How to get a blue CSCS card

For those tradespeople who have been working in the construction field for a while, you’re likely already familiar with a variety of different additional certifications and competent person schemes that you can apply for to further bolster your trade qualifications – such as the cards provided by the UK’s Construction Skills Certification (CSCS) scheme.

A widely recognised competency benchmark for those working in construction, a CSCS card is a fantastic way to demonstrate to potential employers and customers that you have the training and skills necessary to do your job to a high standard, and it’s an absolute must for those construction workers with several years’ experience or just completing their apprenticeship.

However, if you’re yet to acquire a CSCS card of any kind, you might not be sure where to start – after all, there are many different types of CSCS cards available. ur guide below outlines how to get a blue CSCS card and whether it’s the right option for you.

What is a blue CSCS card?

A blue CSCS card is a mid-level card within the overall CSCS framework. Holding one demonstrates that you’re a skilled construction worker in your field of expertise (roofing, tiling, bricklaying, etc) and that you have the training necessary to carry out your work to the expected UK standards.

Not only that, but a blue CSCS card also shows that you have a clear understanding of the health and safety requirements needed for your role and that you can be trusted to spot and address construction site hazards as and when they appear.

How does a blue CSCS card differ from other CSCS cards?

While all CSCS are related to working in the construction industry in one way or another, a blue CSCS card stands out as the main card requirement for experienced construction workers in particular.

Simply put, a blue CSCS card highlights you as an individual who holds certain specific construction qualifications, unlike a green card which identifies you as a non-skilled labourer, or a red card, which may identify the holder as either an apprentice, an experienced but non-qualified worker, or similar.

It’s also an essential card to hold if you wish to acquire more advanced CSCS cards in the future, such as a gold card for those workers with Level 3 NVQs or anyone seeking a construction supervisory position.

Who is eligible for a blue CSCS card?

Blue CSCS cards can be attained by anyone who holds an NVQ Level 2 construction qualification or similar, or by anyone who has recently completed a CSCS-recognised apprenticeship scheme.

On top of this, applicants must be at least 16 years of age or older and be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of site health and safety by completing a CITB health and safety course prior to, or during, the CSCS application process.

What are the benefits of having a blue CSCS card?

Although not a legal requirement to obtain, there are a variety of benefits that come with owning a blue CSCS card, many of which can improve both your employment prospects and your income potential, especially if you’re interested in starting your own construction company or a construction-adjacent business down the line:

• Skill confirmation – first and foremost, and as we’ve already mentioned, one of the core blue CSCS card benefits is that it shows employers and customers that you are a competent tradesperson with the skills required to do their job properly. Not only does this make employment easier for anyone looking to become a builder post-apprenticeship, but if you do decide to run your own construction trade business, having this sort of card to hand will go a long way to making you more credible in the eyes of potential customers.
• Additional work opportunities – while not all construction jobs require you to hold a blue CSCS card to operate, a substantial number of companies won’t work with a construction worker or business that lacks CSCS card qualifications. Therefore, by acquiring the relevant CSCS card, you can maximise the amount of available work and potential job roles available to you in your local area.
• Promotion signals – given that a CSCS card proves that you’ve put the time and effort to learn the essential skills needed for your trade, it automatically flags you as a good candidate for future promotion for your employer, and such a promotion may come sooner than those without a CSCS card.
• Higher salary levels – although not always the case, those with a blue CSCS card are typically seen as more employable individuals by construction companies, and could potentially earn a higher salary than other non-CSCS card members working in the same role.

How to apply for a blue CSCS card

The best way to apply for a blue CSCS card is to do so online through the official application process on the CSCS website. The process is designed to be quick and simple, and you won’t have to pay any additional fees that may come with applying for your card elsewhere.

Once your application is complete, it can then take up to 48 hours to process, at which point you will be provided with a digital card that you can access immediately, as well as a physical card that will be delivered to your specified address within 5 working days.

What qualifications do I need for a blue CSCS card?

As we mentioned above, in order to qualify for a blue CSCS card, you will need a Level 2 NVQ construction qualification or an equivalent diploma from a UK-recognised training programme,  or be part of a CSCS-recognised apprenticeship scheme.

Alongside this, we’d recommend completing your CITB health and safety course prior to completing your application to avoid any additional associated application costs, as well as having a scanned digital copy of your construction qualification to hand so that you can provide it upon request.

How long is a blue CSCS card valid for?

Once your CSCS card application has been approved, your blue CSCS card will be valid for up to 5 years, at which point you will need to get your application renewed in a similar manner as before.

How much is a blue CSCS card?

At the time of writing, the application process for a blue CSCS card costs £36. However, this is a one-time payment and there are no additional monthly costs or fees to worry about – with the exception of the cost associated with completing your CITB health and safety course during the application process if you’re yet to do so already.

Show your credibility as a Trusted Trader

With all the important points covered, you should hopefully now have a much better understanding of what a blue CSCS card is, and whether or not it’s the right CSCS card for you.

Again, it’s not a legal requirement to have a CSCS card as a construction worker, but at the end of the day, the blue CSCS card price is a small sum to pay when compared to the benefits it offers in both credibility and employment potential – all of which make it well worth the investment in our opinion.

Of course, if you’re running your own trade business, then a card like this is just one way of showing customers that you have the skills needed to do your job properly, and you might also want to consider becoming a Which? Trusted Trader as well.

As a Trusted Trader, customers immediately know that you’ve passed our rigorous vetting scheme, meaning that your business is one that delivers consistent and high-quality work. Not only that, but you’ll get access to your own business page to display examples of your work and previous customer reviews.

Get in touch today to find out more about our sign-up process, and don’t forget to visit our trade hub for more informative guides like this one – such as the essential insurance to have as a builder.