Red Card
Blue Card
CPCS Trained Operator Card
CPCS Competent Operator Card
Do you have a relevant NVQ or SVQ in Plant Operations?
Opius
Training
HS&E test
£24.50
1
CPCS
Renewal test
£36.00
For 5 modules
A maximum fee
is set for the
practical test
dependent on
the category
group.
Find this in the
scheme booklet
for Test Centres
or call
0844 815 7274.
Grant eligible of
£60 for passing
the theory test
per category,
plus up to £410
for passing the
practical tests
for in-scope
registered
employers.
Grant eligible
£400 PLUS £300
for up to three
additional plant
units for
in-scope
registered
employers.
Visit
www.citb.co.uk/
levy-grant
YES
NO
1
Health, Safety & Environment Test
You need to have taken and passed the
HS&E test in the last two years.
Health, Safety & Environment Test
You need to have taken and passed the
HS&E test in the last two years.
2
2
3
3
Basic Training
Undertake basic or refresher training on
the category, complete a training course
at an approved CPCS Test Centre.
Booking Theory & Technical Tests
Book the relevant theory then technical
test(s) with an approved
CPCS Test Centre.
Take and pass your CPCS technical test
undertaking theory and practical
elements in the right plant category.
YOUR RED CARD WILL BE
AWARDED AUTOMATICALLY
Download the
HS&E test app
from app store
and google play
and revise on the
move
Refresher Training
Keep your skills up to date and
eliminate bad habits.
Complete refresher training.
Booking Theory &Technical Tests
Book the relevant technical test(s)
with an approved CPCS Test Centre.
Take and pass your CPCS technical test
undertaking theory and practical
elements in the right plant category.
Download free
training materials
for your plant
category at
www.citb.co.uk/
cpcs
APPLY FOR YOUR BLUE
CARD TO BE A CPCS
COMPETENT OPERATOR
4
Obtain an NVQ or an SVQ
Register for and achieve a relevant
NVQ or SVQ for the plant category you
operate. This MUST be done within 2
years of your Red Card being issued
APPLY FOR YOUR BLUE
CARD TO BECOME A CPCS
COMPETENT OPERATOR
Renew your Blue card every 5 years*
How to renew your Blue card
 Pass the HS&E test (within the last 2 years)
 Pass the renewal test modules for each
category you wish to renew
Plus achieve one of the following
 Record at least 300 hours per
category in your logbook
 Complete an on site assessment
 Complete a practical test
Visit
cpcsrt.citb.co.uk
and use the
module matcher
to identify the
relevant renewal
test modules
Renewal requirements
CPCS-RT
RENEWAL TEST
To renew your CPCS Competent Operator card you must meet the following requirements:

Pass the relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment test

Pass the CPCS Renewal test for each category or group of categories held

Hold a valid Competent Operator card
Demonstrate ongoing practical operating experience through a choice of routes:
 Logbook
 On-Site Assessment
 CPCS practical test
 SVQ or NVQ**
** Note: Where SVQ or NVQ units relevant to a category being renewed have been achieved within the previous two years of the
renewal date, the log book or on-site assessment does not need to be undertaken in order to renew that category.
You can book back to back tests with Opius Training Solutions.
Book your Health, Safety and Environment test plus your CPCS-RT Renewal test (up to 5modules) together. If you need
more than 5 modules you will have to take an additional test.
The CPCS-RT Renewal test is designed to check up-to-date; safety-specific underpinning knowledge and understanding
related to each category that you wish to renew. The test uses the same method of delivery as the Health, Safety and
Environment test.
In order to check which modules you need to book we advise you to go to www.citb.co.uk/cpcsdownloads to access
the Module Matcher. The Module Matcher will indicate which modules need booking relative to the categories held on
a card. Factsheets are available for each module outlining the topic area from which questions will be based. These fact
sheets can be downloaded free of charge from the CPCS website and the study of each factsheet will prepare you for
each module.
Code
CPCS-RT Module name
Code
CPCS-RT Module name
RT02
Crawler crane above 10 tonnes
RT34
Crawler - tractor/dozer
RT04
Tower crane
RT35
Crawler - tractor/side boom
RT05
Dragline
RT36
Lorry loader
RT06
Truck mounted boom concrete pump
RT37
Trencher
RT09
Forward tipping dumper
RT39
Skip handler
RT12
Excavator 180
RT40
Slinger/signaller
RT14
Masted forklift truck
RT41
Loader-compressor
RT17
Telescopic handler
RT42
Crusher
RT19
Grader
RT43
Screener
RT20
Hoist
RT44
Trailer mounted concrete pump
RT21
Wheeled loading shovel
RT45
Piling rig
RT22
Tracked loading shovel
RT49
Loader/securer - non STGO
RT23
Skid steer loader
RT50
Loader/securer - STGO
RT24
Motorised scraper
RT56
Dump trucks
RT25
Mobile elevating work platform - scissor
RT59
Excavator 360
RT26
Mobile elevating work platform - boom
RT60
Mobile crane
RT27
Mobile elevating work platform - mast climber
RT61
Appointed person
RT30
Piling rig tripod
RT62
Crane lifting operations supervisor
RT31
Ride on roller
RT63
Pedestrian operated tower crane
RT32
Soil/landfill compactor
RT65
Demolition plant
RT33
Agricultural tractor
RT66
Compact crane
Opius Training Solutions Ltd provide many NVQ qualifications relevant to workers in the
Construction industry and for workers involved in Plant Operations who need to progress to
the CPCS Blue Competent Operator card.
These qualifications have been developed for delivery in a working environment; this means
you need to be employed to study . They have been designed to develop and recognise your
skills, knowledge and competence so that you can work in your chosen category within the construction
industry or progress to further learning.
Below are some examples of the NVQ Level 2 Certificates and Diploma’s which we currently provide as an
accredited training provider for CITB Cskills. If you do not see the right qualification for you please let us
know and we will do our best to source it for you.
Why not call Opius Training Solution today for a no obligation discussion on your requirements. We promise
that when you study with Opius Training Solutions we support you every step of the way to help you to
successfully complete your qualification and enhance your career prospects.
Opius Training Solutions Limited
A2 Marquis Court
Team Valley Trading Estate
Gateshead
NE11 0RU
Tel: 0191 491-5492
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction) Fork-lift Trucks (QUB862)
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction) Extracting (QUC862)
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction) Compacting (QUG862)
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction) Transporting Loads (QUD862)
There are a number of other pathways available including:

