CSCS Blue Card

Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card
CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card

The Blue Skilled Worker card is for those with an NVQ or SVQ or who have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate. This card is valid for five years.

The Craft Unit Level Blue Card is for occupations where a full NVQ or SVQ does not exist, but you have passed trade specific units. This card is also valid for five years.

See here for a full list of craft occupations covered by the scheme.

If you do not have these qualifications, but you are experienced in your job you may apply for a Red Experienced Worker Card

Blue Card Routes

NVQ or SVQ Route – for achievers of an NVQ or SVQ Level 1, 2 or 3, whose occupation is covered by CSCS and who have met current CSCS health and safety requirements.

NVQ or SVQ Unit Route – for occupations where a full NVQ or SVQ does not exist, but trade specific units do.

Apprenticeship Route – apprentices who were not indentured with an approved body, but completed an informal apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds Craft Certificate

Applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. Apply for either card with the Craft Application Form

Q&A

Allan – I have a gold card level 3 I want a blue skilled card do I need to take a test or not? READ MORE…

No, you don’t need to do the test again until you need to renew the Gold card.

Richard – Dear cscs, i completed what i would deem to be an informal apprenticeship in enfield technical services when i was in my early 20s. I then completed a city and guilds course for refrigeration and air conditioning at a business training center which marked the end of my training. I know the outcome of the course included acrib registration and eventually went on to assesments under construction cards. I am personally having a hell of a time tracing the missing certificate from those long since passed days as i am now nearly 40 years old. In 2012 i completed the 2079-11 cat 1, i also did the hydrocarbon course and have boc and agas cards. I believe my pasma card is due to expire this year. My frustration with acrib over this has been on going especially as they refuse the informal apprenticeship now. It still says in the notes on the blue skill card that it is accepted with a relevant c&g qualification. I have been given the option of the eal level 3 distance assesment but this is going to cost 2000 pounds. I have re emailed city and guilds in the hope they can trace this missing certificate but what i don’t understand is according to the description of the card i fit the criteria. Perhaps you can offer some advice as I’ve met a terminal dead end with acrib. READ MORE…

Firstly, I have nothing to do with CSCS; I will try and answer any queries but, ultimately, you will have to ask them directly for a definative answer.

The organisation (CSCS) is bureaucracy with a tick-box mentality; many of the staff do not have English as a first language and very few (if any) have any experience in the construction industry. However, since the card scheme has been adopted by so many large employers, you have the choice of complying with the system or taking a chance that someone, somewhere will be sufficiently engaged to give you a chance.

Your only option may well be to pay for the course. The cost is tax-deductible, of course and there may be help available in the form of a grant of low interest loan. Contact your local chamber of commerce and job centre (or whatever they are called these days) and ask if they are aware of any schemes available (sometimes there are but are not widely publicised).

Also, if you are currently unemployed, or claiming benefits, it may be possible to get further assistance. I know for a fact that unemployed people get a lot of help getting CSCS cards because it’s seen as an expedient way of getting people ‘off the books’.


Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists 2019 : GT100/19 (Health, safety and environment test for operatives and specialists: GT100/19) Paperback

Offical CITB Revison Material

Contains everything you need to know about booking, preparing for and sitting the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Operatives and Specialists