If you're looking to start a career in construction and don't know where to begin, the good news is that the starting point is genuinely simple — it's everything after that people tend to overcomplicate. Here's what you actually need.
The starting point: your Green CSCS card
The Green Labourer card is the entry-level CSCS card, and it's where the overwhelming majority of people entering the industry start. It doesn't require any prior construction qualification or on-site experience — just two things: the CITB Operatives HS&E Test, and a Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment.
What those two things actually involve
The Level 1 Award is available Online (£149) or Classroom Based (£199) — a foundation course covering construction health and safety basics. The CITB Operatives Test is a multiple-choice, computer-based test (£48, which includes CITB's own £23.50 fee plus our booking service) — a 90% pass mark, so it's worth taking seriously, but it's built to test genuine safety awareness, not trick you.
The easiest way to do both
Most people booking their first card use our CSCS Labourer Card Package at £249 — it bundles the Level 1 Award, the CITB test booking, and the CSCS card application itself into one price, so you're not juggling three separate bookings with three different providers. Once you've passed, your physical card typically arrives within 15 days of passing your test and course — though that figure covers the card's own processing and delivery time specifically, not the whole journey from a standing start, since how long the Level 1 Award and test booking take depends on how quickly you work through them and how soon a test slot is available.
If you'd rather not do the full package
The £249 package is the most straightforward route, but it's not the only option — if you've already completed the Level 1 Award elsewhere, or you just want the CITB test booked without anything else, both are available separately too. It's worth checking exactly what you've already got covered before booking anything, so you're not paying twice for the same thing.
A realistic timeline, not a promise
People often ask how long the whole process takes from a standing start, and the honest answer is: it depends on you, not on us. The Level 1 Award online typically takes people anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on how much time they can put in around other commitments, and CITB test slots vary by location and demand. Once you've passed both, the 15-day card-arrival figure kicks in — but that's the tail end of the process, not the whole thing, so treat it as a guide to the final step rather than the total time to your first day on site.
What comes after your Green card
Once you're working, most people progress toward a Blue Skilled Worker card by completing an NVQ Level 2 in their chosen trade — that's the natural next step once you've got some site experience behind you and know which trade you want to specialise in. If you want the full picture of how all the CSCS card levels connect, from Green through to Black, we've laid it out in a separate breakdown of the whole card system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any qualifications at all before applying for a Green card?
No — the Green card is specifically designed as the no-experience-needed entry point. The Level 1 Award and CITB test are the qualification, not a prerequisite for one.
What's the minimum age to get a CSCS card?
16.
Can I get a job before I have any card at all?
Most UK construction sites operate a strict "no card, no entry" policy, so in practice you'll need at least a Green card (or a Red Provisional card if you're registered on a training route) before you can start on-site.
Do I need to pick a trade before I get my Green card?
No — the Green card doesn't require a trade at all, which is exactly why it's the standard starting point. Choosing a specific trade only becomes relevant later, when you're ready to work toward a Blue Skilled Worker card through an NVQ Level 2.