Confused About the CSCS Green Labourer Card Changes? Here's What You Need to Know!

If you’re looking to work on a construction site in the UK, you’ll likely need a CSCS Green Labourer Card. This card proves you have the basic health and safety knowledge to work safely. However, as of February 1st, 2025, the process for getting and renewing a Green Labourer Card is changing.

Are you feeling unsure about what these changes mean for you? Worried about how they’ll affect your job security? Don’t worry—we’re here to break it down for you.

What’s Changing with the CSCS Green Labourer Card?

The process is straightforward, but you need to meet the new requirements. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Complete the Health & Safety in a Construction Environment Level 1 course.
2. Pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test.
3. Apply for the Green Labourer Card.

The first Green Labourer Card issued under the new rules will be valid for?two years. After that, you’ll need to decide what’s next.

What Happens After Two Years?

Once your two-year Green Labourer Card is about to expire, you have two options:

1. Continue as a Labourer and Renew Your Card

If you want to continue in a labouring role, you must show that you are still working in construction. To renew your card for another five?years, you’ll need:

• Proof of employment in a labouring role.
• A valid CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test result (That is still valid at the point of renewal).
• To pay for another card application.?

2. Progress into a Skilled Trade and Get an NVQ

Thinking about advancing your career? If you’ve spent two years working with a skilled tradesperson and they have agreed to teach you the trade, this could be your next step.

Why Get an NVQ?

• It allows you to apply for a Blue Skilled Worker Card.
• You can specialise in a trade like bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, or multiple other vocations.
• You’ll increase your job prospects and potential earnings.

To apply for an NVQ, you need to:

1. Choose a trade that interests you and have a skilled employer that will train you.
2. Enrol in a Level 2 NVQ course related to your trade.
3. Work with an assessor who will evaluate your skills on-site.

Once you complete your NVQ, you can apply for a Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card, which is valid for five years. After the 5 years you will need to resit your relevant CITB test. The NVQ stays with you forever.

What happens after the extended 5 year deadline or if you have held a CSCS Green Labourer Card previously?

After the 5 – year deadline, if you wish to continue working as a labourer, the cycle begins as before you applied for the card. This means your CSCS card would be valid for 2 years, after which you would require proof of role to progress to an extended 5 years.

If you have held a CSCS card prior to 1st of February AND it still has 1 year of expiry left, then you can reapply for a 5 year card with these requirements:

• CITB operatives test (taken within last 2 years).
• L1 Health and Safety in Construction environment certificate
• CSCS Labourer card renewal declaration form.

If your CSCS card has expired, then you have to apply for a card that has an initial 2 year deadline with a 5 year extension after submitting evidence. Since you have to take a CITB test anyway, for the 5 year extension of your 2 year CITB card, you can use the same CITB test.?

?Make your application process easier and get in touch with us.

How GEM Compliance Training Helps You

At GEM Compliance Training, we don’t just help you get your first Green Labourer Card—we support your entire career journey. Here’s how:

?? We provide the Health & Safety in Construction Level 1 course.?

??You can attend a CITB Operatives test at any one of our 3 locations.

?? We assist with your CSCS application process.?

?? We offer NVQ guidance for those looking to progress into a skilled trade.

??We can support you with advice on CITB funding, and, if you qualify, we can connect you with a CITB advisor and support you through the application process.