How much is a CSCS card?
No matter what CSCS card you are applying for there is a flat-rate cost of £36. In addition to this cost, you will also need to pay for the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test (commonly known as the CSCS Test) which is a requirement for all of the CSCS cards. This test costs £22.50. Take a CSCS mock test here.
There are numerous organisations online which offer to process your CSCS card application for you. Make sure that you check the costs associated with this, and what additional services they are offering, as the application for a card can be done by yourself through the CSCS directly and is a straightforward process.
CSCS card renewal
You may already be a holder of a CSCS card but the time has come to renew the card (the expiry date can be found on the front of the card). Some CSCS cards last for 5 years while others are valid for 3 years or even 1 year depending on the card so make sure you keep an eye on the expiry date.
The time period for renewals is 6 months leading up to the expiry date of your card, and 6 months after the expiry date has passed. If you apply for your CSCS card before the expiry date has passed, the expiry date on your new card will be calculated from the original expiry date, not the date that you applied for the renewal (so you are not penalised for being organised).
The renewal process is similar to the initial application process for a card as you will need to provide evidence of the qualifications you have in order to meet the requirements to access the card you are renewing. You will also need to take the relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test again to show that you are fully up-to-date with health and safety regulations on a construction site. If you have changed occupations since you applied for your previous card you must inform CSCS of this.
Once you have all of this information together you can call the CSCS Contact Centre on 0344 994 4777 to process your renewal and to pay the £36 required for the new card (so make sure you have your debit or credit card to hand when you call). Usually, CSCS will dispatch your new card on the next working day.
Employers can renew multiple cards for their employees at the same time through the online form on the CSCS website.
Replacement CSCS card
If you lose or break your CSCS card, or it gets stolen this can be a frustrating time as it is likely that you need your card on a day-to-day basis in order to access your place of work on the construction site.
Fortunately, replacing your CSCS card is straightforward although it will require you to pay another £36 for the new card. If you need to replace your CSCS card, call the CSCS Contact Centre on 0344 994 4777 to order a replacement. They will ask for your CSCS registration number or your National Insurance number so make sure that you have one of these to hand before you call. The card you receive will be exactly the same as your previous card, including the same expiry date as the one before.
Summary
The total price of acquiring a CSCS card is £57 which includes the card itself, and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test which you are required to have passed in order to be eligible for a card. The validity of CSCS cards varies depending on which card you have and ranges from 1-5 years. Cards can be renewed up to 6 months prior to the expiry date, and up to 6 months after the expiry date has passed. To renew your CSCS card or to replace a card that has been lost, broken or stolen you can call the CSCS Contact Centre on 0344 994 4777.