How you renew depends on which NPORS card you hold. There are two types, the NPORS CSCS card and the NPORS Traditional card, and they work differently. Check your card first: it will show the CSCS logo if it's a CSCS card, and say whether you're a Trained or Competent Operator.
Not sure which type you have, or which you should have? Read our guide to NPORS CSCS cards vs Traditional cards.
Renewing an NPORS CSCS card
Red Trained Operator card
The red card is valid for two years and can't be renewed. It's designed as a stepping stone: during those two years you need to register for and achieve the Level 2 NVQ for your category of plant.
Once you've completed the NVQ, you upgrade to the Blue Competent Operator card. Don't leave it until the last few weeks. The NVQ is assessed on site and building your evidence takes time, so start as soon as you can.
Blue Competent Operator card
The blue card lasts five years and comes with a CPD record and operator logbook. Keep the logbook up to date as you work: it's your evidence of ongoing experience when it's time to renew.
At renewal you'll normally need to show that logbook evidence and pass a renewal test for the category. If you've been off the machine for a while, a short refresher before the test is a good idea, usually half a day to a day.
Don't forget the HS&E test
For any NPORS CSCS card you need to have passed the NPORS or CITB Health, Safety & Environment touch screen test within the two years before you apply. The test and your card won't always expire at the same time, so check both dates and sort the test out early if it's due.
Renewing an NPORS Traditional card
The Traditional card works on any site where a CSCS-logo card isn't specifically required, from smaller contractors to farms, estates and industry. It doesn't carry the CSCS logo and it's issued as a 3 or 5 year registration, agreed between you or your employer and the training provider.
To renew, NPORS asks card holders to create a login on its online portal, where your renewal details are shown. If a refresher or renewal test is needed, we can run it for you at our Meopham centre or on your site.
The Traditional card doesn't need the NVQ or an HS&E test. But if you're moving onto Tier 1 sites, or working for Tier 2 contractors that require it, renewal is a good time to switch to the CSCS route instead. Talk to us and we'll work out what you need.
How we can help
- Experienced worker tests, refreshers and renewal tests at our Meopham centre or on your site.
- Level 2 NVQs for 13 plant and construction categories, assessed on your site, to take you from red to blue card.
- Group bookings for teams whose cards expire around the same time.
Keeping track of everyone's expiry dates is a job in itself. That's exactly why we built TrainTrack, which reminds you at 90, 30, 14 and 7 days before any certificate expires.