Both the GQA and CITB CSCS Green Card routes can lead to a green card for labouring work, but they are not exactly the same. The best option normally comes down to which card you need, the full cost of getting it, and how long the whole process takes. It is worth checking the full process rather than only looking at how long the classroom course takes.
The short answer
The GQA route can be a good option where an approved centre offers the course, test and card as a clear package and the GQA CSCS Q-Card is suitable for the work you are doing. The CITB route is the more familiar option for many people and uses the one-day Health and Safety Awareness course before applying for the standard CSCS Labourer card.
Whichever route you take, you will normally still need to pass the relevant health, safety and environment test. Completing the classroom course by itself does not automatically mean the green card is ready.
Quick comparison of GQA and CITB CSCS Green Card routes
Point | GQA route | CITB CSCS Green Card route |
Main achievement | GQA Level 1 Award in Construction Health and Safety | CITB Health and Safety Awareness certificate |
Card normally obtained | Green CSCS Q-Card issued through GQA | Green CSCS Labourer card |
Site acceptance | CSCS-logoed card intended for industry-wide acceptance | Widely recognised standard CSCS card |
Course format | Set by the approved centre. Delivery can vary and some centres offer a one-day class. | One day / 7 hours |
Additional test | Relevant GQA or CITB operatives test, depending on the route | CITB HS&E test for operatives |
Course price | Set by individual training centres | Set by providers; CITB NCC advertises from £149 |
What is the GQA route?
GQA Qualifications is an awarding organisation and is part of the CSCS Alliance. Its Level 1 Award in Construction Health and Safety covers the main safety topics a labourer should understand, including risk assessments, method statements, emergency procedures, manual handling, health risks at work and working at height.
According to the GQA qualification specification, there are 21 guided learning hours and 40 hours of total qualification time. Some approved training centres advertise one-day delivery. Because of this, learners should ask the centre how the teaching, assessment and certificate claim actually works as it depends on cetre how they design this. A one-day class does not always mean the card will also be issued on the same day but most centre do only one day class and same day exam.
After successfully completing the qualification, the learner can use it when applying for the GQA green CSCS Q-Card. GQA accepts the relevant GQA or CITB operatives test, subject to the current scheme rules. The first green Card is for genuine labouring work and is valid for two years.
What is the CITB CSCS Green Card route?
The CITB Health and Safety Awareness course, usually called HSA, is a one-day Site Safety Plus course. It looks at workers' responsibilities, employers duties, common construction hazards and what workers should do if health and safety is being put at risk.
CSCS accepts the HSA course as an alternative to the Level 1 Award when applying for a Labourer card. The HSA certificate itself is valid for five years, although CSCS has its own timing requirements when the certificate is being used for a card application or renewal.
One important point: the HSA course and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test are two different things. A learner using the CITB CSCS Green Card route will normally complete the HSA course and assessment and then separately pass the CITB HS&E test for operatives.
Will both cards be accepted on site?
A valid GQA Card carrying the CSCS logo should be accepted in the same way as another suitable CSCS logoed card. CSCS has advised the industry that GQA Cards should be accepted where the card is valid, in date and appropriate for the person's occupation.
In practice, the important thing is not whether the cards look exactly the same. Site staff can check a card through CSCS Smart Check, which confirms details such as the card scheme, card type, expiry date and qualifications recorded against it.
This still does not mean a card guarantees entry to every construction site. A principal contractor may have extra requirements for competence, induction, security or the client. The card also needs to match the job. For example, somebody working as an electrician, bricklayer, carpenter or plant operator should have the correct card for that occupation rather than using a green Labourer card as a shortcut.
Which route costs less?
There is not one fixed learner price across the country for either route. Training providers set their own fees and, more importantly, not every advertised package includes the same things. One centre may include the test and card application while another price may only cover training and assessment.
- CITB's National Construction College advertises the HSA course from £149 with no VAT.
- Current GQA provider examples can vary quite a lot, from around £249 for course-only bookings to £350 plus VAT or more.
- The official CSCS card application costs £36.
- From 1 April 2026, the CITB HS&E test costs £23.50.
When we compared the prices, the advertised is not always the final cost of card. Before booking, ask whether the price includes awarding-body registration, assessment, the separate test, card application, VAT, resits, certificate processing and revision material.
Simple cost check: a cheap-looking course can end up costing more once all the compulsory extras are added. Where possible, official tests and card applications should be booked directly because third-party services may add their own administration charges.
Which route is faster?
The CITB CSCS Green Card route is quite simple to understand because HSA is a defined one-day course. Once the learner has completed HSA and passed the separate HS&E test, the Labourer card application can be submitted. CSCS says an approved application should normally result in the card arriving within five working days, though checks on the course certificate or application can sometimes add extra time.
GQA can also be a quick route, especially if a centre manages the qualification, test and Q-Card process together even faster than the CITB one. The actual time can depend more on assessment and how quickly the qualification or certificate is claimed. So if a centre advertises a one-day class, do not automatically assume you will have the physical card in your hand that day it include study + exam. In many cases the card is posted to the learner's home address and may take around 10 working days.
The quickest genuine option is normally the one where the course date is available early, the test is already arranged, the assessment process is clear and the centre processes the certificate without delay. Learners should be careful with anyone promising a guaranteed card without proper training, assessment and identity checks.
A green card does not automatically mean site access
The green card is specifically for people carrying out labouring duties. It is not the right card for recognised skilled occupations such as carpenters, electricians, bricklayers or plant operators.
Since February 2025, the first Labourer card has been issued for two years. If somebody continues working as a labourer, they will need to provide the required evidence when renewing it. A person who is already working towards, or already holds, an accepted occupational qualification may not need a separate green card course at all. The CSCS Card Finder should be checked to make sure the card matches the actual job being done.
Final view
From my research, both routes can be used for a green card but there are some differences. CITB is probably more familiar to people, while GQA gives a Level 1 qualification and Card. Before booking I think the main thing is to check exactly what is included in the price and whether GQA CSCS Green card is right for your job.
Before paying any training centre, I would check three things: is the provider approved, is the card suitable for the work you actually do, and does the quoted price include every stage you need? Those checks are more useful than simply choosing a course because of the logo shown at the top of an advert.
Official sources
- GQA Level 1 Award in Construction Health and Safety
- GQA CSCS Q-Card guidance
- CSCS Labourer card requirements
- CSCS guidance on acceptance of GQA Q-Cards
- CITB Health and Safety Awareness course
- CSCS notice of 2026 CITB price changes
