CPCS Competence Interview
What is the CPCS Competence Interview?
For candidates who gained their blue card on the old "Grandfather Rights" system and didn't complete an NVQ, you will need to complete the CPCS Competence Interview before renewing your blue card.
In the competence interview you will use your knowledge, skills and experience to answer questions that cover the following areas:
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Effective Communication: Oral, written, listening, body language, presentation.
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Team Work: work effectively with others with limited supervision.
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Independent Working: Take responsibility of your own work.
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Logical Thinking: use clean and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake work instructions.
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Work Effectively: Undertake the work in a reliable and productive manor.
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Time Management: use own time effectively to complete the work instructions to schedule.
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Adaptability: be able to adjust to changes to the work instructions.
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Assertiveness and confidence: able to resist pressures to work following unsafe practices.
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Respect: apply equality, diversity and inclusion in dealing with others.
You won't need to write anything, you will verbally answer the questions and it will be recorded on a voice recorder.
If you take the competence interview with us, we will apply for your blue card at no extra cost.
Why do I need to take the CPCS Competence Interview?
The CPCS is phasing out Blue Competent Operator cards gained on Industry Accreditation (Grand Father Rights).
In the past, Industry Accreditation allowed workers to get CPCS blue cards based on industry knowledge and employer recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.
This route was closed to new card applicants in 2003 when a Level 2 (VQ) relevant to the categories held was required, but those already holding a blue card were still able to renew under the old rules.
From 1 January 2020 all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024 and the CPCS will stop issuing these cards from 16 December 2024.
The CPCS introduced the CPCS Competence Interview for candidates who gained cards on Industry Accreditation so they wouldn't need to complete an NVQ or SVQ.
How will I know if I need to take the CPCS Competence Interview?
If you have tried to renew your card after 1 January 2020 and it was issued with an expiry date of 31 December 2024, it is likely you will need to complete the competence interview.
The CLC (Construction Leadership Council) have recently released other qualifications that the CPCS will accept to issue cards. The CPCS have checked many cards that were issued as temporary and they have topped up those cards with the original five year expiry date.
You can check you card on the NOCN CPCS Card Checker here.
If you are still unsure of what you need to do, you can email CPCS at cpcs@jobcards.org or call 0300 999 1177 (option 1, option 1) and they will be able point you in the right direction.
Alternatively, get in touch with us and we will try to help.
I'm sure I completed an NVQ, do I still need to take the Competence Interview?
If you think you have completed an NVQ or SVQ in the past, the CPCS may have a record of it on your CPCS file.
You can email CPCS@jobcards.org or call them on 0300 999 1177 (option 1, option 1).
If you have found an NVQ or SVQ, you can send of copy of the certificate to CPCS and they will top up your card.
Email cpcs@jobcards.org with your name, CPCS card number, date of birth, address and email and you can pay £10 to top up your card.
Do I need to do anything else other than the Competence Interview?
To renew your Blue Card you will need to:
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Have passed a Health and Safety Touch Screen test (within the last 2 years)
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Complete the online CPCS Renewal CPD e-Learning Course.
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Complete the CPCS Competence Interview.
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You will need to record 300 hours for each category of plant in your CPCS log book.
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Complete the Application to Renew a Competent Operator Card - this can be found on the NOCN website here
The earliest you can apply to renew your card is up to months before the expiry date of the card.
What does the CPCS Renewal CPD course involve?
Many operatives put off renewing their CPCS blue card because they are unsure of what they must do, when in theory it is much easier than you might think.
The CPCS Renewal CPD course includes five modules which cover all the categories of plant. For each module on the course, you will watch a series of videos and answer multiple choice questions on various topics. If you get a question wrong you will be shown the correct answer before moving on to the next section.
You can take the course online using a smartphone, laptop or PC.
Each module should take 40 minutes to complete. You can pause the course at anytime and it will save your progress for you to come back to at a later date.
Once you have completed the course it will be valid for two years. The earliest you can apply to renew your card is up to months before the expiry date of the card.
Is there a test?
No, as of 22nd August 2024 there is no test to renew a blue card. Although there are multiple choice questions, you will not fail if you get a question wrong.
You will however need to pass the touch screen Health, Safety & Environment test.
How do I book the Renewal course?
You can book online through the NOCN Hub.
To find out which modules you will need to sit please enter the categories you wish to renew into the renewal test tool. You will have the option to click through to book the renewal CPD course through the NOCN Hub. You will need to sign in to the NOCN Hub or create an account.
Alternatively you can call the CPCS Helpline on 0300 999 1177.
The test costs £28 when booked through NOCN. Third party companies will charge more.
Alternatively, we can book the renewal course for you for a small fee.
If you have any questions on what to do next, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help.