WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BLUE CSCS CARDS

GETTING A BLUE CSCS CARD CAN HELP YOU SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN IT COMES TO GROWING YOUR CONSTRUCTION CAREER.

If you’re working in the construction trade in the UK, you’ll know how important CSCS cards have become. CSCS cards are your way to prove how competent you are at your occupational area, and demonstrate your years of experience. It’s important for everyone in the industry to have the most accurate CSCS card that displays their skills, so that they can get more work.

Blue CSCS cards are for skilled construction workers who have achieved their Level 2 NVQ in their chosen occupational area, such as bricklaying or groundworking. This card is for skilled workers who have a few years experience. It is one below the gold CSCS card, which is for highly skilled workers who can also work as supervisors.

If you have achieved a blue CSCS card through industry accreditation, after 2024, you will no longer be able to renew this card. Grandfather rights are ending – which means you will have to get an NVQ level 2 qualification if you want to keep working with your blue card.

Blue CSCS cards are valid for five years – so if your renewal is coming up and you don’t have a Level 2 construction NVQ, you need to make sure that you’re starting your assessment soon. If you don’t achieve your NVQ, you might end up not being able to have a blue CSCS card, meaning you lose access to certain jobs.

If you really need a blue CSCS card for your career, we can help put you in the right direction. Here is everything you need to know about achieving your blue CSCS card and how it can transform your career in construction.

What does a blue CSCS card mean?

A blue CSCS card means that you’re competent in your occupational area. It’s one below a gold CSCS card, so it doesn’t qualify you to be a supervisor – however, it demonstrates that you are a skilled worker. For many jobs in construction, you will be required to show evidence of your competency to be able to work in that role. This becomes much easier when you have your blue CSCS card. 

Once you have got your blue CSCS card, you can grow your career in construction and start earning more. Getting your blue card can help you work your way up to gold or black cards, helping you develop your career in construction. 

Getting a blue CSCS card could be a crucial step in furthering your career in construction. 

How are gold and blue CSCS cards different? 

Gold CSCS cards are for workers who have a Level 3 NVQ in their chosen occupational area, while blue CSCS cards are awarded to those with a Level 2 qualification. While a gold card also qualifies you to supervise other workers on-site, a blue CSCS card just demonstrates that you’re skilled in your role. Blue CSCS cards are a great way to prove that you’re competent in your occupation, and are also a great stepping stone if you want to achieve your gold card.

Many workers just want to get their blue CSCS card as they don’t want to be a supervisor – and we help hundreds of workers get their blue cards so they can keep working in their chosen role. Blue CSCS cards are a great way to prove your competency, earn more money, and take your career to the next level.

Who needs a blue CSCS card? 

Construction workers who have a few years experience are able to get their Level 2 NVQ and their blue CSCS card. If you want to achieve your level 2 NVQ with us, you won’t need a Level 1 qualification – however, you will need a few years of experience in your chosen occupational area. 

Even if you have many years of experience, you now need to get your NVQ if you want to get a blue CSCS card. – this is because industry accreditation has now ended. If you want to get your Level 2 qualification with us, we can help you get it through on-site assessment in a couple of weeks or months – this means you won’t have to take time away from work! 

If you have a few years of experience,  you could be eligible for your level 2 NVQ – meaning you can get a blue CSCS card. Depending on where you live and work, you could be able to access NVQ funding – meaning you could end up getting your NVQ for free, or at a low cost. For more information about getting your blue CSCS card with us – get in contact with us here. 

Can I get a blue CSCS card without an NVQ?

No, not anymore. When CSCS cards were first introduced, you could achieve your CSCS card through a system called industry accreditation. This system meant that previous bosses could verify your competency and skills through testimony and providing pictures of finished jobs that you had worked on. This ended in 2010 – however, grandfather rights were brought in. This meant that anyone who had achieved a blue CSCS card through industry accreditation could still renew their card, even if no more were issued. 

Grandfather rights end in 2024. This means that even if you were initially issued a blue CSCS card under Industry Accreditation, you will no longer be able to renew it. To keep working with a blue CSCS card, you now need to have a Level 2 NVQ in your occupational role.

What qualifications do I need for a blue CSCS card?

