cscs Archives - Raeburn Training

If you are planning to work on a construction site in the UK, holding a valid CSCS card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) is essential. The CSCS card proves that you have the required training, qualifications and awareness of health and safety to do your job safely and responsibly.

In this guide, we will explain the steps to get your CSCS card, the types of Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) tests available, and what qualifications you need depending on the card you are applying for.

Step 1: Understand Which CSCS Card You Need

There are several types of CSCS cards, each designed for different job roles. Choosing the correct card depends on your qualifications, experience and the type of work you will be doing. You can use the CSCS Card Finder to check which card you need, or get in touch with our team.

Here are the most common CSCS cards:

Green Labourer Card for general site workers
Blue Skilled Worker Card for those with a relevant NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
Gold Advanced Craft Card for those with an NVQ Level 3 in a specific trade
Gold Supervisor Card for supervisory roles with the appropriate qualifications
Black Managers Card for those in site management roles
Red Cards for trainees, apprentices and experienced workers without qualifications
White Cards for academically or professionally qualified individuals

Step 2: Take the Right CSCS Test

Before you can apply for any CSCS card, you must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test, commonly referred to as the CSCS test. The type of test you need will depend on the role you are applying for.

The Three Main Types of CSCS Tests:

Operatives Test
Required for Green Labourer Card, Trainee Card and most Blue Skilled Worker Cards
Covers basic health, safety and environmental awareness
Specialists Test
Required for Skilled Worker, Advanced Craft and Supervisor Cards in specific trades
Covers core safety topics plus trade-specific knowledge
Managers and Professionals (MAP) Test
Required for Black Managers Card and Academically Qualified Persons Card
Covers core topics plus managerial and professional responsibilities on site

Step 3: Obtain the Required Qualification

In addition to passing the appropriate CSCS test, most cards require you to hold a recognised qualification. If you require support in gaining an SVQ, please get in touch with our team and we can direct you to the relevant providers.

Common Qualifications Include:

For the Green Labourer Card
You must complete an approved health and safety course such as:
- CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course
- REHIS Elementary Health and Safety
- SQA Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
For the Blue Skilled Worker Card
NVQ or SVQ Level 2 in a relevant trade or occupation
For the Gold Advanced Craft or Supervisor Card
NVQ or SVQ Level 3
For the Black Managers Card
NVQ Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 in construction management or a related field
For White Cards (Professionally or Academically Qualified Persons)
Degree, HND/HNC or professional body membership

Step 4: Apply for Your CSCS Card

Once you have passed the correct test and gained the necessary qualification you can apply for your CSCS card. This can be done via the official CSCS website, by calling their application line or Raeburn Training can make the application on your behalf (please request this at the time of booking).

To make your application you will need:

Proof of your qualification
Your CITB HS&E test ID number
A digital photo
Payment for the application fee

Tips for Success

Prepare for the test: Revision books and apps are available, or as us about our CSCS preparation courses.
Choose the correct test: If you are unsure which qualification you need, ask your employer or contact our team.
Do not delay renewals: Most CSCS cards are valid for five years. Make sure to renew before yours expires. First time green labourer cards are only valid for two years - find out more.

Conclusion

Getting your CSCS card is a crucial step to building a safe and successful career in construction. By understanding which card and test you need and ensuring you have the right qualifications, you will be well on your way to getting on site and getting to work.

If you are ready to book your CSCS test or take an approved training course, Raeburn Training can help guide you through the process from start to finish. Get in touch with our team on 01592 724 797 or email [email protected].

The CITB Health, Safety and Environment test (also referred to as the CSCS Touch Screen test) was developed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as a way for workers to prove their knowledge of maintaining health and safety on a construction site. The test is for both existing workers and those looking to join the industry. The aim is to check a learner's knowledge over a range of health and safety topics. This shows contractors that workers have the knowledge of how to be safe on-site, both in terms of their own safety and that of others around them.

Which CSCS test should I take?

