Construction Skills Certification Scheme
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) programmes provide for the training, assessment, certification and registration of non-craft operatives, providing the knowledge and skills needed for occupations within the construction sector.
The scheme was developed following detailed consultation with social partners (Construction Industry Federation and ICTU), the Health and Safety Authority and specialist working groups to identify the training needs and occupational standards required for a range of occupations in the construction sector.
The scheme is divided into eight occupational categories, with each category requiring a different CSCS Registration Card. Information on CSCS is provided under Schedule 5 of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This schedule provides the list of prescribed occupations which are under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, click here for occupations.
Anyone working in one of these occupations is legally required to hold a SOLAS CSCS Registration Card.
CSCS programmes are delivered by SOLAS Approved Training Organisations. When you successfully complete the Experienced Operator programme you will receive QQI certification and a CSCS Registration Card.
For more information on course content, fees and Approved Training Organisations, see Course Information:
New Entrants - Plant Operator
On successful completion of the new entrant course, participants receive a SOLAS CSCS New Entrant Registration Card with an expiry date of two years from the date of the course.
This two-year period is to enable participants to acquire the minimum of six months experience required to attend a CSCS experienced operator course.
For further information, you should contact one of the CSCS Approved Training Organisations.
Renewing or replacing your card
Your CSCS Experienced Operator registration card is valid for 5 years.
If you go on to successfully complete additional programmes in a category, your Registration Card will remain valid for 5 years from the most recent renewal date.
To renew a CSCS Experienced Operator Registration Card, complete the online form, attach a current passport-quality photograph and make an online payment. Cards will be renewed for a further 5 years from the date of application.
If your CSCS Registration Card has been lost, stolen or damaged you can apply for a replacement for an administrative fee. Please complete the Online Replacement Card Form, attach a current passport-quality photograph and make an online payment.
Más mian leat an t-iarratas a chomhlánú i nGaeilge, seol ríomhphost chuig csuinfo@solas.ie
Please note: Your application to renew or replace your card may be rejected if the photograph is not of high quality. In this case, your fee will be refunded. Replacement and renewed CSCS Registration Cards are issued within 2-3 weeks provided that all of the information is correct. The renewal/replacement fee is €32 per card.
Fees and Waivers
Your Approved Training Organisation will charge a fee to cover the cost of the training programme, the QQI certification, and an administration fee for issuing your SOLAS CSCS Registration Card.
For more information on course fees, check with one of the CSCS Approved Training Organisation.
Waivers for CSCS QQI Certification Fee
“Waivers in respect of further education and training award (certification) fees are available to social welfare recipients and/or medical cardholders. Providers should have a procedure to verify that a learner satisfies the exemption criteria and should retain this evidence.”
If you are eligible for a waiver of the CSCS QQI Certification Fee as per the above statement, please download the Waiver Application form here. For Social Welfare recipients, Section 2 must be signed and stamped by your local Social Welfare Officer. For Medical Card Holders you must present your Medical Card to the Approved Training Organisation on the first day of your CSCS Experienced Operator Programme.
Queries regarding eligibility should be directed to QQI.
CSCS Occupational Categories & Fees
CSCS Plant Card €32
180° Excavator
Telescopic Handler
Tractor/Dozer
Mobile Crane
360° Excavator
Slinger/Signaller
Articulated Dumper
Crawler Crane
Mini Excavator
Self Erect Tower Crane
Site Dumper
Tower Crane
CSCS Roofing Card €32
Roof and Wall Sheeting/Cladding
Built-Up Roof Felting
- Bituminous
- Single Ply Roofing Systems
CSCS Scaffolding Card €32
Scaffolding Basic
Scaffolding Advanced
CSCS Mobile Tower Scaffold Card €32
Mobile Tower Scaffold
CSCS Locating Underground Services Card €32
Locating Underground Services
CSCS Signing, Lighting & Guarding at Roadworks Card €32
Signing, Lighting & Guarding at Roadworks
CSCS Health and Safety Roadworks Card €32
Health and Safety Roadworks
CSCS Shot firing Card €32
Shot Firing
CSCS FAQs
Are equivalent international qualifications recognised in Ireland?
EU Applications
SOLAS, through its Construction Services Unit (Operations Section) has a system in place for the recognition of qualifications of citizens of EU member states wishing to operate in the construction sector in the Republic of Ireland. The process is governed by S.1.No. 8 of 2017- European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017.
The recognition process only applies to the regulated occupation contained in Schedule 5 of S.I.No.291 of 2013 – Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. Note that skills must have been acquired in an EU member state.
3rd Country (Non-EU) Applications.
Applicants seeking recognition of their 3rd Country qualifications are required to submit a detailed CV, including reference(s) from previous employers confirming the applicant's work experience, a copy of their valid operator’s card/licence and associated certification to SOLAS, as the Competent Authority.
Please be advised as the Competent Authority, SOLAS will review all 3rd Country qualification recognition applications on an individual basis. Subsequent review decisions will be determined by the standard of training, certification, and work experience of an applicant.
Enquiries to rpq@solas.ie
Can I transfer a UK Competent Operator Card to a SOLAS CSCS Experienced Operator Card?
From the 1 January 2021 individuals seeking recognition of UK qualifications in order to acquire CSCS or QSCS cards will be subject to the same conditions as all other third country applications. Therefore, applicants seeking recognition of their UK qualification are required to submit a detailed CV, including reference(s) from previous employers confirming the applicant's work experience, a copy of their valid operator’s card and associated certification to SOLAS, as the Competent Authority, to: RPQ@solas.ie
Note: Please be advised as the Competent Authority, SOLAS will review all UK qualification recognition applications on an individual basis. Subsequent review decisions will be determined by the standard of training, certification and work experience of an applicant. Review decisions may vary with some applicants required to successfully undertake and complete a CSCS or QSCS theoretical and or practical assessment(s), while other applicants may need to participate and successfully complete a CSCS or QSCS programme. As SOLAS does not currently have agreement with awarding bodies in the UK, SOLAS is unable to offer a comparable qualification exchange process. In this regard SOLAS has contacted NOCON (previously CITB) to explore the potential for an agreed comparable qualification exchange process. SOLAS will update this statement when the discussion between NOCON and SOLAS have been agreed and finalised.
Can I transfer a SOLAS CSCS Experienced Operator Card to a UK CPCS Competent Operator Card?
If you hold a valid SOLAS CSCS Plant Operator Card, you can apply for the equivalent blue CPCS Plant Operators Card.
To apply for this certification you must:
Hold a valid SOLAS CSCS Registration Card in the relevant category.
Complete a CPCS Skills and Experience Interview and Theory Test in the relevant category.
Have completed the Construction Skills Health, Safety and Environment test within the previous two years.
The CPCS theory test, Skills and Experience Interview and Construction Skills Health, Safety and Environment test are available at the Mount Lucas Training Facility.
For further information and booking forms, please contact:
Mount Lucas Construction Training Facility, Mount Lucas, Daingean, Co. Offaly
Phone: [057] 9362508
Data Protection: Information provided by you or others (such as your Approved Training Provider) will be processed by SOLAS for the purpose of assessing, providing and administrating the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. For further details please see the
Data Protection Notice
Data Protection Notice As Gaeilge