CPCS Card

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CPCS means Construction Plant Competence Scheme. This card scheme created to demonstrate the skills of plant operatives. It is run by NOCN, prior to CITB construction Industry Training board. It was hosted by CITB in 2003.

This card documents the competence and qualifications of card holder. The scheme maintains health and safety through a system of testing to establish workers fulfil with Minimum standards.

Who should get a CPCS card?

Here, we will talk about who all can acquire a CPCS card and what is the criteria to get it. The first thing is you need to be either 16 years or above to apply for this card. First thing you need to do is pass a CITB health and safety test. This test is valid for 2 years. After CITB test you need to complete CPCS theory and practical test.

After your test you can apply for CPCS red trained operator card. This card is valid for 2 years, without this card you will not be allowed to operate any machines. Hence this card is very important. 

Which Test I Need?

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Type of CPCS Card

CPCS Red Trained Operator card

This is valid for 2 years. To apply for this card, you need to pass a CITB health and safety test should be within 2 years along with a valid CPCS theory and practical test. Now the questions arises, can we renew this card, the answer is “Yes”, You can renew or extend this card. There is 2 ways to renew or extend this card.

First way to apply for an additional 2 year card, you must need to complete the below steps:

  •  Hold an expired operator card by more than a year.
  •  Hold a valid CITB health, safety and environment test.
  •  Complete the CPCS theory test, should be within 6 months of the theory test and within 2 years of the CITB health, safety and environment test.
  •  Complete the CPCS Practical test, should be within 6 months of the theory test and within 2 years of the CITB health, safety and environment test.
  •  Get register yourself for a NVQ relevant to the category.

Second way to apply for an additional 2 year card, you must need to complete the below steps:

  1.  Hold your Red Trained Operator card which should be in date or within 12 months from the expiry date.
  2.  Get register yourself for a NVQ relevant to the category.

CPCS Blue competent Operator card

This card is valid for 5 years and you can renew this card. Going forward we will discuss all the ways to apply for this card for the first time or renew it.

If you are trying to apply for the Blue Competent card for the first time, then you need to follow the below instructions.

  1.  You need to complete your NVQ in your relevant category.
  2.  You need to pass CITB health, safety and environment test should be within 2 years.
  3.  You must complete the valid CPCS theory and Practical test. 

Extend Red CPCS card for 12 month

You can extend your Red CPCS Red operator card for 12 month and again for 2 years. Do check steps to understand the extension of your card.

  •  Hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator card which is in date, or within 12 months from the expiry date
  •  Be registered for a NVQ relevant to the category

For an additional 2 Year card Extention, you must:

  •  Hold an expired trained operator card by more than 12 months
  •  Hold a valid CITB health, safety and environment test within the last 2 years
  •  Achieve the CPCS theory test (within two years of the CITB health, safety and environment test)
  •  Achieve the CPCS practical test (within six months of the CPCS theory test and within two years of the CITB health, safety and environment test)
  •  Be registered for a NVQ relevant to the category

Renew CPCS Blue competent Operator card for 5 years.

  1.  You need to pass CITB health, safety and environment test should be within 2 years.
  2.  You need to complete the renewal test for the modules you want to renew.

Upgrade your Red CPCS card to Blue CPCS card.

You can always upgrade your red CPCS card to Blue CPCS card by following below steps.

  1.  Hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card for the category which is within 12 months of expiry date if the extension has been applied for or 24 months. if the extension has not been applied for.
  2.  Pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test.
  3.  Pass your NVQ with the appropriate units relevant to the category. 
Upgrade
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Red to Blue CPCS