CSCS Card Renewal and Application

How to apply, step by step

1. 1

   Pass the right CITB HS&E test

   Your card decides your test. Most cards need the Operatives test; the Supervisory card needs the Specialist Supervisory test; Manager and professional cards need the MAP test. Keep the score report: it carries the test ID number you need for the application.

2. 2

   Get the qualification or evidence

   Nearly every card needs a qualification or proof of registration alongside the test: an NVQ/SVQ certificate, apprenticeship registration, degree certificate or professional-body membership evidence.

3. 3

   Apply via My CSCS or CSCS Online

   Individuals apply through the official My CSCS app. Employers and third parties making bulk applications use CSCS Online. Applications can also be made by phone.

4. 4

   Pay the fee and get your digital card

   The card application fee is £36. Once approved, your digital card is available immediately in the app, the My CSCS 'Digital Skills Passport', with the physical card following in the post.

Step 3 is where the application actually happens. My CSCS is the official CSCS app for individuals, it holds your digital card from the moment an application is approved, and it is also where you renew or replace a card later. Our guide to My CSCS covers what the app does, what it cannot do, and why the physical card still arrives within 10 working days rather than instantly.

Evidence you will need to upload

• A clear photo or scan of your qualification certificate
• Proof of registration where your card requires it (apprenticeship, NVQ/SVQ or training programme)
• Your CITB HS&E test ID number, taken from your score report
• For the Labourer card renewal: the completed renewal declaration form
• For the PQP card: evidence of current professional-body membership

Renewing your card

You can renew from six months before the printed expiry date and for up to a year afterwards, through My CSCS or CSCS Online. Do not leave it: an expired card means no site access, and some cards (Provisional, Experienced Worker and Experienced Technical/Supervisor/Manager) cannot be renewed at all, so you must complete your qualification before they run out. See the red card rules if that applies to you.

Lost, stolen and damaged cards take a different route and keep their original expiry date, which is covered on CSCS card expiry and replacement. If you are not sure whether a card is still valid, you can check a CSCS card before you start an application.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay the full fee again when I renew?

Yes. Renewal is charged at the same £36 as a first application, and the Apprentice card remains the only free one. Whether you also pay the £23.50 CITB HS&E test fee again depends on whether your last pass is still within two years at the point you apply.

When can I renew my CSCS card?

CSCS cards can be renewed from six months before the expiry date printed on the card, and up to one year after it. Outside that window you may need to reapply, and for the Labourer card an appeal with evidence is required if it expired more than a year ago.

Do I have to retake the HS&E test to renew?

Not always. It depends on the card and how long ago you passed. Several cards require a test pass within the last two years at the point of application, and the Labourer card's initial renewal treats the test as valid for three years. Check your card's page before assuming.

How do I replace a lost or damaged CSCS card?

Lost, stolen or broken cards can be replaced through My CSCS or CSCS Online. Your digital card in the My CSCS app also remains available, which is often enough to prove your status on site.