The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card shows that a person has the right skills and qualifications to work safely and effectively on construction sites.
While the CSCS card is widely recognized and valued within the industry, there is often confusion surrounding its legal status. So, is a CSCS card a legal requirement or merely a voluntary accreditation?
Many people have this question, and I’m here to help you figure out the answer.
Is a CSCS card a legal requirement?
So, here’s the deal: You don’t legally need a CSCS card to work in construction in the UK. No law says you must have one. But just because it’s not a legal must-have doesn’t mean it’s not super important. Actually, most contractors require their employees to have one.
Why? Well, think of it like this: Imagine you’re part of a team building something big, like a house or a bridge. You want to make sure everyone knows what they’re doing, right? Well, that’s where the CSCS card comes in handy.
The CSCS card is your way of showing that you’re trained up and ready to handle the job safely. It’s proof that you know your stuff and have the right experience. Having one can really boost your chances of landing a job in construction.
So, while it’s not technically required by law, having this card means that you are genuinely competent for the job, which will undoubtedly increase your chances of being hired if you want to work in construction.
Having this card means that you are genuinely competent for the job, which will undoubtedly increase your chances of being hired if you’re applying.
Ready to Get Your CSCS Green Card?
Ready to Get Your CSCS Green Card?
The CSCS card and its significance in the construction industry
The CSCS (Construction Skill Certification Scheme) card is the leading skills certification scheme for workers and employees in the UK construction industry.
The card proves that a person working on the construction site received appropriate training and qualifications for their job.
It’s physical evidence that you know the basic safety and health standards and possess the proper qualifications to work on a UK construction site. You can compare this to a skill certification or license.
Supporting this claim, Emma from HASpod compared a CSCS card to a driving license. She explained that a CSCS card functions in “a similar way to how a driving license works.” By that, she means that for a person to earn a driver’s license, they need to study the material and pass the necessary test — a process much similar to how you can get a CSCS card.
Much like how a driving license confirms your ability and knowledge in driving, a CSCS card proves your qualifications and training in the construction field.
While the law does not require CSCS cards, you should know that getting one is still a better option. Most building and construction sites still prefer a worker with one compared to one without.
Having employees with CSCS cards means companies can create a culture of safety and competence on the construction site, minimizing accidents on the job.
Legal requirement vs industry standard
A CSCS card is not a legislative nor legal requirement — it’s what you can call an industry standard.
A legal requirement is something you’ve got to do because the law says so. It’s like when you gotta stop at a red light when you’re driving – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
According to legal experts from Activ, this pertains to any ordinance, statute, rule, code, or order enacted, applied, or adopted by governmental authority. In short, a legal requirement means a procedure or order that a company is legally obligated to follow and do.
But guess what? A CSCS card isn’t in that same category. It’s not a law saying you have to have one.
Instead, it’s what we call an industry standard. This is the average to which a particular field and industry governs itself. It’s the way or manner of doing things in a specific field.
In the construction world, having a CSCS card is just the way things are done. It’s like wearing a hard hat on a building site – everyone does it because it’s smart and safe, not because the law says they have to.
In fact, according to Get Licensed, a team of construction advisors, all the big construction companies, like the ones in the UK Contractors Group, have all agreed that having a CSCS card is a big deal. It’s like they’re saying, “If you want to work with us, show us your card.”
While not a legal requirement, most companies and employers still insist on hiring workers with a CSCS card. In fact, some job adverts in construction sites also often include CSCS cards as a qualification.
Consequences of not having a CSCS card
While the law does not require CSCS cards, there is still a great need for them in the industry. These cards allow workers to showcase their construction skills and abilities to clients and contractors considering hiring them.
A CSCS card indicates that a person has met all the requirements and passed all the necessary tests, guaranteeing that they meet the standards and are qualified for the job.
Professional consultant David Cant from Veritas supported this claim by explaining how safety legislations, like the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, require employing contractors or hiring employees that are “competent”. He detailed further that “many employers will require you to have a CSCS card – or an equivalent – to prove that you are trained and qualified.”
Now, what does this mean for those with no CSCS card? Simple — it means fewer career and job opportunities in the construction industry.
The official site for the CSCSC (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) elaborated that most major house builders and principal contractors ask their workers to own a valid CSCS card.
WE CAN HELP YOU GET CHAS ACCREDITED!
Level 1 Award in Health and Safety within the Construction Environment
Designed for workers aspiring to work in the Construction Industry. Successful learners will fulfil requirements to apply for a CSCS labourers card on completion of the course.
Looks at common construction hazards including: manual handling, working at height and working around plant and machinery.
FAQS
Who can apply for a CSCS card?
The CSCS card is available for various construction, operations, supervisory, technical, crafts, and managerial professions. You can instantly and efficiently apply for the card online.
To apply, here are the requirements you need:
- You need a scanned copy of the qualification certificate or proof that you registered to complete a specific recognized construction-related qualification relevant to your occupation. To see if the CSCS accepted your qualification, you can check using the CSCS Card finder.
- Ready your test ID number for your CITB Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E) test.
- Have a debit or credit card to pay the application fee worth £36.
What happens if I work without a CSCS card?
As I said, those that do not have a CSCS card have limited opportunities in the construction field. While it is not impossible to find a job, chances of getting accepted to a large and big-name company or contractor are relatively slim.
Most job adverts tend to include having a CSCS card nowadays — so those that do not have one will undoubtedly struggle more than those who do.
Though, it is essential to note that not all workers in a construction site require the CSCS card.
As the Official Site of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme emphasized, “While all construction workers should hold the relevant CSCS card to access a construction site, people attending site to perform a non-construction related occupation should not be expected to carry a card.”
How often do I need to renew my CSCS card?
How often you need to renew your card will depend entirely on your CSCS card type. There are 13 levels of CSCS cards and six different colours, depending on your skill level. Most cards last at least five years, though some are valid for a shorter time.
So, is a CSCS Card a legal requirement?
So, are CSCS Cards a legal requirement? The simplest answer to this is no.
However, you should know that CSCS cards are an industry standard that most principal contractors, employers, and companies require in their workers. Getting one may seem like a lot of trouble, but I can assure you that a CSCS card can give you the extra edge you need to work in the industry.
The courses we offer at TrainInHealthandSafety.com are available for those who need to get their qualifications. In fact, one of our top courses, the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety within the Construction Environment, is perfect and suitable for those applying for a CSCS Green Labourer Card.
If you don’t mind getting the results in 7 working days, you can avail our cheapest price. For those in a hurry, you can choose to get the results on the same day for an extra payment.