CSCS touch screen test can be taken in one of three categories:

Operative – tests for a basic level of health, safety and environmental awareness. This test is required when applying for the Labourer card, the Trainee card, the Apprentice card, most Blue Skilled Worker cards and most Gold Advanced Craft cards.
Manager and Professional – covers the basic level of health, safety and environmental awareness per the operative test, plus additional material relevant to managers and professionals. This test is required when applying for the Black Managers card and the Academically or Professionally Qualified person cards.
Specialist – covers the basic level of health, safety and environmental awareness per the operative test, plus additional material relating to a specialist area such as supervision or working at heights. Specialist tests are required when applying for the Gold Supervisor card, as well as Blue Skilled Worker and Gold Advanced Craft cards in certain occupations.

CSCS Health Safety and Environment tests (touch screen tests) can be booked by calling the office or check our available and book direct on our website.

What does the CSCS test involve?

Please be aware - due to changes in the rules set out by CITB, Tests now need to be registered at least 48 hours prior to your Test time. This means, unfortunately, we are unable to take same-day or next-day bookings. In order to book your test, we need your name, email address, date of birth, national insurance number, home address and contact number. This is required for every individual candidate, in order to register their Test.

The HS&E Test is made up of 50 questions covering five core knowledge areas:

legal and management
health and welfare
general safety
high risk activities
environment

Candidates have 45 minutes to answer the 50 questions. The test now includes new question styles. Behavioural case studies are also used in the test to check a candidate's understanding of health, safety and environmental issues, and how to behave safely on-site.

The pass mark for the Operatives and Specialists tests is 90%. To pass, you need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly. The pass mark for the Managers and Professionals test is 92%. To pass, you need to answer at least 46 out of 50 questions correctly.

There are voiceover options available in English for all tests for those more comfortable with audio alongside written text. You can also request voiceover in Bulgarian, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.

How to prepare for your CSCS test?

There are many ways you can prepare for your CSCS test, the important point to note is to actually do it!

You can download the CITB: Op/Spec or CITB: MAP app from the App Store or Google Play. The apps offer revision packs and mock tests for you to complete.
There is a range of material available from CITB, including videos, books, etc, check out the link for more information https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/health-safety-and-environment-hse-test-and-cards/preparing-for-the-test/
For those taking the Operatives test, you can attend a course at Raeburn Training. We run CSCS Preparation Courses every month. They are a tutor led session, which uses the app as an interactive teaching tool.

What to expect on the day?

You must bring photographic ID with you. You will not be able to take the test without providing ID. You can find a list of accepted forms of ID here.

The process is the same for first timers and those renewing their cards. You will be collected from reception and taken to our Internet Test Centre. Please be aware you will be under audio and video CCTV at all times in the Test centre. One of our invigilators will then carry out some registration tasks. This involves taking a copy of your ID, a couple of signatures and a photograph. All personal items, such as phones, smart watches, keys and coats will be placed in a secure locker. Your pockets must be empty.

Once all the candidates are registered, you will then commence the test. This is just like any exam – in silence and with a time limit. There is an optional 15-minute tutorial which can be taken before the test, which shows you how to answer the different styles of questions. You are not marked on your answers in the tutorial, it doesn't matter if you choose the wrong answer. If you have revised using official CSCS books or app then you will be familiar with all the questions and with the format they are presented in.

Once you have completed your test, please sit quietly and wait for the other candidates to finish. Please do not turn around and watch other candidates screens while they finish. There is an optional 15-minute survey at the end of the test, all about your experience of the CSCS test and how you revised for it.

Your score report will print out automatically in our office. Once everyone has finished the test, you will be taken through one at a time to collect your score report and find out if you passed!

What if I fail my test?

You can rebook to undertake the test again, bookings must allow for 72 hours between test slots.

If I pass, can I apply for my CSCS card?

You can apply for a CSCS card directly on the CITB website - https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/. In most cases, a qualification is also required to be uploaded along with the code from the test certificate.

Raeburn Training can help candidates with their CSCS green labourer card applications when they undertake their test and required training with us. We recommend that this training is undertaken before the test and if you are applying for a green labourer card, it is necessary to complete a H&S course prior to applying for a CSCS card each time, even if you have held a green card before.