Cranes and Specialist Lifting

Work Platforms

Laying and Distributing

Processing

Loading and Securing

Road/Rail

Attachments*

Excavating

Sweeping, Cleaning, Clearing

Operations Guide

Movement Guide
*The above Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations - Attachments qualification also appears as a Diploma with the
same title. If you are interested in completing this qualification, please look closely at the optional unit groups for the
machine you wish to specialise in.
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Services
Construction Operations (Construction) General Building Operations (QUG857)
Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction) Excavating Plant (QUN862)
There are Level 2 NVQ Diploma’s in Plant Operations available in these occupational areas

Attachments

Constructing and Forming Plant

Cranes and Specialist Lifting Plant

Erecting and Dismantling

Excavating Plant

In-shore Marine

Laying and Distributing Plant

Road Plant or Machinery

Road/Rail Plant

Transporting Loads Plant
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)
provides skills cards for the plant sector of the
Construction Industry. It was launched in 2003 at the
request of employers, to help them comply with
regulations and requirements, and aims to apply
common standards for all plant operators. CPCS covers a
large range of plant and plant related categories and
more are continually being added.
Competence requires continual updating,
which is frequently achieved through lifelong learning
All new applicants, and those adding a category or
renewing a CPCS card need to pass the Health, Safety
and Environment test.
The HS&E test is available at
Opius Training Solutions for only
£24.50 including VAT.
The CPCS-RT Renewal test
with up to 5 modules is
£36.00 including VAT
We have no waiting list and free parking.
After successful completion of the HS&E test you then
need to progress to the CPCS Theory test.
The Aims and Benefits of CPCS
CPCS aims to
 Provide identification for plant operators and those
involved with plant operations by recognising skills,
knowledge and understanding, competence and
qualifications
 Raise health, safety and environment standards
through a programme of Health, Safety and
Environment testing to prove workers haver met
minimum standards
 Provide standards of learning and assessment to
equip individuals with relevant skills and knowledge to
seek employment within industry
 Provide or improve employment prospects
for
individuals and experienced operators
 Keep a record of workers in the construction and
allied industries who have achieved a recognised level
of operating ability and competence, and to provide a
means of identification
 Encourage construction and allied employers to use
certificated and competent plant operators
 Provide certification for UK workers that could be
accepted in Europe through agreements with other
European national schemes to mutually recognise
qualifications.
Membership of the scheme is voluntary,
but is mandatory on many construction sites
and in other work environments.
Competence is the ability to carry out the task in
prescribed circumstances, safely and efficiently.
Competence can be evidenced by demonstrable skill and
knowledge, and documented training and experience.
Competence is not however an "absolute" and for any
given job role there is progression towards greater
competence, during which competence is incrementally
developed throughout the operators career.
© Opius Training Solutions 2016
The CPCS Theory test is part of the CPCS Technical test.
It checks underpinning knowledge and understanding
directly related to a CPCS category. It incorporates
questions related to

Specific category and environment related health
& safety

Operators roles and responsibilities

Pre-start checks

Use of the operators manual

Category specific preparation, operating and shutdown requirements.
There are two levels

The CPCS Standard Theory test for individuals
applying for their first CPCS Operator card, or for
those adding a category to a current CPCS
Operator card

The CPCS Advanced Theory test for individuals
applying for their first Tester card, or for those
adding a category to a current tester card
There is a CPCS Theory test for each category. The CPCS
Theory test must be achieved before the CPCS Practical
test and is valid for 6 months from the date of
achievement for the purpose of progression onto the
CPCS Practical test. This applies to those taking the
Standard Theory test for an Operator card.
You then need to successfully complete an NVQ within
two years of your Red card being issued
The commonest qualifications for CPCS categories are:
Piling Operations

Demolition

Plant Operations (Certificate or Diploma)

Controlling Lifting Operations (for A40,A61 & A62)

Road Building
There are concessions available in various categories so
you need to look at your particular category in the
Scheme booklet a copy of which is available for
download on the CPCS website or ask Opius Training
Solutions to copy one for you.