Since 1st October 2026, passing a SHEA course no longer gives you a CSCS card. You still need SHEA, but the CSCS card is now a separate application, and it has to match the job you actually do on site. If you work in gas, power, water, telecoms, drainage or waste, here is what that means for you.
What has changed with SHEA and CSCS cards?
Until now, your SHEA registration was printed onto an EUSR CSCS Green Labourer card. One course, one card, and that card got you onto site.
That is no longer the case. New SHEA (2026) registrations print on an EUSR card without the CSCS logo, so on its own it will not get you through the gate. To work on a construction site, you now need two things: a valid SHEA registration and the EUSR CSCS card for your role.
The key dates:
- 3rd August 2026: the new EUSR CSCS Utilities Labourer card launched
- 30th September 2026: the last day SHEA passes came with an automatic CSCS card
- 1st October 2026: SHEA and CSCS cards became fully separate
EUSR is the only body that issues CSCS cards for utilities work, so this applies to anyone carrying out upstream utilities work outside the building.
Why is this happening?
The Building Safety Act 2022, introduced after the Grenfell Tower fire, raised the bar on proving competence on construction sites. Every card now has to show that the holder is qualified for the work they are doing.
The old system had a gap. Because the green labourer card came automatically with SHEA, plenty of skilled workers, trainees and supervisors were going on site holding a labourer card. Separating the two closes that gap. Right card, right job.
Which EUSR CSCS card do I need?
It depends on your role, not on which SHEA course you took.
Labourers
You need the EUSR CSCS Utilities Labourer card plus a valid SHEA. It costs £15 plus VAT. This card is for labouring only and shows you are not on a training pathway, so if you are in a skilled role or working towards a qualification, it is not the right card for you.
Skilled workers
You need the EUSR CSCS card that matches your specific role, such as Cable Jointer, Smart Meter Installer or Drainage Network Operative. To qualify, you need a Level 2 qualification or above (or an equivalent competence requirement set by the Utilities Sector Representative Organisation) plus a valid SHEA. Additional cards cost £20 plus VAT.
Apprentices, trainees and experienced workers
If you are working towards a qualification, or you have experience but are not yet fully qualified, apply for the Apprentice, Trainee or Experienced Worker card that fits your situation. You still need SHEA, with one exception: the Apprentice card also accepts a CITB health and safety test instead.
Working across more than one role
If you work in gas and water, for example, you need a card for each role. Plant operators and grab drivers are not covered by EUSR at all. Those roles sit with other card schemes such as CPCS and NPORS.
Is my current SHEA card still valid?
Yes, if it was issued before 30th September 2026. Cards with the CSCS logo keep it until they expire, and lost cards are replaced in the same format.
The catch is that it is still a labourer card. If you genuinely work as a labourer, you can keep using it until your SHEA is due for renewal, then apply for the Utilities Labourer card alongside it.
If you are not a labourer, you could be turned away now. Sites are checking cards more closely every month, and the CSCS SmartCheck app lets them see exactly what card you hold. If that is you, apply for the right card now rather than waiting for your SHEA to expire.
Is a qualification enough on its own?
No. A qualification, such as an NCO Level 2, does not get you on site by itself. You still need to apply for the EUSR CSCS card for your role, and you still need a valid SHEA.
Employer endorsement is no longer an option either. Industry Accreditation, where your employer could vouch for your experience in place of a qualification, ended in December 2024. If you cannot find an old certificate, EUSR Support can help you work out what evidence you can use.
What should employers do now?
Start with a card check across your team. For each person, compare the card they hold with the work they actually do. Anyone in a skilled role relying on a SHEA green labourer card needs to apply for the right card, and anyone without the qualification behind it needs a plan to get one.
A few things to watch:
- Make sure your team knows SHEA no longer comes with a CSCS card
- Budget for two fees going forward: one for SHEA and one for the CSCS card
- Check that anyone working across more than one role holds a card for each
- Keep an eye on SHEA expiry dates, as that is when labourers need to apply for the new card
How Portland Training can help
Not sure which card or qualification you need? Talk to us. If it is something we do not deliver, such as SHEA or utilities qualifications, we will point you to a provider who does.
If you or your team also work in wider construction, or you are looking to move into a qualified trade, our construction NVQs lead to the right CSCS card for your role.
Get in touch today, we’re here to help with any construction training-related queries.
