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Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

The Red CPCS Trained Operator Card confirms a level of core skills, knowledge and understanding that can be applied in the workplace until measured as competent against national standards. This card is the first card you will receive after passing your CPCS technical test before you can progress on to a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card.

LICENCE Name

Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

AUTHORITY

CITB: Construction Industry Training Board

TIME TO GET LICENCED 2 years
COST £25
VALID FOR 2 years
ELIGIBILITY 18+ years, right to work in UK, relevant training and qualifications
QUALIFICATION(S) NEEDED 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 the 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 a Red CPCS Trained Operator Card?

What is a Red CPCS Trained Operator Card?

The Red Trained Operator Card confirms a level of core skills, knowledge and understanding that can be applied in the workplace until measured as competent against national standards.

Experienced and able operators may hold a trained operator card whilst being measured against national standards through an SVQ or NVQ.

This card is a 2-year temporary card and you must pass your Level 2 Plant NVQ within this time frame to be able to renew it into a full 5-year Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card.

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 Red CPCS Trained Operator Card

To get the Red CPCS Trained Operator Card you must:

carry out any training necessary to bring you up to the standard required to enable you to pass the CPCS technical test. This can be delivered by a trainer.

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 Red CPCS Trained Operator Card on your behalf.

What is the next step?

Once you have proven yourself competent (both with practical experience and by gaining a relevant SVQ or NVQ), you should apply for the Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card.

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.
Some operators can apply for a Blue CPCS Competent Operator 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).
The Trained Operator Red Card lasts for a period of 2 years and is not renewable – it must be upgraded with the relevant NVQ to a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card.