Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card

A Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card provides proof of complement skills and abilities of plant operators in a number of different roles. It is based on a mix of professional competence, experience on site and health and safety awareness.

LICENCE Name

Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card

AUTHORITY

CITB: Construction Industry Training Board

TIME TO GET LICENCED 2 years
COST £25
VALID FOR 5 years
ELIGIBILITY 18+ years, right to work in UK, hold red CPCS trained operator card and qualification and relevant training
QUALIFICATION(S) NEEDED NVQ or SVQ, CITB health, safety & environment test pass, CPCS technical tests (theory and practical)
STEPS TO GET LICENSED
1

Obtain Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

Obtain relevant NVQ or SVQ qualification
Pass and complete CITB Health, Safety & Environment test
Complete novice or refresher training along with the CPCS technical tests (theory and practical) for each plant category
2

Awarded Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

3

Upgrade to Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card

hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card for the category which is within 12 months of expiry date
pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years
achieve a SVQ or NVQ, with the appropriate units relevant to the category.
Call the CPCS Helpline on 0844 815 7274, confirm your details and make a payment of £25. A Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card will be issued for five years
4

Renew your Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card every 5 years.

Pass the HS&E Test within the last 2 years
Pass the renewal test modules for each category you wish to renew
Record at least 300 hours per category in your logbook
Complete an on-site assessment
Complete a practical test
Get Licenced

Find Your Course

Find your course

What is the Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card?

What is a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card?

The Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card confirms you have demonstrated a level of health, safety and environment awareness through the CITB health, safety and environment test. This also includes an acquired knowledge through a CPCS theory test, operating ability through a CPCS practical test and operating competence on the type of plant evidenced by an SVQ or NVQ.

Why is a CPCS card necessary?

Having a CPCS card is necessary as it showcases to employers efficiently and knowledge of the industry. The objective of the CPCS card is to ensure that employers and plant operators can have confidence that they are meeting the required standards in health and safety legislation. As a result, employing only CPCS card holders in the relevant positions ensures that individuals who possess, and maintain, the knowledge and competence to safeguard plant safety and meet legislative requirements, hold these key roles.

How to get a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card

To get the Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card you must:

already have a Red CPCS Trained Operator Card.

provide proof of achievement of the SVQ or NVQ for the category being applied for to the CPCS Test Centre

pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test

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)

Both CPCS theory and practical tests are delivered by an accredited CPCS test centre. Find an accredited CPCS test centre HERE.

On achievement of the CPCS practical test, the CPCS test centre will request the competent operator card on your behalf.

On receipt of your first competent operator card, you will be sent a CPCS logbook. The role of the logbook is to record life-long learning and evidence towards the renewal of a competent operator card.

Training

Training towards a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card is varied and is dependent on the type of course and role.

Training available include courses for:

Crane Operator

Telescopic Handler

Banksman Slinger/Signaller

Forward Tipping Dumpers

For more information on courses available please see HERE

FAQs

CPCS stands for the Construction Plant Competence Scheme- a card scheme designed to prove the skills of plant operatives. It is run by the Construction Industry Training Board also known as CITB.
It depends on what line of work you work in. If you work in the construction industry, you'll generally need a CSCS card to get on site. However, if your job is to operate plant on construction sites, you will be better getting a CPCS card, provided through the Construction Plant Competence Scheme.
CSCS does not issue cards to workers in the plant sector. Instead, CSCS is partnered with a number of card schemes which provide their own skills certification cards.
An NVQ is a work-based award that is achieved through assessment and training. Your Assessor will assist you to create a portfolio specific to the category of plant that you’re skilled in. If you hold an existing Red Card upon completion it will automatically be upgraded into a CPCS Blue Card.
The Red Trained Operator Card shows that you have been tested to CPCS standards.
The Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card shows your competency in the role.
If you are working in construction in the UK then most probably yes. UKCG insist that operatives working on their sites must hold a CPCS card. Many other employers are also demanding the same requiring their employees to hold relevant cards to prove their skills.
To get a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card you must: hold a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card for the category which is within 12 months of expiry date. pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years. achieve an SVQ or NVQ, with the appropriate units relevant to the category.
The Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card lasts for 5 years and can easily be renewed with a simple renewal test.
To renew your Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card you must: hold a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card for the category which is within five years of expiry date pass the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test within the last two years pass the CPCS Renewal test for each category held* demonstrated on-going practical operating experience through a choice of routes: Logbook On-Site Assessment CPCS Practical test SVQ or NVQ
Some operators can apply for a Blue CPCS card without having a Red CPCS card. If this is the case for you, then you must have earned either an NVQ or SVQ relevant to the category of card for which you are applying for. In addition to that you must pass the CPCS Technical Tests in the related category of CPCS Course: CPCS Theory Test (within 2 years of passing the HS&E Test) CPCS Practical Test (within 6 months of passing the Technical Test and within 2 years of passing the HS&E Test).
There is no higher level of CPCS card available then the Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card, but operators can improve their skills and career prospects by adding more endorsements and/or categories to their existing cards. This would require earning more relevant NVQs or SVQs, and taking the relevant HS&E and Technical Tests.