How to get a CISRS card

The courses you must pass in order to get a green, red, blue, or gold CISRS scaffolder card, and the courses available at the National Construction College.

Scaffolder's Labourer (green) Card

For those who are new to the scaffolding industry.

To get a green card, you need to pass:

You might need to renew your card every five years.

Trainee Scaffolder (red) Card

The red card proves you can safely erect and dismantle basic structures.

To get a red card, you need to pass:

Scaffolder (blue) Card

This card proves your knowledge of different scaffolding structures and their implementation on construction sites.

To get a Scaffolder (blue) Card, you need these in this order:

  1. Six months' site experience after completing Scaffolding Part 1

  2. CISRS Scaffolding Part 2: Tube and Fitting or System Scaffold

  3. NVQ/SVQ Level 2 site diary sent for assessment and verified by NCC

  4. Further six months' site experience

  5. CISRS Level 2 Skills Assessment (1 day).

Advanced Scaffolder (gold) Card

For more experienced scaffolders who want to broaden their knowledge of the industry. The gold card proves your knowledge of complex scaffolding structures, how they are raised and dismantled on site, and the more administrative elements of the sector.

To get an Advanced Scaffolder (gold) Card, you need these in this order:

  1. Hold a Scaffolder (blue) Card for 12 months.

  2. CISRS Advanced Scaffolder course

  3. NVQ/SVQ Level 3 site diary sent for assessment and verified by NCC

  4. Six months' site experience

  5. CISRS Level 3 Skills Assessment (2-day).