LISS/CSCS FAQ

NB ALL LISS/CSCS APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO BALI.

LISS/CSCS SMARTCARD SCHEME

What is a LISS/CSCS card?

The LISS/CSCS Card shows that the holder is considered to be competent at his or her job, lists any relevant qualifications and also shows that the holder has passed the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test.

NB The App on the Smartcard may need to be read to establish all qualifications held by the cardholder.

Why do I need a LISS/CSCS card?

Contractors and clients insist that all workers on site hold a LISS/CSCS card to prove competence in their stated occupation and show that they have relevant health and safety awareness.

The LISS/CSCS card is a mandatory requirement for employees of all companies who are quality assured to National Highways Sector Scheme 18.

How do I get a LISS/CSCS Card with Grandfather Rights?

Grandfather Rights are available until 31st October 2013. For some types of LISS/CSCS cards applicants are able to use their workplace experience as evidence of their competence.  This is known as Industry Accreditation or Grandfather Rights. 

You will also need to pass the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test.  Both certificates should be no more than two years old at the time of your application. 

What if I am new into the Landbased Industry?

You will need to do a formal qualification Diploma level 2 or above to obtain your LISS/CSCS skills card.

What if my Occupation requires Certificates of Competence (COC) or BASIS Registration because of HSE Regulations?

There is no Grandfather Rights/Industry Accreditation route for Arboriculture or Pesticides Occupations and you will need Certificates of Competence or BASIS Registration to apply for a LISS/CSCS card.

Click here for more information on Occupations Available.

You will also need to pass the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test.

What is ROLO?

The Register of Landbased Operatives (ROLO) Health and Safety Awareness Training Course is specific to the landbased industry and is required by anyone applying for a LISS/CSCS card.

How do I take my ROLO Course?

Please contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, for a list of training providers or click here.

How do I take my CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test?

Call the information and booking line on 0344 994 4488. The cost of the test is £17.50.

If you need additional support e.g. accessibility or literacy, please discuss your requirements with the booking line.

How old should my Health and Safety Certificates be?

Both certificates should be no more than two years old at the time of your application. Where certificates are more than two years old you will be required to attend and pass the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test.

What type of LISS/CSCS card should I apply for?

Red = Trainee (working towards a qualification)
Green = Operative (a non skilled worker who is part of the workforce)
Blue = Skilled Worker (either through Grandfather Rights or formal qualification level 2 minimum)
Gold = Supervisor (either through Grandfather Rights or formal qualification level 3 minimum)
Black = Manager (either through Grandfather Rights or formal qualification level 4 minimum)
White/Yellow = Consultants (Professional membership by qualification of scheme approved bodies such as*)
Yellow = Visitors (you are only required to complete the ‘touch screen’ test prior to application)

*Currently LISS/CSCS recognise the following professional bodies:

IEMA – Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
ICF – Institute of Chartered Foresters
IEEM – Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
IOH – Institute of Horticulture
LI – Landscape Institute

If you are a Supervisor or a Manager applying for a Gold or Black card and may need to use your relevant occupational skills on site, these must be noted on the reverse of either card. A Blue ‘skilled worker’ card will not then be required.

For advice contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

Does LISS/CSCS apply across the UK?

YES

I've lost my LISS/CSCS card. How do I get a replacement?

Download and complete the application form here (denoting replacement) The cost of a replacement card is £38.00.

Or contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Payment can be made in advance using a credit or debit card by calling the helpdesk number above.

Who checks that people hold relevant cards?

It is usually the main contractor or site manager, but can vary depending on the requirements of the client.

What should I do if I suspect someone is using a fraudulent LISS/CSCS card?

1. Retain the card if possible

2. Make photocopies of front and back

3. Record cardholder’s name and address

4. Ask cardholder where the card was obtained from

5. Call the local police and report the matter

6. Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)

7. Forward copies of all evidence to Gordon Jenkins; CSCS Ltd, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9QP marked “SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD” with details of the crime number given by local police.

What are LISS/CSCS Certificates of Commitment?

The LISS/CSCS Certificates of Commitment are awarded to companies that have shown a level of commitment to LISS/CSCS. This commitment is determined by the proportion of the company’s onsite workers who hold full LISS/CSCS or other CSCS cards that are valid and current. There are two types of certificate, which reflect the level of commitment:

Gold 75-89% of onsite workers carded
Black 90%+ of onsite workers carded

The certificates cost £50.00 each and are valid for three years, renewable upon re-audit.

Please contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

Applying for a LISS/CSCS SMARTCARD

How do I apply for a card?

You can download an application form here

How do I renew my LISS/CSCS card?

Download and complete the application form here (indicating renewal) or contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

You will be required to have refreshed your ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test. Both your certificates shall be no more than two years old otherwise your application will be rejected.

