Unofficial websites and “agents” charge extra for something you can do alone in 30 minutes, at the official price. Here's exactly how.
Prices checked August 2026 (CITB prices from 1 April 2026). If your HS&E test is still in date, you skip the test — only £36. Since February 2025 the Operatives test is valid 3 years; Specialist, Supervisor and Manager tests are valid 2 years. Always confirm on the official sites below.
For the Green Labourer card the CITB test alone is not enough — you also need the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (a one-day course, RQF Level 1 / SCQF equivalent; once passed it's valid for life). So: Level 1 Award + CITB Operatives test + £36 application. Since February 2025 the first Labourer card is valid 2 years; when you renew it you get a 5-year card if you confirm you're working as a labourer (CSCS declaration form or an employer reference).
Already hold an NVQ Level 2, 3 or 4 in your trade? Then you apply for the skilled card that matches your qualification (Blue, Gold…) — and at renewal you only need an in-date CITB test, because your qualification is already on record.
You need two things: a CITB HS&E test that's still in date (Operatives test: valid 3 years since Feb 2025; other test types: 2 years), and evidence of your qualification (the one your current card is based on). If your test is still valid — jump to step 3.
Book ONLY on the official CITB website (citb.co.uk) — test centres everywhere in the UK, usually slots within days. It's a touch-screen multiple-choice test. Practice apps are free. Ask about language support options when you book.
Go to cscs.uk.com (or the MyCSCS app), log in / create an account, choose “renew”, upload your qualification evidence, pay £36 by card. You can renew up to 6 months BEFORE your card expires — don't wait for it to lapse.
Only two official websites exist: cscs.uk.com and citb.co.uk. Any other site “helping” you apply is a middleman adding their own fee for the exact same form. And don't let the card lapse — sites check cards digitally now, and an expired card can mean a lost day's work.
Most CSCS cards are valid for 5 years. The big exception: since February 2025, the first Green Labourer card is issued for 2 years — on renewal you get 5 years if you confirm you're working as a labourer. See our note on the 2-year labourer card. The expiry date is printed on the front of your card.
Two things, not one: the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (one-day course, valid for life) and the CITB Operatives HS&E test — then the £36 application. The test alone is not enough for a new card.
Yes — the whole renewal is done online at the official cscs.uk.com for £36, paid by card. No agent, no phone queue, no extra fee. If your HS&E test is still in date you can go straight to the application; the steps above cover everything.
You can renew from 6 months before the expiry date — don't leave it to the last week, sites check cards at the gate. If it has already expired, apply on cscs.uk.com anyway: depending on your card type you'll either renew or reapply with a valid HS&E test — the site tells you which when you enter your details.
After approval, most people get access to the digital card in the My CSCS app almost immediately — you can show that on site while the plastic card arrives in the post, usually within days.
No — CSCS is one national scheme. The application is online wherever you live, and CITB has HS&E test centres across the whole UK, so you book the test nearest to you at the same official £23.50.
Only if your CITB HS&E test has expired: the Operatives test is valid 3 years (since Feb 2025), Specialist/Supervisor/Manager tests 2 years. Still in date? Skip straight to the £36 application — if you hold an NVQ, your qualification is already on record and the in-date test is all you need. Need the test? Practice free with our CSCS mock test in 7 languages.
Moving from Green to Blue, or Blue to Gold, needs an NVQ. Graftum was built by people from the UK qualifications world — write to us and we'll point you the right way, honestly and free.
hello@graftum.comJoin the Graftum Network free — we track your card's expiry and remind you in time. Plus a free professional CV and work opportunities on your trade.
Join free — 2 minutesLog your worked days, see what you're owed, keep your CSCS cards with expiry alerts, your CIS money and a dated proof when someone doesn't pay. Free forever, in 7 languages.
Open Graftum Pocket — free →