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7 routes to obtaining a CSCS card after Grandfather Rights Changed

  27th June 2023 |   5 mins

What are the CSCS Card Grandfather Rights?

The Grandfather Rights, or Industry Accreditation, means that if an individual were recommended to CSCS by their employer based on their skills, the individual could receive a CSCS card despite not having achieved the qualification typically required to obtain the card. 

The scheme meant that a large number of construction workers built their careers in construction without ever obtaining qualifications, due to them already having acquired a CSCS card allowing them to carry out work on site. 

Okay, so what’s changing?

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) made the decision in January 2020, to abolish the Grandfather Rights route to cards and subsequently, all CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation will expire on 31st December 2024.  

Anyone who currently holds a CSCS card based on Grandfather Rights will need to take a different route in order to obtain the CSCS card to continue to allow them to do the work on site that they do currently.  Without this, their card will expire and they will no longer be able to do the work on site that the card gives them right to. 

All current cards held based on the Grandfather Rights scheme will expire in December 2024 and current card holders attempting to renew under the scheme will not be able to do so past June 2024. 

with Grandfather Rights CSCS card holders to apply for the card through an alternative route.  The cards issued by CSCS must show achievement of a construction related qualification relevant to your role, this will likely be an NVQ or similar qualification. 

If you are still working in a construction-related occupation and need to obtain a CSCS card once your current one expires under Grandfather Rights, these are the possible routes to obtaining the correct card for you:

  1. Have achieved or be registered for a construction related National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) and have proof of having passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.  You will be able to obtain a skilled CSCS card with this.
  2. Have achieved or be registered on a construction related Apprenticeship and you will need to provide evidence of registration and have proof of having passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.  You will be able to obtain a skilled CSCS card with this.
  3. Possess a construction related academic qualification such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a degree.  You may also need to have passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.  You will be able to obtain a CSCS Academically Qualified Person (AQP) card with this.
  4. Possess other construction related qualifications which you are unsure will be accepted.  In this case, contact CSCS directly.
  5. Possess a valid membership of a professional body as listed on CSCS’ list of approved professional bodies.  These memberships are recognised as being equivalent to a qualification.   You will be required to provide sufficient evidence that you are a member of the body.  You must also provide proof of having passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.   You will be able to obtain a CSCS Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card with this. 
  6. If you are registered to complete a construction qualification that you have not yet achieved.  One of two temporary cards you can apply for is the Experienced Worker card (valid for 1 year only).  You must be registered on a Level 2 NVQ or higher to apply for this card.
    The other temporary card you can apply for is the Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card (valid for 3 years).   You must be registered on an NVQ Level 3 or higher to apply for this card.
    Temporary cards are non-renewable, and you must complete your qualification and plan your route to obtaining the next level of CSCS card.   You must also provide proof of having passed CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.  You will be able to obtain an Experienced Worker card or an Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card with this. 
  7. If you do not hold any construction related qualifications but you work in a trade, you must register for the appropriate construction related qualification.  If you fail to do so, you will not be able to obtain another CSCS card.  If you currently hold an Industry Accredited card and register for a qualification but the qualification will not be completed by the time your card expires, you can apply for the Experienced Worker card. 

If you work in a technical, supervisory or managerial role, you must register for the appropriate construction related qualification.  If you fail to do so, you will not be able to obtain another CSCS card.  If you currently hold an Industry Accredited card and register for a qualification but the qualification will not be completed by the time your card expires, you can apply for the Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager card. 

Find out more about our NVQs and which cards they lead to. 
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