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Kate  
#1 Posted : 03 August 2025 15:59:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I am thinking of getting a CSCS card as I may be working for clients who would like to me to visit construction sites where they are installing their products, although this won't be the main focus of my work.

I don't have a construction safety qualification, but as CMIOSH it appears I am eligible for the CSCS Professionally Qualified Person card.  To get this I would need to pass either a CITB test or a CIC test.  The CITB test is supported by an app and the CIC one by an e-learning course.  I am leaning towards the CIC one as I like doing e-learning.

Now I know that CSCS cards and the process for getting them are widely derided, so before I commit myself I would like to check what those in the know think of this approach.  Any helpful comments will be appreciated.

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 04 August 2025 07:55:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

If you had mentioned client the answer would have been straight forward - what their policy states.

Like all matters construction as soon as you have more than one piper then there is more than one dance.

Personally I do not perceive your intended work would necessitate a card but given how relatively cheap they are to obtain whatever suits you - good luck and hopefully at by the end of five years when the replacement is due a worthwhile investment.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC), Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 04 August 2025 07:55:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

If you had mentioned client the answer would have been straight forward - what their policy states.

Like all matters construction as soon as you have more than one piper then there is more than one dance.

Personally I do not perceive your intended work would necessitate a card but given how relatively cheap they are to obtain whatever suits you - good luck and hopefully at by the end of five years when the replacement is due a worthwhile investment.

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC), Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC)
Temeraire  
#4 Posted : 04 August 2025 09:28:00(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Temeraire

Hi Kate,

I was in a similar situation and did what you suggested, I have a proffestionally qualified person CSCS Card and used the CITB Map test App to assist in me passing the touch screen. If yiou are visiting various Site some can be stricter than others and having a card removes any doubt or wasted journeys. Good Luck.

thanks 1 user thanked Temeraire for this useful post.
Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC)
Watkins101  
#5 Posted : 04 August 2025 14:48:36(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Watkins101

As others have said some site managers are more particular about CSCS cards than others, There used to be a yellow visitors card which was discontinued which suggests that an occasional visitor to a site would not require a card which is of course designed to prove competence not necessarily gain access to a building site.

We started to put some of our sales guys through the Green CSCS card route as if nothing it gives them some basic site awareness training but that’s not really the point of this card and the criteria for renewal has recently changed.

If you need to go down the white card be aware that the MAP touchscreen test  is not something to be taken lightly and will need to be well revised for.

Edited by user 04 August 2025 14:50:12(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thanks 1 user thanked Watkins101 for this useful post.
Kate on 04/08/2025(UTC)
Kate  
#6 Posted : 04 August 2025 16:33:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

Hm, I've just spotted a couple of things on further investigation of the CSCS website.

The alternative CIC test is evidently not for me after all as "The minimum order for this test is five courses. The test is not suitable for single users or self-employed professionals who have no one to invigilate their exam."

So it will need to be CITB MAP after all.  So my question is no longer which test, but how best to prepare for that one.

Also, interestingly, they have a whole page about how people in various non-construction occupations should not be asked to produce a card to get on site. https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/non-construction-related-occupations/  Evidently this is quite an issue ...

Roundtuit  
#7 Posted : 04 August 2025 18:00:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Originally Posted by: Kate Go to Quoted Post
they have a whole page about how people in various non-construction occupations should not be asked to produce a card to get on site. https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/non-construction-related-occupations/  Evidently this is quite an issue ...

This is one of the reasons they dropped the yellow "Visitor Card" as many firms insisted anyone coming to site must be CSCS carded which included for example the cleaners of the welfare facilities even though they never step foot in the active construction area.

Problem is once a construction company gets an idea in its head - 24 years later and still being asked for COSHH sheets for materials despite the withdrawal of CHiP 3!

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 05/08/2025(UTC), Kate on 05/08/2025(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#8 Posted : 04 August 2025 18:00:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Originally Posted by: Kate Go to Quoted Post
they have a whole page about how people in various non-construction occupations should not be asked to produce a card to get on site. https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/non-construction-related-occupations/  Evidently this is quite an issue ...

This is one of the reasons they dropped the yellow "Visitor Card" as many firms insisted anyone coming to site must be CSCS carded which included for example the cleaners of the welfare facilities even though they never step foot in the active construction area.

Problem is once a construction company gets an idea in its head - 24 years later and still being asked for COSHH sheets for materials despite the withdrawal of CHiP 3!

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 05/08/2025(UTC), Kate on 05/08/2025(UTC)
Mark-W  
#9 Posted : 07 August 2025 09:02:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

Kate

I visit sites for my clients. Big project currently is in Bristol. Multi year project, we are installing the new HVAC system.

