Provisional Card: requirements and how to apply

The CSCS Provisional Card is a temporary Red CSCS card designed for people who are new to the construction industry or the CSCS card scheme and need short-term site access while their employer assesses their suitability or while they explore a career in construction.

It may also be suitable for people completing short-duration work experience or placements lasting less than three weeks.

The card gives new entrants a limited period to gain experience, decide on the correct construction occupation and begin working towards the qualification required for their next CSCS card.

The Provisional Card is valid for six months and cannot be renewed.

You can only apply for this card if you have never held a CSCS card before, and it can only be issued once.

Ideal for people who are entering the construction industry for the first time and do not yet hold or have registration for the qualification required for another CSCS card.

It may be suitable if you are:

• Completing a probationary period while an employer assesses your suitability

• Undertaking short work experience or a placement lasting less than three weeks

• New to the construction industry

• New to the CSCS card scheme

• Exploring different construction career pathways

• Starting work while deciding which recognised construction qualification you need

The Provisional Card is not intended to be used as a long-term construction card.

Typical situations

• New construction worker completing an employer probation period

• Short-term construction work experience

• Construction placement lasting less than three weeks

• New entrant exploring a trade or construction occupation

• Worker preparing to register for an NVQ/SVQ or other recognised qualification

• Individual starting a construction career for the first time

Your intended occupation should still be checked to make sure it falls within the CSCS scheme.

Qualification Requirements

What you need before we can apply for this card for you:

• You must not have held a CSCS card previously

• You can only receive a Provisional Card once

• You must be entering construction, completing a probationary period or undertaking eligible short-duration work experience

• Pass the appropriate CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test within the last two years

• Provide valid photo ID where required

• Provide a suitable photograph if requested by CSCS

• Your intended construction occupation should fall within the CSCS scheme

You do not normally need to have completed a construction NVQ/SVQ before applying for the Provisional Card.

However, before the card expires, you should achieve or register for a recognised construction-related qualification and apply for the appropriate CSCS card for your occupation.

Health and safety requirements

Applicants must have passed the appropriate CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test within the previous two years.

The exact CITB test required depends on the occupation or level of work being undertaken.

CITB currently provides three main types of Health, Safety & Environment Test:

• Operatives

• Specialists

• Managers and Professionals

The appropriate test should be checked before booking to make sure it matches your intended occupation or card route.