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A management qualification, the right safety training and a black card. Here is the full list.
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There is no single licence to be a construction manager, but employers and clients look for a familiar set of qualifications. They show you can manage people, safety and the programme on a live site.
| Qualification | What it shows | Who asks for it |
|---|---|---|
| Level 6 or 7 NVQ, or a construction degree | You can manage construction work | Employers and CSCS |
| SMSTS | You can manage site safety | Most main contractors |
| CITB HS&E test for Managers and Professionals | Up-to-date safety knowledge | CSCS for the black card |
| Black CSCS Manager card | You are carded for site access | Principal contractors |
| First aid and fire warden (optional) | Extra site responsibilities | Some sites |
A construction management degree with relevant experience can support a card application, but many managers qualify through the Level 6 NVQ instead, using evidence from their current job. Professional bodies such as CIOB also offer membership routes for experienced managers.
Read which NVQ you need and how to get a black card.
Keep it current SMSTS lasts five years and your HS&E pass must be recent when you renew your card. Put both dates in your calendar.
Construction managers are judged on safety, programme, cost and people. Gaps in any one can hold you back.
A site manager with ten years’ experience but no formal qualification might complete SMSTS, then a Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management using current projects as evidence. That leads to a Black CSCS card and supports applications for senior roles.
Tell us where you are now and where you want to get to. We will match you to the right course, test and card.
See construction coursesCall 0208 099 4324No. Many qualify through the Level 6 or 7 NVQ.
The black CSCS Manager card.
Not by law, but most contractors ask for it.
The Managers and Professionals test, with a pass mark of 46 out of 50.
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