Frequently asked questions

There is nothing you need to start your training, however in order to carry out a CPCS Technical Test an individual must have a Health & Safety Environment Test completed within the last 2 years. For further details to see whether you’ve got the appropriate HSE Test or for a reminder when the expiry date of your test is, feel free to contact us via this contact form and we will happily check your details on the CITB System.

A CPCS Card is a license that proves your ability to operate construction plant at the highest level. There are two types: The Trained Operator Red Card, which is the first card you will receive, and the Competent Operator Blue Card which you will need to work up to. Both these cards show a great deal of competence on specific items of plant and are recognised nationwide as the preferred proof of competence within the industry. With a CPCS Card you will appear more attractive to employers, making it easier to find work and will be able to get onto the biggest Construction sites, with the strictest safety polices.

CPCS Trained Operator Red Card – To gain a Red Card you need to have a valid HSE Test, pass a CPCS theory test and a CPCS practical test. Competent Operator Blue Card – You must have a valid HSE Test and pass both CPCS Theory & Practical Tests whilst holding an NVQ for a specific category. The most common way to gain a Blue Card is by upgrading your existing Red Card. However if you have an NVQ Prior to undertaking your technical tests, it will automatically be upgraded to a Blue Card.

The National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) is a UK Accreditation and Registration Body, working across the Construction, Industrial, Utilities, Warehousing and Distribution, Agricultural, Ports and Marine sectors.

Age limits: due to the “Age Discrimination Act”, there are no minimum age limits for obtaining this plant operator card. However, the schemes “Policies and Procedures” must be complied with. The legal requirement for the operation of Plant and Equipment is that employees must have received adequate “Plant Training and Authorised” to operate the specific item of plant as required by Regulation 9 of the “Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998”. Employers may impose specific age limits due to insurance implications and clarification should be sought from your employer.

We have a dedicated group of NVQ Assessors and Internal Verifiers with expertise in all aspects of the NVQ qualifications we have to offer. With a wide range of construction and management options available, we are able to provide a solution to suit the needs of your occupation and position. Alongside conventional OSAT NVQs, so as long as you have over 2 years’ experience on the plant you are hoping to complete your NVQ on, we can offer you this option of NVQ. This will of course save you time and money! See below for more details on the NVQ awards we have to offer: L4 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Supervision- Building and Civil Engineering L5 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations- Planning Lifts (Construction) L2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations- Slinger Signaller (Construction) L3 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations- Supervising Lifts (Construction) L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Compacting L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Cranes and Specialist Lifting L2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction)- Cranes and Specialist Lifting L2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction)- Excavating Plant L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Extracting L2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction)- Extracting Plant L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Fork-lift Trucks L2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction)- Laying and Distributing Plant L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Loading and Securing L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Processing L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Transporting Loads L2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction)- Transporting Loads Plant L2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction)- Work Platforms

An NVQ is a job related, competency based award that is achieved through training and assessments. Once registered to a centre, you will also gain a year’s extension on your CPCS Red Card (If you hold an existing valid card). During the NVQ the assessor will create your own portfolio specific to the category of plant that you’re skilled in. The most common form of assessment is an On Site Assessment. The reason this is popular is it has the minimum impact on a busy schedule. The assessor will travel to your place of work and watch you undertaking the various responsibilities that you must do on a day to day basis in order to complete your portfolio. Upon completion of the NVQ, you should be eligible for a Blue Card providing you have things in place (such as a valid HSE Test and your Red Card has not expired) The requirements to get your Blue Card will differ from person to person but feel free to get in touch in order to find out what is specific to you.

Our NVQ’s establish proof of industry competence against set industry standards. CSCS & CPCS cards are essential for working on most construction sites as well as advancing into more specialised roles in your career. We have different levels of cards depending on your requirements and all are gained as part of a broader NVQ.

You will need the following information before you can book a HS&E test: The test you need to take – Operative, Labourer, Specialist, or Managers and Professionals Whether you require any special assistance Your address details National Insurance Number Your CITB registration number – You will have this number if you have taken the test before, or applied for certain card schemes (CSCS, CPCS, CISRS, etc)

You need to visit a CITB approved centre to sit the HS&E test, and there are three different types: A fixed test centre operated by your delivery provider – Find your nearest test centre An independent Internet Test Centre (ITC) – These are operated by colleges, training providers or commercial organisations (you will need to contact them directly to book a test)

All tests last for 45 minutes and have 50 multiple-choice questions including: 12 behavioural case study questions about how you should behave on a construction site to stay safe 38 knowledge questions to check your awareness of health, safety and environment issues

You can order revision material in the following ways: Online through CITB’s Health, safety and environment test online store By phoning CITB on 0344 994 4488. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturdays 8am to 12pm Through bookshops on the high street or online Through your Apple or Android app store

Features of the app include: On the move and want to revise for your HS&E test? Test your knowledge with the official CITB revision apps – wherever you are and whatever you are doing for just £5.99. The apps are available to purchase for both Operatives and specialist & Managers and professionals tests. New word search facility to help you revise key areas of concern Access to the full suite of revision material and sample case studies A timed practice test in the same format as the real test Full progress reports so that you can review your progress and identify gaps in your knowledge The Operatives and specialist app is available in 14 different languages including Polish, Bulgarian and Portuguese How to download Ops & Specialist App Download app store MAP App Download app store Ops & Specialist App Android app download MAP App Android app download