Our online card checker can be used to check a CPCS card. Please note to make a valid search, you must enter two items of information, one of which must be Individual ID/Registration Number or National Insurance Number. For example: Surname & Card Number, Surname & NI Number, DOB & Card Number, or DOB and NI Number.

Card Checker

To enter the CPCS scheme and get a CPCS card, you will firstly need to complete and pass the relevant Health Safety & Environment test. You can find out more information here. Once the above has been completed, you are required to complete and pass the relevant theory and practical test(s) for the category (ies) of machinery you wish to operate. You can find out more about the theory and practical test by contacting a local CPCS registered test centre and you can find your local one on our online test centre search. We do advise that you contact 2 or 3 test centres, as they will all have varying availability, costings and timescales.

If you already have the NVQ qualification for the item of plant you operate, then you should take a copy of the full NVQ certificate with you to the CPCS test centre as they will apply for the Blue Competent Operator Card.

If not, they will apply for the Red Trained Operator card.

To renew your CPCS card please:

• Complete the relevant HS&E test- CPCS HS&E Test
• Complete the relevant CPCS renewal CPD 
• Able to provide hours via the logbook OR complete a practical test OR complete an onsite assessment
• Fill in the F1.3 renewal application form

To book the CPCS Operatives HS&E test please go to:

https://www.nocnjobcards.org/CPCS/cpcs-plant-operative-health-safety-and-environment-test/. For the CITB HS&E test please call 0344 9944 488 or visit: https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/

We require a copy of the VQ certificate to be emailed to cpcs@jobcards.org along with the CPCS card number, name and date of birth. The relevant HS&E test must be completed in the last 2 years. Please ensure you provide the mailing address for the card and the email to send the payment link to make the online payment for the £28 upgrade fee.

We require a copy of the NVQ or SVQ registration document in order to extend your red card. Please note this is from the awarding body and not a receipt of payment. Once registered please email a copy of the registration confirmation to cpcs@jobcards.org along with the CPCS card number, name, date of birth, the mailing address for the card and the email address to send the payment link to make the online payment for the £28 extension fee.

Duplicate CPCS cards cost £28. Please email cpcs@jobcards.org along with the CPCS card number, name, date of birth, National Insurance number, the mailing address for the card and the email address to send the payment link to make the online payment of £28 for the duplicate card.

To enter the CPCS scheme and get a CPCS card, you will firstly need to complete and pass the relevant Health Safety & Environment test. You can find out more information here. 

Once the above has been completed, you are required to complete and pass the relevant theory and practical test(s) for the category (ies) of machinery you wish to operate.

You can find out more about the theory and practical test by contacting a local CPCS registered test centre and you can find your local one on our online test centre search. We do advise that you contact 2 or 3 test centres, as they will all have varying availability, costings and timescales.

If you already have the NVQ qualification for the item of plant you operate, then you should take a copy of the full NVQ/SVQ certificate with you to the CPCS test centre as they will apply for the Blue Competent Operator Card.

If not, they will apply for the Red Trained Operator card.

If you are adding a new endorsement to a previously held category you will not require the theory test however the practical test will need to be completed.

In order to renew a CPCS card a renewal application form F1/3 must be completed. This confirms your details with CPCS and provides confirmation that the logbook hours, practical test or onsite assessment has been completed per category.

You can download the renewal form here.

Please send your application by email to cpcs@jobcards.org or post to CPCS, PO BOX 1242, King’s Lynn, PE30 9FQ.

Section E of the renewal form can be signed by your employer. If you are self-employed you can sign section E yourself. From 01/08/19 we do not require the person signing section E to be a validator.

You can download a free logbook here or alternatively to purchase a hardcopy logbook for £15 please send an email to cpcs@jobcards.org along with:

• Individual – The card holder name, CPCS card number, date of birth, address for the logbook to be sent to and email address for us to send a payment request.
• Company – The amount of logbook required, who they are for the attention of, the mailing address and email address of who to send the payment request to. If you have an account please send the details with your account number and purchase or number if applicable.

