Find the right CSCS card for your trade and level, in 60 seconds.

For new starters and career-changers who've been told 'you need a card' but no one's said which one. Get the right colour, the right route in, and what you'll need to prove.

What the law actually says

• •CSCS isn't a legal requirement, it's a contractual one. Most UK main contractors and a growing number of domestic clients now refuse site access without a valid card.
• •From 2024, paper CSCS cards have been phased out. The CSCS Smart Check app is the current verification standard.
• •Wrong card colour for the role can mean being turned away on day one and losing the day's pay.

What to do next

• First time applying: CSCS test booking and prep
• Claim the cost back: Expense Checker
• If you've been refused site access: What to do