How Do You Get a CSCS Labourer Card?

How do you get a CSCS Labourer Card? If you’re looking to start work on a construction site in the UK, one of the first questions you’ll almost always be asked is, “Do you have a CSCS card?” For new starters and labourers, the most common entry point is the CSCS Green Labourer Card. While it can seem confusing at first, the process is actually very straightforward once you understand what is required. This guide explains exactly how you get a CSCS Labourer Card, what training you need, how the test works, and how long the process usually takes from start to finish.

The CSCS Labourer Card, often referred to as the Green Card, is proof that you have a basic understanding of health and safety on construction sites. It is recognised across the UK and is required by most principal contractors before allowing access to site. The card demonstrates that you understand common site hazards, safe working practices, your legal responsibilities as a worker, and how to protect both yourself and others. The scheme is administered by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, but you do not train with CSCS directly. Instead, you complete recognised training and testing routes that CSCS accepts as evidence of competence.

To apply for a Green CSCS Labourer Card, there are two mandatory requirements that must both be completed. The first is a recognised health and safety qualification, and the second is passing the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test. One cannot replace the other, and both are required before an application can be submitted.

For labourers and new entrants to construction, the most appropriate and widely accepted qualification is the IOSH HSE in Construction course. This qualification is specifically designed for people working on construction sites and aligns closely with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, which set out the legal framework for managing health and safety in construction. The course focuses on real site risks and legal responsibilities rather than generic theory, making it particularly relevant for those working at ground level on live sites.

The IOSH HSE in Construction course covers key topics such as hazard awareness, including working at height, moving vehicles, manual handling, and electrical safety. It also looks at the correct use of personal protective equipment, understanding site rules and safe systems of work, accident prevention and reporting procedures, and the legal responsibilities of workers under UK health and safety law. Unlike more general awareness courses, this qualification is construction-specific, which is why it is accepted by CSCS as part of the Green Card route. On successful completion, learners receive an IOSH certificate that can be used during the CSCS application process.

Alongside the qualification, you must also pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test. This is a multiple-choice test taken at an approved test centre and is designed to confirm that you understand basic health and safety principles, common construction hazards, environmental considerations, and emergency procedures. The test typically lasts around 45 minutes. Many learners choose to complete the IOSH course first, as it provides a strong foundation for the knowledge tested in the HS&E exam.

Once you have successfully completed both the IOSH HSE in Construction course and the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test, you can apply directly for your CSCS Labourer Card. The application involves submitting details of your qualification, providing your HS&E test pass reference number, uploading a suitable photograph, and paying the CSCS card fee. Once approved, the Green Labourer Card is posted to you and is normally valid for five years.

In terms of timescales, the process is often quicker than people expect. The IOSH HSE in Construction course can usually be completed online within a few days, depending on individual pace. The HS&E test can typically be booked within a week, subject to local availability. Once the CSCS application is submitted and approved, card processing usually takes only a few working days. With sensible planning, many learners are fully site-ready within one to two weeks.

Although the CSCS card itself is not a legal requirement, most construction companies treat it as essential. Principal contractors use the CSCS scheme as a simple and consistent way to confirm that workers have completed recognised health and safety training, understand their legal duties, and are prepared to work safely on site. Without a valid CSCS card, access to most construction sites is restricted regardless of previous experience.

Holding a CSCS card does not remove responsibility from the worker. In fact, it reinforces it. As a labourer, you are legally required to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others, follow site rules and instructions, use equipment and PPE correctly, and report hazards, defects, and unsafe conditions. These duties are set out in UK law and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. The IOSH HSE in Construction course ensures that workers understand these responsibilities before stepping onto site.

For anyone starting out in construction, the CSCS Green Labourer Card is widely regarded as the first essential step. It improves employability, increases access to sites, demonstrates a commitment to safety, and provides a recognised route into the industry. For many people, it also acts as the foundation for progressing towards further qualifications and skilled trade cards later in their career.

In simple terms, getting a CSCS Labourer Card involves completing a recognised construction health and safety qualification such as IOSH HSE in Construction, passing the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test, and applying directly through the CSCS scheme. It is a clear, structured process designed to ensure that everyone on site understands how to work safely and responsibly, and for new starters it is one of the most important investments they can make in a construction career.

In Summary 

• UK-based training provider
• Online delivery via Microsoft Teams
• CSCS-compliant route to the Green Card
• IOSH-approved qualification
• £174.00 inc VAT – all inclusive
• Weekly availability – start this week

For full qualification details, you can also view the course directly on the IOSH website:

👉 https://iosh.com/qualifications-and-courses/courses/awareness-courses/safety-health-and-environment-for-construction-workers/

This confirms the IOSH Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers (SHECW) course is a recognised qualification accepted as part of the CSCS Green Labourer Card route.

Looking for ECS Cards, SHEA Power or Safety Passports?

In addition to CSCS Green Card training, our sister website provides information and booking options for a wider range of construction and utility-sector safety cards, including:

• ECS Cards
• SHEA Power
• Safety Pass Alliance (SPA) Core, Food & Drink, and other SPA passports

You can find full details here:

👉 https://www.mjtrainingsolutions.co.uk

This is ideal if you’re working (or planning to work) in electrical, utilities, infrastructure, food manufacturing, or logistics, where CSCS alone may not be sufficient.