To fill the logbook

• Photo and name on the front cover
• CPCS Card number, expiry date and signature on the 2nd page
• 300 hours per category over the 5 years you have held the category 
  • If you hold more than one endorsement for the category, then you should keep 270 hours for the main endorsement and 30 for the lesser used endorsement.
  • If you have held a category for less than 2 years you are not required to keep hours.
  • If you have held a category for less than 5 years but more than 2 years you should keep the equivalent of 5 hours per month.

Our standard turnaround from receiving an application form is 15 working days. If you are unable to see it on the NOCN card checker after this period you will need to either contact us on webchat (https://www.nocnjobcards.org/contact) , email (cpcs@jobcards.org) or phone (0300 999 1177 option 1, option 1, option 1).

Cards can take an additional 15 working days to arrive via Royal Mail to the address stated on the application form. If this is your first red card or first direct to blue card please contact your test centre regarding its whereabouts as the card is usually sent direct to them at their request.

If you have added a category to your card, the first card that is issued as a blue competent operator card is issued as a 5 year card. After this all categories are added to the first card so that they all have the same expiry date. This is stated in the 2nd to last paragraph on the card carrier letter and in the scheme booklet.

If you originally gained your blue CPCS card under Grandfather Rights, and you have not previously achieved a VQ in a certain Construction or Plant related occupation, you will have to achieve an NOCN CPCS Competence Interview by the 31 December 2024.

Find out more information here.

CPCS has an agreement with the Materials Products Qualification Council (MPQC) that allows the holders of MPQC cards to transfer certain categories onto a CPCS Trained Operator and Competent Operator cards if they meet agreed requirements.

There are two application forms:

• F1/8 application to transfer a MPQC card to a CPCS Trained Operator card 
• F1/9 application to transfer a MPQC card to a CPCS Competent Operator card 

For full details on the requirements please refer to the Scheme Booklet for Operators.

The transfer fee will cost £28

CPCS has an agreement with the SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) that allows the holders of SOLAS cards to transfer certain categories onto a CPCS Competent Operator cards if they meet agreed requirements.

For further details, download the F1/4 transfer of SOLAS to CPCS Competent Operator card application form, the reverse of the form gives you details on the completion requirements.

You can also transfer your CPCS Competent Operator card to SOLAS, for further details, download the F1/4 SOLAS transfer of CPCS Competent Operator Card to SOLAS CSCS Experienced Operator Card application form.

For further information please visit the CSCS Ltd website

Please contact your Awarding Body regarding copies of your NVQ or SVQ certificates. If you are unsure who your Awarding Body is, please contact your training provider that you completed your NVQ/SVQ with.

If you are looking for a copy of your NVQ qualification from NOCN - CSkills Awards please contact the team on 0300 999 1177 Option 1, Option 3 or email them at nocn@nocn.org.uk

In 2015 the CLC announced in its Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025 that industry, including trade associations, contractors, clients and government, should only accept and promote card schemes carrying the CSCS logo. This is known as the One Industry Logo action.

The CLC listed a number of requirements that card schemes like CPCS need to meet to qualify for the CSCS logo, including:

• Agreeing appropriate qualifications for each occupation
• Setting a minimum standard for skilled occupations at VQ Level 2
• Introducing smart technology by 2020.

Why are Grandfather Rights being withdrawn?

In line with the CLC requirements, every Competent Operator (blue cardholder) must have nationally recognised qualifications that match the categories they have on their card at VQ Level 2.

Cards issued through Grandfather Rights did not require the cardholder to have a nationally recognised qualification. This means it doesn’t meet the CLC requirement and CPCS will stop renewing cards gained under Grandfather Rights by the end of 2024.

Who are the CLC?

The CLC is the Construction Leadership Council and their objective is to drive industry improvement. You can find information about them on their website here.

How do I know if I have Grandfather Rights?

You have Grandfather Rights, or a card gained under Industry Accreditation, if you gained your Blue card without holding a VQ. This means you may be affected by these changes and need to complete an NOCN CPCS Competence Interview if you wish to keep them in the future. If you have already achieved a VQ in certain Construction or Plant related occupations – and we have evidence of this – you will not need to do anything further and we will issue you a normal blue Competent Operator Card.

What is a Vocational Qualification (VQ)?

A Vocational Qualification (VQ) is a practical work-based qualification based on standards developed across industry. These qualifications are nationally recognised and focus on the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed in the workplace.