The cost is £38.00 per card.

Payment can be made in advance using a credit or debit card by calling the helpdesk number above.

What if my application form is incorrect?

Any incorrect paperwork will be returned to you for completion and, if applicable, the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test will have to be retaken if the certificates are out of date.

You will have 90 days to return the paperwork. Applicants will be subject to another payment of £38.00 to continue with processing paperwork after the 90 days has expired.

NB All payments are non refundable.

How long does it take to process paperwork?

We have a 28 day turnaround time subject to your application form being correct. Your card may take longer if it is incorrect and returned to you.

How much does a LISS/CSCS card cost?

£38 including VAT at the prevailing rate, per card applied for. All LISS/CSCS cards are smartcards with an ‘App’. This enhanced facility enables cardholders to have their personal and training/qualification details updated throughout the 5 year life of each card at no extra cost, PROVIDED THE DETAILS SHOWN ON THE ACTUAL CARD REMAIN CURRENT AND DO NOT REQUIRE UPDATING.

I am unemployed. Is there any funding from LISS/CSCS available to help with costs for the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test or card fees?

Not directly from LISS/CSCS and the fees are the same whether you are employed, self-employed or unemployed. However your local JobCentre Plus office should be able to provide advice about financial help that may be available to you.

What do I need to get a card?

It depends on the job you do, but most of the cards require you to pass a relevant Diploma S/NVQ or Certificates of Competence.

• Click here for more information on the types of LISS/CSCS cards available
• Click here for more information on the sample of cards available
• Click here to go to the occupations database to find out if your occupation is covered by the scheme

You will also have to pass the ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test.

Who can sign the LISS/CSCS application form if the applicant is self-employed?

When an individual is self employed their form should be signed by their main client or contractor. For people who own their own company, their form will need to be signed by their business partner or main client or contractor.

They are signing to validate you have worked competently in the occupation on site and they are also verifying the individual is who they say they are and the photograph is a true likeness.

Will I be able to obtain a refund if I decide against getting a card?

NO

Competence and Qualifications

How do I upgrade my card with additional qualifications?

1) All LISS/CSCS cards are smartcards with an ‘App’. This enhanced facility enables cardholders to have their personal and training/qualification details updated throughout the 5 year life of each card at no extra cost, PROVIDED THE DETAILS SHOWN ON THE ACTUAL CARD REMAIN CURRENT AND DO NOT REQUIRE UPDATING.

2) Where you are renewing or replacing a card or adding information onto the actual card the cost is £38.00.

3) Where you upgrade your card to another level i.e. Blue to Gold or Gold to Black the cost is £38.00

This can be done by completing an application form and payment of £38.00 if applicable (2 and 3 above), attaching copies of the relevant certificates. The ROLO Health and Safety Awareness Course and the CSkills Health and Safety ‘Touch Screen’ Test would not need to be re-taken unless the card is due for renewal.

Contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for more information.

Payment can be made in advance using a credit or debit card by calling the helpdesk number above.

I've lost my certificate what do I do?

You will need to contact the Awarding Body/Issuing Authority who issued your certificate to get a replacement

What do I do if I gained my qualifications outside the UK?

Contact UK NaRIC at: UK NaRIC Oriel House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1XP Tel: 0871 330 7033, Fax: 0871 330 7005 Email: info@naric.org.uk Website: http://www.naric.org.uk/

UK NaRIC is the National Recognition Information Centre for the UK, and is the national agency responsible for information provision on international education and qualifications. UK NaRIC provides recognition service and comparability information of international qualifications from 183 countries worldwide with those in the UK.

Why are ONC/OND/HNC/HND and Degrees not acceptable to prove competence when applying for a LISS/CSCS card?

Because the LISS/CSCS cards are intended to prove competence to work on-site and these qualifications do not usually include site-based assessment.

This is why the scheme is mapped to Diploma SVQ/NVQ COCs, awarded for competent performance in work-based activities. Competence is proved by completing a range of practical tasks and skills and displaying the appropriate technical knowledge.

Affiliated and Other Card Schemes

Which card schemes are affiliated to LISS/CSCS?

There are currently no other schemes affiliated to LISS/CSCS

Other information

Can I use the LISS/CSCS logo on my letterhead, brochures, website etc?

NO

How do I get literature about LISS/CSCS?

Please contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

How do I register a complaint if I am dissatisfied with the service?

In the first instance contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

Who administers the LISS/CSCS scheme?

BALI and CSkills.

For more information contact the LISS/CSCS helpdesk on 02476 690333 which is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

More Information?

If you require more information on any of our services please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

Landscape House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. CV8 2LG

© The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)