Red (TSM) CSCS Card

What is the Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) Card?

The Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) CSCS card is issued on a temporary basis, while a Construction related NVQ is being achieved.

This card is available to Supervisors and Managers with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three). On completion of an NVQ it will be replaced by a Gold or Black CSCS card.

The Red (TSM) card is only valid for a maximum of three years with no possibility of renewing it after this time.

The 'Catch 22' situation

Experienced Supervisors and Managers in Construction often find that their employment opportunities are extremely limited if they don’t hold an appropriate CSCS card.  In order to access a Gold or Black CSCS card, they must now achieve an appropriate level NVQ.

An NVQ is a competence based assessment qualification that involves the identification, collation and assessment of workplace evidence. Achievement of an NVQ when you are in work is relativity straight forward because the workplace evidence is all around you.

The ‘Catch22’ situation occurs when Supervisors and Managers find themselves out of work and no longer have access to this workplace evidence:

They can’t access the work without the CSCS card, they can’t access the CSCS card without the NVQ, they can’t complete the NVQ without the evidence, and they can’t access the evidence without the work! 

The solution to this dilemma is to apply for the Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) CSCS card. The TSM card proves to employers that:

  1. You have been ‘profiled’ by an NVQ centre and deemed capable of achieving a specific NVQ.
  2. That you’re registered onto the NVQ and ‘working towards’ achieving it, with a view to upgrading to a Gold or Black CSCS card soon.
  3. That you have passed the appropriate level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test

The idea is that the Red TSM card enables you to get back into the workplace where you will have access to the evidence needed for the NVQ. On completion of the NVQ you will be able to upgrade the Red TSM card to the Gold/Black/etc CSCS card.

Will I need to take the CITB HSE test ?

Yes, in order to access tthe Red TSM CSCS card, all applicants must be registered for a relevant-level Construction related NVQ and have passed the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test within the past two years.

Supervisors will have to take the Supervisor HSE test and Managers must take the Managers and Professionals (MAP) HSE test.

You can book your test online by clicking here.

How can I apply for this card?

The first step is to get yourself registered onto an NVQ. If you’re unsure which qualification would be best for you, just give us a a call on 01952 287 366 and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Alternatively you can click the links below to browse our NVQs:

Supervisor NVQs (Levels 3-4)

Manager NVQs (Levels 5-7)

Once you’re registered onto one of our NVQs we’ll send you:

  1. A scanned letter (by email) confirming that you have completed a profiling session with one of our assessors and that you have been deemed capable of achieving it. working towards an NVQ.
  2. An official copy of your Awarding Body registration number confirming the NVQ that you have been registered onto.

You then will need to sit the appropriate level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test (if you have not already done so in the last two years)

Once you have the confirmation that you have passed the CITB HSE test, you can apply for your Red TSM Card two ways:

  1. Online – By clicking HERE
  2. By phone – 0344 99 44 777 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)

we recommend that you use the online service. Applying online will be considerably quicker than applying over the telephone.

All CSCS cards cost £36.00 (as of May 2022).

How quickly can I register on an NVQ?

Here at CADUK we can have you profiled, registered onto an NVQ, and sent over the confirmation documents that you need in a single day. 

Provided you have already passed the CITB HSE test, you can effectively send your Red TSM card application to CSCS the same day.

Once your application has been approved your CSCS card will be posted out to you the next working day. Most cards arrive at their requested destination within 3-5 days of application approval.

Check out our latest articles

and Google reviews

The following articles are related to the CSCS card system. Continue further down the page to view some of our Google reviews left by previous learners on our NVQs.
David Andrews MCIOB
David Andrews MCIOB
Doha Metro (Qatar)
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I have completed my NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management and I cannot speak highly enough of all members of their team. They provided me with an excellent service throughout and it was money well spent. I gained a vast amount of knowledge from each completed unit and it has already shown its benefits with instant career progression. Thank you to you all at CADUK.
Neil James MCIOB
Neil James MCIOB
West Midlands Safari Park
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Great service, support and tutorship throughout. I have developed more than I ever expected going through my Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management. I would highly recommend CADUK to anyone wishing to develop themselves and gain a recognised construction based NVQ qualification.
Michael O'Byrne MCIOB
Michael O'Byrne MCIOB
Colmore Tang Construction Ltd
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I recently completed the NVQ Level 7 in Senior Construction Management and immediately went on to get my CSCS Black Management Card. I then successfully applied for MCIOB, Chartered Construction Manager. The support and encouragement I got from the team was fantastic. This has opened up a lot of doors for me and I highly recommend using CADUK.
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Ewan Davies-Smith MCIOB
Ewan Davies-Smith MCIOB
Babcock International Group
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I have completed my NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management and I cannot speak highly enough of all members of their team. They provided me with an excellent service throughout and it was money well spent. I gained a vast amount of knowledge from each completed unit and it has already shown its benefits with instant career progression. Thank you to you all at CADUK.
Colin Christian MCIOB
Colin Christian MCIOB
Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Ltd
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Just completed an NVQ7 with CADUK and found the whole process well managed and straightforward. Easy to apply, and the portfolio system allows you to work seamlessly across a number of platforms. Good support and communications throughout from the team at CADUK and the assigned tutor for your course. A great experience and highly recommended for anyone trying to balance study with a full time role.
Darren Allen MCIOB
Darren Allen MCIOB
Bluu Qatar
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The opportunity to study with CADUK provides a platform for the future in the Middle East. It's the most direct route into the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) that is recognised worldwide. For me personally obtaining the Level 7 was money well spent. I achieved a qualification that suited my lifestyle and allowed me to obtain corporate identity within an established institute. Keep up the good work CADUK, you make a difference in people's lives!
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