Subcontractors · Mandatory · Construction

CSCS Card Verification Record

A record verifying that each worker on site holds a valid CSCS card appropriate to their trade and role.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 Best Practice remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	CDM 2015 Best Practice + CDM 2015 Reg 8
CSCS card types	White — Trainee/apprentice. Red — Provisional. Green — General Construction Worker. Blue — Skilled Worker (NVQ Level 2). Gold — Advanced Craft (NVQ Level 3). Black — Manager. Platinum — Graduate.
Card matching	The card type must match the worker's occupation. Check: name matches; photo matches; card is valid; occupation matches role.
CSCS App	Download from App Store or Google Play. Photograph the QR code or enter the card number to verify card holder name, card type, occupational category, current validity.
Non-CSCS occupations	CPCS (plant operators); IPAF (MEWPs); JIB (electricians); GASCOLD/GasSafe (gas work). These trade-specific cards are accepted in place of CSCS.

1. CSCS Card Verification — Competence at the Gate

CSCS card verification is the practical, site-level implementation of the CDM 2015 Regulation 8 duty to verify worker competence. The card confirms that the worker holds the qualification relevant to their occupation. The CSCS app makes real-time card verification possible for any site manager with a smartphone. The CSCS card verification record provides the site-level documentation that each worker's card was checked.

Every worker arriving on a construction site should have their card checked before they begin work. The check must confirm four things: the name on the card matches the worker's identity; the photograph matches the person presenting the card; the card has not expired; and the occupational category on the card matches the work the person will be doing on site. A mismatch on any of these four points should prevent the worker from starting until resolved.

For workers in trades covered by alternative schemes — such as CPCS for plant operators, IPAF for mobile elevating work platforms, JIB for electricians, or GasSafe for gas work — the relevant trade-specific card is accepted in place of CSCS. The verification process is the same: confirm the card is valid, current, and matches the work being carried out.

Use the CSCS App for instant card verification — it shows validity status in real time

The app is free to download and provides immediate confirmation of card validity, holder name, and occupational category.

2. CSCS Card Verification Record — Content

The following table sets out the fields that a well-structured CSCS card verification record should include. This record should be maintained as a live register — updated each time a new worker arrives on site or when a card is re-verified following renewal.

Field	What to record
Date of check	Date the card was verified.
Worker name	Full name on the card.
Employer	Subcontractor company.
Trade/occupation	What the worker does on this site.
Card type	E.g. 'Blue — Skilled Worker — Bricklayer'.
Card number	For record purposes.
Expiry date	When the card expires. Flag in training matrix for renewal.
CSCS App verification	App check conducted Y/N. App confirmation screenshot retained Y/N.
Card matches occupation	Does the card type match the work being done? Y/N
Checked by	Name and role of person verifying the card.

The verification record should be maintained centrally — typically by the site manager or gate security — and cross-referenced with the site attendance register. Any discrepancies between the attendance register and the card verification log should be investigated immediately.

3. Common Mistakes

Accepting any CSCS card without checking it matches the worker's trade

A Blue card for bricklaying does not authorise plumbing. The card type and occupation must match the work being carried out on site.

Not checking card expiry dates

An expired CSCS card provides no assurance of current competence. Cards must be verified as in-date at the point of check. Expiry dates should be recorded in the training matrix and flagged for renewal well before they lapse.

Not using the CSCS App and relying on visual inspection only

Cards can be counterfeited. The CSCS App provides real-time verification against the CSCS database and confirms whether the card is genuine and current. Visual inspection alone cannot detect a well-produced counterfeit card.

Not maintaining a written verification record

If there is no record, there is no evidence the check was done. The verification record is the compliance trail. In the event of an HSE investigation following an incident, the inspector will ask for card verification records for the workers involved.

Allowing workers without CSCS cards access to site without a plan for resolution

Workers without valid cards should not be permitted to work until a resolution is in place — whether that is obtaining a card, providing equivalent evidence, or supervised restricted access.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CSCS card a legal requirement?▾

No UK legislation specifically requires CSCS cards. The legal requirement under CDM 2015 Reg 8 is competence verification — which CSCS cards satisfy. In practice, most UK construction sites require them as a condition of site access.

What card should a labourer without a trade qualification hold?▾

A Green CSCS card (Labourer card / General Construction Worker). From 2019, the Green Labourer card requires the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

Can a CSCS card be used to verify skills for all tasks?▾

CSCS cards verify occupational competence for the holder’s trade — they do not automatically authorise specific high-risk tasks such as confined space entry, working at height, or hot works. Trade-specific qualifications and permits layer on top of CSCS card verification.

What happens when a worker’s card expires mid-project?▾

The worker must renew before expiry. A worker with an expired card should not continue work in their trade capacity until renewed. The training matrix should flag upcoming expiry dates so that renewal can be arranged in advance without disruption to the programme.

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