What a CSCS card actually evidences
A CSCS card shows that the holder has an appropriate qualification for their role and has passed the relevant health, safety and environment test. It is not a licence to do any task on any site, and it is not a substitute for your own induction, RAMS briefing or task-specific training records.
The card colours at a glance
| Card | Who holds it | Typical validity |
|---|---|---|
| Green (labourer) | General site operatives | 5 years |
| Blue (skilled worker) | Qualified trade at NVQ level 2 | 5 years |
| Gold (advanced craft or supervisor) | NVQ level 3 trades and supervisors | 5 years |
| Black (manager) | Site and contracts managers | 5 years |
| White (professionally qualified) | Chartered and professionally qualified staff | 5 years |
| Red (temporary) | Trainees, apprentices, experienced workers in progress | Short-dated, often 1 to 3 years |
| Provisional or visitor | Short-term or non-working access | Very short, site-specific rules apply |
How to verify a card properly
- Scan the card or check the number through the official CSCS Smart Check route rather than eyeballing the print.
- Confirm the name on the card matches photo ID for the person standing in front of you.
- Check the card is in date, and note how far out the expiry is so you can plan the renewal.
- Confirm the card type is right for the work. A green labourer card does not evidence a skilled trade.
- Record the card number, scheme, type, expiry and who performed the check.
- Store the record against the subcontractor, not just in the site diary, so it survives the project.
What a check does not tell you
A valid card says nothing about plant tickets, hot works permits, asbestos awareness, first aid cover or whether the operative has read today's method statement. Treat the card as the entry check and keep the task-specific evidence separately against the same person.
- Plant and machinery tickets are separate schemes with their own expiry dates.
- Right to work checks are a legal obligation and a CSCS card is not evidence of them.
- Site induction and RAMS briefing records still need signing on the day.
Recording checks so they hold up
The point of a card check is being able to show, months later, that the person on site that day was carded. A photo in someone's phone will not do that. Record the card number, the scheme, the expiry date, the check date and the checker, against the subcontractor's record. Credbase holds these alongside the subcontractor's insurance, RAMS and training certificates so a client asking for site evidence gets one link instead of an archaeology project.
Frequently asked questions
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