There are a number of Awarding Organisations that offer VQs, including NOCN through CSkills Awards.

What is the NOCN CPCS Competence Interview?

The NOCN CPCS Competence Interview was drafted by the CPCS team to help you meet the CLC criteria. It takes into account your experience, knowledge and training, and asks you to answer a set of questions based on this. You can find the NOCN CPCS Competence Interview template here.

Why stop issuing cards gained under Grandfather Rights in June 2024 and not December?

We do not want to issue blue cards which are only valid for less than six months. If you have not achieved the Competence Interview by June 2024, you will need to do this as soon as possible.

I have been working for many years. Why do I need a qualification now?

Rules around what industry will accept have changed due to the CLC requirements set out in 2015. In order for you to keep your blue card, you need to meet these requirements.

Can I just carry on working without a CPCS card?

The CLC are directing all of industry, including trade associations, contractors, clients and government, to only accept and promote card schemes carrying the CSCS logo. This is known as the One Industry Logo action. It is your choice whether you take the risk of working without a CPCS card but you will not be able to gain a card from another scheme without meeting these requirements.

If within 12 months of expiry date please see Update 184 for latest information here.

If expired over 12 months you will need to appeal in writing to: cpcs@jobcards.org titled tester appeal.

Please ensure you state your Tester card registration number, along with full details as to why your card was not renewed before expiry.

All appeals received will be reviewed on an independent basis. Responses will be issued within 28 days of receipt.

You can enquire about becoming a test centre here.

To appeal a CPCS technical test or onsite assessment please contact the CPCS test centre where these tests were taken.

To appeal a CPCS card please send an email to cpcs@jobcards.org titled appeal including your CPCS card number, name and date of birth, the reason for the appeal and any supporting evidence.

A VQ is a Vocational Qualification, also referred to as an NVQ or SVQ, National Vocational Qualification, or Scottish Vocational Qualification.

The digital logbook is a brand-new tool designed to help you record your life-long learning, activities, testing, training, and employment history. Essential for renewing your CPCS card.

To access your digital logbook, visit the NOCN Hub. If you are yet to join, please click “Sign Up” to create your account. Once you are registered and logged in, you will see the ‘My Logbook’ tile. You can then click ‘View More’ and you will be able to update your logbook with a new event.

• No category specific test.
• More relevant learning to support cardholder skill/career development.
• Easy to access eLearning on any device connected to the internet (including smart phones).
• Can be completed at a time and location to suit the cardholder or employer.
• Instant feedback.

Yes, Renewal Tests can still be accepted within two years of application.

They are valid for two years, just like Renewal Tests.

No, candidates do not need to complete CPD for the upgraded category. However, if they hold categories that are over two years old, they will need to complete CPD for those, which may involve the same CPD module.

Desktop, laptop, phone, or tablets.

No, it can be taken anywhere with internet access.

There is no specific time limit for completion, although the average time taken is around 40 minutes.

Completion status will be visible on the candidate card checker within 24-48 hours.

No, it is currently only available in English.

The cost is £28 for up to 5 modules, meaning all categories have a maximum cost of £28. This also includes the cost of the card.

No. F1/3 form or online form will need completing before receiving a card. This follows the same process as with the previous renewal test.

An email address is required to complete the CPD. This can be set up for free using email providers such as Gmail, AOL and Outlook.

Yes, employers can log in to the NOCN Hub and input the candidates email address to facilitate payment.

There is a voiceover throughout the CPD modules, and candidates may have someone assist them, provided the candidate answers the questions.

Questions are included to ensure understanding of the subject area. If a candidate answers incorrectly, they will be provided with the correct answer without needing to redo the questions.

There is no time limit after starting the CPD.

The Hub is an easy-to-use system for carrying out tasks such as taking short online courses, paying for invoices, viewing and downloading certificates, applying for and renewing CPCS cards, taking your CPCS health, safety and environment test and renewal CPD.

Once a purchase has been made, the learning is available straight away.

To self-register, visit nocn.org.

If you’re new to the Hub, choose sign-up, from the drop-down menu, select learner and go through the registration process.

You chose a password when you created your registration. If you’ve forgotten it, you can reset it here. You’ll need the email address you registered your account with to do this.