CSCS card checker: check validity and expiry
By CertKeep Team · Reviewed
Checking your crew’s cards before the next job? Start with the official CSCS Smart Check service, then keep the checked expiry dates together so you can plan renewals.
The Smart Check website and mobile app are free to use. See CSCS’s Smart Check FAQs.
How to check a CSCS card online
- Open CSCS Smart Check and select the card’s issuing scheme.
- Enter the surname and registration number shown on the card.
- Match the returned holder and card details to the person and work. Review validity and expiry; resolve conflicting details first.
On a phone, the Smart Check app can read a contactless physical card using NFC, or scan the QR code on a digital card displayed on another phone. You need an internet connection. If scanning fails, try manual entry.
| Result | Next step |
|---|---|
| Valid | Review the details and record the expiry shown. |
| Expired or not valid | Resolve the status with the issuing scheme before relying on the card. |
| No match or unreadable | Check the scheme, spelling and number. Try manual entry; contact the issuer if it still fails. A failed lookup alone does not prove fraud. |
For checking methods and troubleshooting, use the official Smart Check support guide.
Is CITB’s results checker the same thing?
No. CITB’s checker covers Health, Safety and Environment tests and Site Safety Plus results. A test result is not confirmation of a card’s current status. CITB directs card queries to the issuing scheme, including separate checking links for CPCS and CISRS. Choose the right service on CITB’s official checking page.
Does a valid card guarantee site access?
A CSCS card is not itself a legislative requirement. The principal contractor or client decides its card requirements for site entry. CSCS explains how cards are used.
Employers still need to assess the skills, knowledge, training and experience needed for the work. A card check is only part of that process. See HSE’s contractor guidance for Great Britain.
Keep the checked date ready for the next job
Tracking a green Labourer card? Enter its printed expiry in the free Labourer renewal calculator, then save that date to your private register. Read the two-year change and late-renewal guide.
Once you have the official result, start with one record before creating an account:
- Person: the worker’s name or your internal ID.
- Course / certificate: the card type or training being tracked.
- Reference and expiry: the relevant reference and the actual date shown. Leave the date blank if it still needs checking.
Keep the original card and evidence of your check in your usual secure records. CertKeep currently stores details, not file uploads. Do not copy National Insurance numbers or dates of birth into your register.
Use Due soon to see recorded dates expiring within 30 days, and Needs attention for expired or missing dates. Start renewal preparation earlier if the issuer’s requirements or booking times call for it.
Calendar downloads give you a snapshot to import into your calendar. Download and import an updated file after changing dates; CertKeep does not send automatic expiry emails.
Keep the next renewal in view.
CertKeep gives you a private certificate register with date filters, CSV export and calendar downloads. Start with 10 records free.
The demo needs no sign-in. Your own saved register needs an account and is not public.