To get your blue CSCS card, you will need to achieve your Level 2 NVQ in your chosen occupational role. Now that grandfather rights have ended, you will no longer be able to renew a blue CSCS card if you got it through industry accreditation. With DMR, you can achieve your level 2 qualification through on-site assessment, so you don’t have to take time away from work. We can also help you access learner support throughout your NVQ, helping you get your blue CSCS card. 

How do I apply for a blue CSCS card?

Once you have achieved this qualification, you can apply for your blue CSCS card online through the CSCS website. By making an account and following the instructions which will include uploading a digital copy of your qualification certificate, you will register yourself and be able to get your blue CSCS card. 

However, getting the level 2 NVQ that is now a requirement to apply for your blue CSCS card can take a while. Even with on-site assessment, we recommend that your level 2 NVQ should take a couple of months. If you really need to get your NVQ,  it can sometimes be completed in a couple of weeks, meaning that you can get your blue CSCS card a lot sooner.

You should work towards the NVQ at your own pace – at DMR, we are here to support you no matter the pace you want to work towards.

Why you should get your blue CSCS card 

There are many benefits to getting your blue CSCS card – and it starts by getting your level 2 NVQ. When you choose DMR, you can get your NVQ through on-site assessment, making the whole process easier for you. Through our learner support and amazing assessors, we are always on hand to make sure that all of our learners have the support they need. 

When you get your Level 2 NVQ certificate, you will be able to apply for your blue CSCS card – boosting your career and helping you gain access to better jobs. Start the process towards getting your blue CSCS card with us today! 

 

Need extra help?

If you need extra support in applying for a CSCS blue card, visit the CSCS website or call them on 0344 994 4777.

Are you looking to get your blue CSCS card but don’t have a level 2 NVQ? You’ve come to the right place! Here at DMR, we are well-versed in providing NVQs to construction workers who need to get their blue CSCS card. If that sounds good to you, visit our NVQ Assessment page for more information about taking an NVQ with us.

Not sure which CSCS card you need? Click here for all of our information about the different types of CSCS cards and what you need to do in order to get them.

Where can I apply for a blue CSCS card?

If you want to apply for a blue CSCS card, you must do so from the official Construction Skills Certification Scheme website. There is no other way to get a valid CSCS blue card. In order to be able to apply for a blue CSCS card, you will need your level 2 NVQ qualification in your occupational body (such as bricklaying, joinery, etc.) If you want to be able to get your CSCS blue card by getting your level 2 NVQ qualification, we can help you with our funded and commercial NVQs. Please get in touch today if you’re looking for help getting your CSCS blue card.

When do I need to renew my CSCS blue card?

It’s important that all CSCS cards are renewed in a timely manner, so you can always prove your skill level when on-site. The CSCS blue card has to be renewed every 5 years. However, this does not mean that you will have to retake your level 2 NVQ qualification. It does mean that you will have to take your CITB Health and Safety test again before you can renew your blue CSCS card.

Do you provide a CSCS blue card course?

If you need to get your Blue CSCS card, we might be able to help you get it. We provide on-site NVQ assessments, so if you’re already working in your occupational area and need a qualification to prove your skills, get in touch with us today. Grandfather rights are ending in 2024, which means that you will now need your NVQ in order to get a CSCS blue card. We can provide funded and commercial NVQs to help you get your blue CSCS card, so make sure to get in touch today if you want to upskill and further your construction career.

How much is a blue CSCS card?

Applying for a CSCS blue card costs £36 – however, getting your NVQ Level 2 can also cost money. However, here at DMR Training, we are able to provide a variety of funded construction Level 2 NVQs that will help you get your CSCS blue card for a fraction of the cost. You could be eligible for NVQ funding to help you get your blue CSCS card today. To find out if you’re eligible for NVQ funding to get your blue CSCS card, get in touch with us now. 

How to get a blue CSCS card without NVQ?

Previously, you used to be able to get CSCS cards through something called ‘Grandfather rights.’ This meant that someone could come and witness your work on-site and grant you the blue CSCS card through observation. However, this is ending and is no longer relevant for blue CSCS cards. This means that you can’t get your CSCS blue card without a level 2 NVQ in your occupational area. If you need to get your level 2 construction NVQ, we can help you – contact us today to find out if you’re eligible for NVQ funding.