The CSCS Labourer Initial Card Validity Has Been Reduced to Two Years...
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has shared important updates to the CSCS 'green' labourer card. These changes, coming into effect as of 1st February 2025, will see the validity of a first issued card reduced to two years from the traditional five.
Following the initial two-year period, workers can renew their card for a five-year term upon producing evidence of continuing employment in a labouring role.
Individuals who have held an existing CSCS Labourer card can renew the previous card within one year of expiry with supporting evidence of working within a Labourer role on renewal. If the previous CSCS Labourer card has expired by more than one year, the individual will have to submit an appeal alongside evidence of occupation in a Labourer role to CSCS.
This also means changes for the CITB Health, Safety & Environment test which is now being expanded to a three-year validity. This change supports individuals undergoing card renewals by being able to use the same test result on application.
Why are these changes happening?
As shared by CSCS, these changes support the findings emerging from the Building Safety Act, which places emphasis on how the construction industry legally operates. The Act stipulates that anyone undertaking a construction role, has a legal duty to ensure they are competent to do so, including the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.
Executive Director of Operations for CSCS, Garry Mortimer states "The competence of the construction workforce is at the heart of the Building Safety Act... Our data shows that 85% of labourers do not renew their card and feedback from employers highlights many workers leave the industry long before their labourer card expires."
CSCS state the decision follows an extensive consultation with employers and standard-setting bodies of over 40 sector representative organisations and unions.
You can read more directly on the CSCS website, here.
When do these changes come into effect?
1st February 2025
What happens if I've previously held or currently hold a CSCS Labourer Card?
Applicants can renew an existing card within one year of expiry of the previous card and by providing accepted evidence of employment in a labouring role.
If the previous card has expired by more than one year, applicants will need to submit an appeal to CSCS by providing evidence of employment in a labouring role.
When does an applicant need to provide evidence that they are working as a Labourer?
When applying for a renewal after holding the initial two-year Labourer card (evidence is not required on first application).
And/ or when applying for a five-year Labourer card after having previously held a Labourer card which has not been expired for more than a year.
What happens to my current CSCS Labourer Card?
Individuals who currently hold a CSCS Labourer card will remain valid until their expiry, which can then be renewed for another five years on meeting application criteria (qualification, CITB HS&E test & evidence of working in a Labourer role).
What evidence do I require to prove I am working as a Labourer?
The evidence can be in the form of the CSCS Labourer declaration form or a letter from your employer on company headed paper. The evidence must be submitted as part of your CSCS card application and not provided separately.
