Contents
With health and safety a priority for every industry, the plumbing sector has adopted the CSCS card as a multi-purpose health and safety measure for UK plumbers. First used by the UK construction industry, CSCS cards have proved to be a great way to evidence workers’ skills and suitability to operate in role safely.
If you have worked on a UK building site before and your last project on-site was carried out after 1995, you will have had a CSCS card in the past.
CSCS cards have been in place since 1995 and you can’t work on a UK building site without one. Indeed, the streamlined verification CSCS cards provide, means they’re being adopted across a range of sectors.
Here’s everything you need to know about CSCS cards for plumbers.
What is a CSCS card for plumber?
CSCS cards were introduced in 1995 under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. The scheme was established by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to help to reduce the high number of accidents on building sites.
To get a CSCS card for a plumber you will need to use the CSCS card finder tool to check which card you qualify for. There are different types of cards, for different skills, I’ll explain which are most popularly applied to plumbers below.
How to apply for a CSCS card for plumbers
To apply for a CSCS card for a plumber you will need to take a test called a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The test consists of 50 questions designed to check you have the right level of health and knowledge to carry out the role you are applying for safely.
Once you pass the test, you can complete the application for your plumber’s CSCS card online or over the phone. You can re-take the test if you don’t pass and practice tests online before taking the real thing. The CITB test lasts for 45 minutes and there are different levels of tests to match the various levels of cards. Take a CSCS mock test for plumbers.
It will cost you £49.50 in total to get a CSCS card. The card itself, costs £30 and the test, £19.50. You can take the CITB test up to two years before you apply for your CSCS card. More about the test
You can apply for a plumber’s CSCS card on the CSCS website or via JIB who have launched the JIB UK-PHMES CSCS scheme to support applications from the plumbing industry.
Most plumbers will get a blue CSCS card or a gold CSCS card unless they are working at a management level. CSCS cards for managers are black or white. You will need to provide pre-specified proof of eligibility for your chosen card when you apply.
Here’s what the card colours mean and who can apply for each:
Blue CSCS card for plumbers
A blue CSCS card verifies you as a skilled worker. Blue CSCS cards need to be renewed every 5 years. The usual requirements for a blue card are an NVQ/ SVQ Level 2 or a nationally recognised apprenticeship in a directly related subject. However, you should check the specific requirements for you as a plumber on the CSCS or JIB website, you may qualify for a different card.
Gold CSCS card for plumbers
Gold CSCS cards are the next level up. They can be applied for if you currently work in a supervisory role or have specialist industry skills. You can also take a second CITB Specialist test to demonstrate your skills in a particular area of the industry.
To apply for a gold CSCS card, you usually need to have an:
- NVQ/ SVQ Level 3 for Occupational Work Supervision or a related subject at a supervisory or technical level
or
- an NVQ/ SVQ Level 4 for a related subject at a supervisory or technical level.
Use the card finder tool on the CSCS or JIB website to check whether a gold CSCS card is right for you. Gold cards must be renewed every 5 years
Black or White CSCS card for plumbers
Black and white CSCS cards are for managers. Applications for black or white cards are assessed with a CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.
Black CSCS cards are awarded to those who have practical qualifications for leadership in the form of an NVQ or SVQ for the following:
- NVQ or SVQ Level 4 in industry management
- SVQ Level 4 in a technical industry-related subject
- NVQ or SVQ Level 5,6 or 7 in industry management or a technical industry-related subject
White CSCS cards are for those who have completed the following academic qualifications. You may either apply for an Academically Qualified Person Card or a Professionally Qualified Person Card.
For an Academically Qualified Person Card you will need to have:
- Degree
- HND
- HNC
- CIOB certificate
- NEBOSH diploma
For a Professionally Qualified Person Card you will need to be a competence assessed member of a CSCS-approved professional body. When you apply for the card, you will be asked to provide multiple documents to show you are currently a paying member.
Check the CSCS or JIB website to verify which card is right for your specific plumbing skills.
Trainees, Apprentices & More
There are other CSCS cards for: trainee plumbers, other workers, apprentice plumbers, those on placement and more.