Red Card expiring? Here's exactly how to get your Blue Card
Your Red Card expires after 2 years. To continue working on construction sites, you'll need to upgrade to a Blue Card - and the only route to that is completing an NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations.
It's a workplace assessment where you prove you can do the job competently, in real working conditions. You should start before your Red Card expires.
NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations is a workplace-based qualification that proves you're competent to operate plant machinery.
This is not a test. Instead, you're assessed on what you actually do at work - operating your machine on real sites, doing real jobs, over a period of time.
Think of it as proof of competence through real-world evidence. You've already passed your CPCS training and test (that's your Red Card). Now you need to demonstrate sustained competence over time in a working environment.
Anyone with a CPCS Red Card who wants to upgrade to a Blue Card before their Red Card expires (2 years from issue).
Your CPCS Red Card is only valid for 2 years. To upgrade to a Blue Card (Competent Operator), you must complete NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations.
Most UK main contractors and construction sites require valid CPCS cards. No Blue Card means no work after your Red Card expires.
The Blue Card demonstrates full competence, improves employability, and opens doors to better roles. It's valid for 5 years and renewable, giving you long-term security.
Understanding the two-stage CPCS qualification pathway
Trained Operator
Passed training and testing
2 years (not renewable)
CPCS training + theory + practical test
Entry-level qualification
Allows you to start working
Cannot be renewed - must upgrade to Blue
Competent Operator
Proven workplace competence
5 years (renewable)
Red Card + NVQ Level 2
Full professional qualification
Proves sustained competence
Renewable every 5 years
Bottom line: The Red Card gets you started. The Blue Card proves you're competent and keeps you working long-term.
Step-by-step: what actually happens
A member of our NVQ team will talk you through the enrollment process and options available to you. You'll be assigned an assessor.
With the support of your assessor, you gather evidence of your competence: photos, job sheets, witness statements, method statements, risk assessments.
Your assessor will arrange to visit you on site to observe your work at a convenient time.
Once you have demonstrated competency across all your mandatory units: health & safety, productive working practices, and machine-specific operations. Your Award will be claimed.
You receive your NVQ Level 2 certificate from our awarding body, NOCN.
A member of the team will be more than happy to help with your Blue card application.
Building your NVQ portfolio is key to proving your competency and achieving your Award. Examples of evidence include:
Your assessor needs to confirm you can:
Most operators complete NVQ Level 2 within 3 to 9 months. But the actual time depends entirely on:
Your Red Card expires 2 years after issue. You need to complete your NVQ and apply for your Blue Card before that deadline.
You can enroll and start your NVQ at any point after gaining your Red card.
If your Red Card expires before you complete your NVQ we may be able to get an extension in order for you to complete your Award.
Your NVQ assessor is there to observe you working, verify your evidence, and confirm you're competent.
This depends on:
NVQ costs vary, but funding is often available
For employers who pay CITB levy:
CITB offers grant funding for NVQ Level 2 qualifications. If your employer is a CITB levy payer, they can claim grants to offset the cost of your NVQ assessment.
How it works: Your employer applies for the grant through their CITB account. The grant is paid directly to them, not you.
For self-employed or if employer funding isn't available:
You can pay for your NVQ directly. Costs vary depending on your machine categories and location.
Why it's worth it: Your Blue Card is essential for ongoing work. Think of it as an investment in your livelihood - without it, you can't operate after your Red Card expires.
Shop around for NVQ providers. Prices and service levels vary.
Many employers will pay:
Construction companies often fund NVQs for their operators as part of workforce development. It's in their interest to have Blue Card holders on their books.
Ask your employer: "Will you fund my NVQ Level 2 so I can upgrade to Blue Card?" Many will say yes.
If you're agency or subcontractor, it's worth asking - you might be surprised.
No. It's a workplace-based assessment, not a course. You don't attend training sessions. You're assessed on what you do at work. Think of it as proving competence, not learning new skills.
Yes. If you have competency and access to the required machinery you could do your NVQ before taking CPCS technical tests. You would not receive a Blue card until you took a CPCS theory and practical test.
No. The whole point is that it's done alongside your normal work. Assessor visits might take a few hours out of your day, but otherwise you're working as usual and gathering evidence as you go.
NVQ is competence-based, not pass/fail like an exam. If your assessor identifies gaps, you continue working and gathering more evidence. You work with your assessor until all units are completed to the required standard.
The cost of your NVQ depends on several factors such as: The amount and type of machines (units), site location, etc. A member of our team will be able to provide a cost.
Partially. Some portfolio work and communication with your assessor can be done remotely (email, phone, video calls). But you'll need at least one on-site observation where your assessor watches you work.
No. NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations covers different categories for different machines. An excavator NVQ is different from a telehandler NVQ. You complete the NVQ for the specific machine(s) you operate.
No, the NVQ is made up of separate units which cover similar groupings of machinery. If you add a machine later that falls in to one of the units you already hold, then that machine will go straight onto a Blue CPCS card. If you add a machine later and don't hold the unit then we will need to add a unit to your NVQ in order to upgrade it to a Blue card.
It depends. If your Blue Card expired and you're applying for a new one, CPCS may accept your original NVQ Level 2 if it's recent enough. But if it's been years, they may require evidence of recent competence or a refreshed NVQ. Check with CPCS directly for your situation.
The NVQ itself is the same - NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations from an approved awarding body. It's recognized by both CPCS and NPORS. Whether you're getting a CPCS Blue Card or NPORS Competent Operator Card, the NVQ requirement is identical.
No. Once you've completed NVQ Level 2, it's a lifelong qualification. You don't retake it. However, your Blue Card does need renewing every 5 years (requiring proof of CPD and a renewal test), but the NVQ itself doesn't expire.
If you've been out of the industry or not operating for an extended period, you'll need recent work experience to complete your NVQ. The assessment is based on current competence, not what you could do years ago. Get back to work first, then start your NVQ.
Yes. NVQ Level 2 is a UK-wide qualification. In Scotland it's called SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification), but CPCS recognizes both NVQ and SVQ equally for Blue Card purposes. Same goes for Wales and Northern Ireland.
Your NVQ stays with you, not your employer. If you change jobs mid-NVQ, tell your assessor. They'll arrange to visit your new workplace. As long as you're still operating the same category of machine, you can continue building your portfolio.
Not specifically. But you do need site access to work and gather evidence. Many sites require CSCS or equivalent cards for access. Your CPCS Red Card has a CSCS logo and is accepted on construction sites, so you're covered.
There isn't a pass rate in the traditional sense because it's competence-based, not a one-time exam. If you're working regularly, building your portfolio properly, and working with your assessor, you'll complete it.
Start your NVQ as soon as possible. If you're close to expiry:
Depending on the expiry date, an extension may be possible. Alternatively you may need to resit CPCS technical tests. Once you have your new Red Card, start your NVQ immediately.
As long as an assessor can visit you on site to complete observations then you can still achieve your Award.
No problem. The process is the same. Your clients/contractors may be able to provide witness statements. Make sure you're keeping records of all jobs and taking photos of your work.
We can connect you to NVQ providers, advise on funding options, and help you understand the process