I used to have a yellow card. Easily gained with the operatives test. Once that was discontinued I had to find another route, I used an Institute that former soldiers can be a member of. I then had to sit the managers test to gain my white card.

I became paranoid about the test thinking it would be hard and I'd fail. Which wouldn't look good to my client. So I spent the £20ish on the book of questions, read it for 2 nights and gave up. Then spent £6 on the app. It has the full bank of 500 questions.

I ensured I had tiime and sat all 500 questions every night for a week prior to test. It becomes easier every night as you remember the answers, it lets you know immediatley if you get 1 wrong and gives you the correct answer.

Anyway, come test day, you sit at the screen and have 45 mins to complete the test. I was in and out in just over 12 mins with 100% correct. I put that down to the intensive revision for the preceding 7 days.

It worked for me, it may not work for you but it's an option

thanks 2 users thanked Mark-W for this useful post.
Kate on 07/08/2025(UTC), peter gotch on 07/08/2025(UTC)
Kate  
#10 Posted : 07 August 2025 09:19:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

Thanks Mark, I doubt I will put in quite the level of commitment that you did but based on your account of it I will definitely get the app.

Mark-W  
#11 Posted : 07 August 2025 09:32:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

with the app, you can sit a sample test, so gives you the correct number of questions and a time IIRC.

I tried it a few times but kept failing, So went with the other option of just completing the whole question bank.

Because it's the managers test there is all sorts of questions from type of hi viz to wear on A roads, a bit about rail (I think) and then your more mundane stuff like which fire extinguisher to use.

thanks 2 users thanked Mark-W for this useful post.
peter gotch on 07/08/2025(UTC), Kate on 07/08/2025(UTC)
peter gotch  
#12 Posted : 07 August 2025 10:29:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Thanks Mark for that helpful insight.

Highlights two of the many problems with CSCS.

First, if you know that there are only 500 possible questions and the "correct" answers are published, some would simply swot up on THOSE questions and might not even consider why the "correct" answers have been decided on, let alone why some other answer might be equally valid or any of the other H&S issues that somebody going for Card type X may have to deal with in the real world.

Next for many doing the test some of the questiona are going to be entirely irrelevant to what they will be doing for the next 5 years. Only a small fraction of them will be working on or near trunk roads. 

...and even though they may, the rules might vary depending on who the Client is, who the Contractor is (if approrpriate) and the usual speed limit on the road. 

So without trying to second guess what the relevant question amongst the 500 might be, suppose it asks "What clothing is required on or near A roads to ensure that a worker is easily seen?"

The correct answer COULD be:

1. Hi vis jackets or coveralls with full length sleeves to Class 3 fluorescent yellow or fluorescent orange-red + ditto trousers.

2. As above + white safety helmet with chin strap or lanyard.

3. As above + white helmet but with specifying the chin strap or lanyard as those aren't really about making the worker visible but protecting passing traffic from flying helmets!

I'm hoping that they don't expect the candidate to also remember the relevant EN ISO numbers!!!

However the starting point for those answers is "MCHW" which directly applies to those operating and maintaining trunk roads and many A roads are not trunk roads.

So, the items in No 1 are required for work on or near all trunk roads but if a "high speed road" (i.e. usual speed limit of 50 mph or more, then also item in No 2.

In general, other highways authorities usually follow MCHW but unlike e.g. Highways England and its supply chain, they don't have to.

But the person sitting this test might be working for a Client or someone in their supply chain that demands even more stringent standards. May be yellow footwear? [Yes, yellow wellies with steel toe-caps and mid-soles have been put on the market]

.......but then as well such issues, suppose this is a Manager who works on civil engineering projects, they may need to know what is meant by "on or near" a road whereas this is probably irrelevant to the Manager who works on construction sites building blocks of flats, unless they just want to do well in trivia quizzes or portray as the Safety Hero and tell others how to behave.

Ultimately, in effect, CSCS have got themselves to a situation of H&S by rote answer. Is this conducive to constructive (pun intended) thinking about H&S on sites?

Edited by user 07 August 2025 10:36:38(UTC)  | Reason: Tweaks

Mark-W  
#13 Posted : 07 August 2025 10:48:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mark-W

Peter, I totaly get what you are saying but to pass the test you have to answer their questions in a way they deem apropiate.

Whilst the premise of your argument about the hi viz PPE being X,Y and Z but company policy could state that yellow wellys are to be worn. The yellow wellys isn't correct as per the question bank.

When I started my revision, there were all sorts of questions that bore no relevance to my line of work.

Why would I need to know about hi viz on an A road when my client fits AC systems, or fits electrical servixces or maintains them. So it was easier to learn parrot fashion the correct answers. And then conduct more research in the specific areas that are relevant to me.

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