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Home > GQA CSCS Card > GQA Cards
Know The GQA Cards
For professionals in the construction and glazing sectors in the UK, GQA Cards form an important element to demonstrate their skills, training, and awareness of safety. At Coteca, we assist individuals and companies in obtaining the correct GQA Card, undertaking their respective GQA Course, and renewing them smoothly. Wherever in London, Birmingham, Manchester, or Glasgow you may be working, having the correct card is a must for entry onto job sites and staying compliant.
What Are GQA Cards and the GQA Course?
GQA Qualifications is an industry-recognised awarding body that offers role-specific qualifications across multiple sectors, including construction, glass and glazing, printing, and so on. These qualifications are meant to show your competency and are used to lodge an application for the GQA CSCS Card under the national Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
Basically, to apply for a GQA Card, you need to have completed a relevant GQA Course and passed the Health & Safety test. This combination is to prove that you are both qualified and aware of how safe working practices should operate, the requirements for entry onto most UK job sites. Whether you are starting your career or working through the managerial levels, a GQA card provides a pathway corresponding to your period in the industry.
On our platform, you can find a range of construction courses that support construction workers and businesses in the UK in adhering to their health and safety responsibilities. In collaboration with Coteca, you can confidently embark on your CSCS card journey, knowing you have a reliable partner in your pursuit of construction excellence.
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Different Types of Cards Offered Under The GQA Scheme
- There are a few types of GQA Cards given for different periods of experience and role types.
- Red Temporary Card : It is issued to trainees and carry temporary validity, i.e., 12 months.
- Red Apprentice Card : It is issued to apprentices and carry 2 years validity. These cards cannot be renewed, and proof of enrolment in some form of recognized qualification has to be supplied along with the passing of a Health & Safety test.
- Green Labourer Card (also called Construction Site Labourer)
- Blue Skilled Worker Card
- Gold Advance Supervisor or Advance Craft Card
- Black Manager Card
These cards are depending on the role of the worker and the level of qualification achieved. They are valid for a 5-year period, with health and safety tests completed within 2 years.
The Green Card, on the other hand, is issued to workers involved in site construction labouring role. They undertake the GQA Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment Course & CITB Health Safety Test. It has initial validity is 2 years and then renewable for an additional 5 years, provided the worker continues working in a construction and similar role.
Each card shows the workers qualifications, safety credentials, and suitability for the role-every integral part in being able to work on a UK-based construction and glazing project.
Who Is Required to Possess a GQA CSCS Card?
GQA CSCS cards will be required by construction and glazing industry professionals. Whether you are a labourer, bricklayer, or supervisor, having GQA Cards ensures employers and site managers that you have met the installation standards and your skills are accepted for fire-resistant glazing, curtain wall installation, and window fitting.
The GQA CSCS Card is a divisional card that will protect your career. To allow the GQA CSCS Card to be issued for a selected category, one has to undertake a GQA Course relevant to the role undertaken, pass a Health & Safety Test recognized as by GQA or CITB. These cards are accepted within the United Kingdom, especially in those cities where construction standards are tightly regulated and enforced, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Renewing GQA Card and Replacement
A valid card is a criterion for employment. After you purchase a GQA Card, Coteca is there to help you through each stage of the GQA Card Renewal process. Full GQA Cards (Blue, Gold, and Black) are issued for a 5-year period. Two years prior to expiry, you will be required to renew if your Health & Safety test is not up to date; the test must be dated within the last two years to be valid. Once issued, a Green Card is valid for the initial two years. If you remain in a labouring role, this can be renewed for a duration of five years. Interestingly enough, the Health & Safety test taken for obtaining the initial Green Card still holds validity for three years when taken for card renewal.
In the event of a card being lost or expired, Coteca’s experts can help you with the GQA Card Renewal process. Usually, lost cards are reissued as long as the cardholder’s qualifications are still in force and test results remain valid. Our team assembles and submits your documentation in perfect order to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Why GQA Cards Matter?
The GQA Cards are significant for workplace safety and professional protection. One can be refused entry into worksites without the right card, regardless of how skilled he or she may be. These cards establish that you have been trained and considered safe and competent to carry out your tasks. From June 2025 onward, every GQA Card will be equipped with new smart technology, such as chips and QR codes, that allow the use of the CSCS Smart Check app to verify in real-time, furthering site security and simplifying the verification of worker credentials. Therefore, Coteca is here for you, ensuring your card stays ahead of these changes and meets the updated standards.
Where GQA Cards Are in High Demand?
They are especially important in such busy construction markets as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. Employers in these cities often require the cards prior to employment, and site managers regularly visit sites to check compliance. Coteca supports professionals throughout these top UK cities and beyond, whether you are starting a new contract or renewing your credentials.
FAQ's
What is the GQA CSCS Card, and why do I need it?
This document provides evidence that you have completed your GQA qualification and completed a valid Health & Safety test. Various construction and glazing sites around the UK require this for access.
How long does GQA Card Renewal take?
Once you submit your documents and payment, renewal usually takes about 7 working days. Coteca can help to prevent any such delay.
Which Health & Safety test do I need?
Either the GQA Health & Safety or CITB test will be approved, provided it was passed within the last two years or three years if the test is for Green Card renewal.
Can Red Cards be renewed?
No. Red trainee or temporary card holders must convert to a full GQA Card once their qualification or apprenticeship is complete.
Are GQA Cards valid all over the country?
Yes, GQA Cards, bearing the official CSCS logo, are accepted on regulated sites across the UK, especially in towns such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Ready to get started?
Whether you are applying for the first time or need assistance in renewing your GQA Card, Coteca is with you all the way. Contact us now to choose your GQA Course and make the next move in your career.