CSCS Card Quality up, accidents down and cowboy builders out were the main objectives for the formation of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) which was launched ten years ago. Today its main purpose it still to help workers prove that they are competent to do their job. It also shows that they have health and safety awareness as all cardholders have to pass the appropriate health and safety test. CSCS cards list the holder's qualifications and are valid for either three or five years. There are more than 700,000 CSCS or affiliated cardholders. The scheme covers over 220 occupations and is fast becoming the industry standard. It is supported by industry organisations such as Major Contractors Group (MCG) and National Construction Federation (NCF). Major clients like BAA, the NHS and many local councils and housing associations are all now demanding proof of competence before allowing workers onto their sites. CSCS is owned and managed by CSCS Limited. CSCS Limited is controlled by a management board whose members are from the Construction Confederation, Federation of Master Builders, GMB Union, National Specialist Contractors Council, Transport & General Workers Union (Building Crafts Section), Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, CITB-Construction Skills, Construction Industry Council, Construction Clients Group. Observer members include the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health and Safety Executive. CITB-Construction Skills administers the Scheme under contract. The CITB-Construction Skills Health and Safety Test is the industry standard, taken by over 300,000 people every year. It is designed to ensure everyone working in construction has a minimum level of health and safety awareness. Passing the test is an essential part of qualifying for the following major card schemes: CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme); CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) - previously the CTA scheme; Without the test you won't get your card, and increasingly without that, you won't get on site. The tests are delivered by Thomson Prometric.