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How long does a CSCS card last?
How long a card lasts, and whether it can be renewed, depends on the card type. Check the date printed on your card, and the CSCS page for your card, before you apply.
Blue Skilled Worker
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
Yes
Gold Skilled Worker
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
Yes
Supervisory
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
Yes
Manager
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
Yes
Academically Qualified Person
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
Yes
Professionally Qualified Person
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
No. Apply for a new card when it expires
Labourer
How long it lasts
2 years on first issue
Can it be renewed?
Yes, while you still work as a labourer (see below)
Apprentice
How long it lasts
4 years and 6 months
Can it be renewed?
No
Trainee
How long it lasts
5 years
Can it be renewed?
No
Two-year Trainee
How long it lasts
2 years
Can it be renewed?
No. You can then get a three-year Trainee card with evidence of NVQ or SVQ registration, or a recognised alternative. That card can't be renewed
Industry Placement
How long it lasts
2 years
Can it be renewed?
No
Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager
How long it lasts
3 years
Can it be renewed?
No
Experienced Worker
How long it lasts
1 year
Can it be renewed?
No
Provisional
How long it lasts
6 months
Can it be renewed?
No
When can I renew my CSCS card?
You can renew a CSCS card from six months before the expiry date printed on it, up to a year after that date.
After that year, you can't renew it. You'd need to apply for a card again.
A lost, stolen or broken card is replaced through a separate process, not a renewal.
What do I need to renew my CSCS card?
The right card for your job now. If you've changed role or gained a new qualification, you may need a different card instead of a renewal.
A recent CITB test. For most renewable cards, you need to have passed the right CITB test within the last two years:
Blue or Gold Skilled Worker
The appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test
Supervisory
The CITB Specialist Supervisory test
Manager
The CITB Managers and Professionals test
Academically Qualified Person
The CITB Managers and Professionals test, or the CIC Health and Safety Test, plus evidence of your construction qualification
Your qualification. Skilled, supervisory and manager renewals use the construction qualification from your previous application. For some occupations, CSCS asks for a copy of the qualification certificate and will contact you if it needs one.
The first Labourer card lasts two years. If you still work in a labouring role, you can renew it for five years by completing the Labourer card renewal declaration form. When you renew that first two-year card, your CITB health, safety and environment test can be up to three years old. If you held a Labourer card from before February 2025, check the CSCS Labourer card page, because different rules apply.
How to renew your CSCS card, step by step
- Check the expiry date on your card, and that your card type can be renewed (see the table above).
- Check the card still matches your job. If it doesn't, you may need a new card instead.
- Check when you passed your CITB test. If it's more than two years ago, book and pass it again before you renew.
- Renew in the My CSCS app. CSCS says the app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for or renew a card. Employers and training providers can also renew for you through CSCS Online.
- Send a copy of your qualification certificate if CSCS asks for it.
Watch out for paid middlemen: Apply through CSCS directly. CSCS has warned that some websites, which aren't connected to CSCS, use the official service on your behalf and add an admin fee.
What if my CSCS card has expired?
If it expired less than a year ago, and your card type can be renewed, you can still renew it in the usual way.
If it expired more than a year ago, it can no longer be renewed, so you'll need to apply for a card again.
If you need to work on site while you renew, ask your employer or site manager what they'll accept in the meantime.
Keep your cards and certificates in one place, with reminders
SkillProof Personal keeps your CSCS card, your CITB test date and your other cards and certificates in one place, with an automatic email reminder before each one expires. Reminders are on from the start: before it's due, and if it runs out.
Add your card's expiry date once, and your test date too, so you can see whether the test will still be within two years when it's time to renew.
When a new site or agency asks for your cards, share a secure link instead of sending photos. You choose what they see and how long the link lasts, with an optional PIN.
£9.99 a month or £59.88 a year. Nothing is added to the price shown. Free for 14 days, no card needed.
SkillProof doesn't check, issue or renew CSCS cards, and it isn't connected to CSCS. To check a card, use CSCS Smart Check. Records you share show what you entered.
Managing cards for a team? See how to check a CSCS card and SkillProof for construction and facilities.
Official guidance used for this guide
Checked
CSCS guidance used for this article. Card rules change, so always check the CSCS page for your card before you apply.
Questions this guide answers
How long does a CSCS card last?
It depends on the card. Blue and Gold Skilled Worker, Supervisory, Manager, Academically Qualified Person and Professionally Qualified Person cards last five years. A first Labourer card lasts two years. The Experienced Worker card lasts one year and the Provisional card six months.
When can I renew my CSCS card?
From six months before the expiry date on the card, up to a year after it.
Can I renew an expired CSCS card?
Yes, if it expired less than a year ago and your card type can be renewed. After a year, you'll need to apply for a card again.
Do I need to retake the CITB test to renew?
For most renewable cards, yes, if your last pass was more than two years ago. Skilled worker cards need the appropriate Health, Safety and Environment test, Supervisory cards the Specialist Supervisory test and Manager cards the Managers and Professionals test.
Which CSCS cards can't be renewed?
Apprentice, Trainee, Two-year Trainee, Industry Placement, Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager, Experienced Worker and Provisional cards. A Professionally Qualified Person card is replaced with a new application.
How do I renew my CSCS card?
In the My CSCS app, which CSCS says is the quickest way, or through your employer or training provider using CSCS Online.