RICS recognised by CSCS

Published: March 3, 2021

Most people in construction are familiar with Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. It’s the card that provides proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site.

In most cases applicants are required to achieve a recognised construction related qualification (usually an NVQ or SVQ) as well as pass the Construction Industry Training Board’s health, safety and environment test within the last 2 years.

However, not everyone is aware that CSCS also offer cards for members of certain recognised Professional Bodies. In such instances, applicants for CSCS cards can use their Professional Body membership to prove their competence, rather than the achievement of an N/SVQ or other equivalent qualifications.

CSCS is pleased to announce that Associate and Chartered members, as well as Fellows, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) can use their memberships to apply for CSCS cards.

CSCS has worked closely with the RICS to carry out a detailed mapping exercise of their membership criteria. As a result, the following CSCS cards can now be offered to those at the following level of RICS membership:

Membership level	CSCS card available
Student Student members registered onto an Apprenticeship	Trainee card Apprentice card
Associate (qualified through the recognised Level 3 Apprenticeship) Associate (qualified through the recognised Level 6 Apprenticeship)	Advanced Craft Gold card   PQP card
Associate (all others)	PQP card
Chartered	PQP card
Fellow	PQP card

Alan O’Neile, Head of Communications at CSCS said: “This is another great example of the industry working together to improve standards and safety on UK construction sites. The RICS have been maintaining professional standards in chartered surveying for over 150 years and it is their commitment to continual professional development that really ties in with the objectives of the PQP card.”

The PQP card is valid for five years and all applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.

When applying for this card, Associate RICS members will need to provide a letter from the RICS confirming how they gained their membership to ensure that they are applying for the correct card. Student and Chartered RICS members must provide proof of their current RICS membership. Similarly, RICS Fellows must provide proof of Fellowship.

For further information on applying for CSCS cards click here.