Which SKILLcard matches your CSA grade?
Your Engineering Services SKILLcard colour is set by your CSA graded membership. Find your pathway, read down to your grade, and you have the card category to apply for — and your membership certificate in CSA Connect is the evidence SKILLcard asks for.
Find your pathway along the top, then read down to your grade
Each cell shows the CSA grades on that pathway that map to the card category on the left. Where a pathway has no grade at a level, the card does not apply to it.
| Card SKILLcard category | CSA pathway Commissioning Engineer | CSA pathway Water Treatment Engineer | CSA pathway Commissioning Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee Engineering Services Occupations |
|
|
Not on this pathway |
| Skilled Worker Engineering Services Occupations |
|
|
Not on this pathway |
| Advanced Craft / Supervisor* Engineering Services Occupations |
|
|
Not on this pathway |
| Managerial Academic, Professional, Supervisory and Managerial | Not on this pathway | Not on this pathway |
|
Graded membership is your evidence
A valid, in-date CSA graded membership is required. DLC or exam certificates alone are not accepted.
Health & Safety for every card
Every category also needs a valid Health & Safety qualification accepted by SKILLcard.
*Gold cards
Advanced Craft / Supervisor cards are subject to current SKILLcard requirements.
Your SKILLcard application, step by step
The process is the same whichever CSA pathway you are on. The only choices that change are your occupation group, card type and occupation, in steps 3 and 4.
- In-date CSA graded membership
- Valid Health & Safety test pass
- Recent passport-style photo
- Payment card for the card fee
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Step 1: Start your application
Go to the Engineering Services SKILLcard website (skillcard.org.uk), log in or create an account, and begin a new card application.
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Step 2: Enter your applicant details
Complete all personal information requested. Use the same name that appears on your CSA membership so SKILLcard can match your evidence.
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Step 3–4: Choose your route: occupation group, card type and occupation
Follow the lane for your CSA pathway. Pick the card that matches your current grade, then select the occupation that matches your graded membership.
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Commissioning Engineer
- Occupation group — Engineering Services Occupations
- Red Trainee for T–G2
- Blue Skilled Worker for G3–G4
- Gold Advanced Craft / Supervisor* for G5
- Occupation — CSA Commissioning Engineer, or CSA Senior Commissioning Engineer
-
Water Treatment Engineer
- Occupation group — Engineering Services Occupations
- Red Trainee for T–G2
- Blue Skilled Worker for G3–G4
- Gold Advanced Craft / Supervisor* for G5
- Occupation — CSA Water Treatment Engineer, or CSA Senior Water Treatment Engineer
-
Commissioning Manager
- Occupation group — Academic, Professional, Supervisory and Managerial
- Black Managerial for CM1–CM3
- Occupation — CSA Commissioning Manager, CSA Project Commissioning Manager, or CSA Senior Commissioning Manager
- Gold Advanced Craft / Supervisor cards are subject to current SKILLcard requirements.
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Commissioning Engineer
-
Step 5: Provide your Health & Safety evidence
You need a valid Health & Safety qualification accepted by SKILLcard. The test you need depends on the card you are applying for.
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Red and Blue cards, typically one of
- BESA Online Health, Safety and Environment Test
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test
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Gold and Black cards, typically one of
- BESA Online HS&E Test for Managers and Supervisors
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
- Other SKILLcard-approved equivalent qualifications are also accepted. Check skillcard.org.uk before booking a test.
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Red and Blue cards, typically one of
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Step 6: Provide your evidence of competence
Upload proof of your current CSA graded membership. This is the evidence SKILLcard accepts for all three CSA pathways.
- Accepted A valid, in-date CSA graded membership certificate (only available from within CSA Connect) that matches the card you selected
-
Not accepted on their own
- CSA DLC completion certificates
- CSA examination pass certificates
- Training certificates without graded membership
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Step 7: Review and submit
Check every detail, make sure all supporting evidence is uploaded, pay the card fee and submit through the SKILLcard portal.
- SKILLcard reviews your application
- Contacts you if more evidence is needed
- Card issued
Keep your CSA membership in date
When you move up a grade, apply to SKILLcard to upgrade your card to the matching category. Your card is only ever as current as the graded membership behind it — and your membership card is always in CSA Connect.