What is an ACE Card?
The ACE scheme is an engineering construction industry safety card that ensures the competence of workers in the UK.
ACE stands for ‘Assuring Competence in Engineering’. Cardholders will have received both health and safety training and a qualification in a specific occupational skill that is recognised by the ECITB. Skills are validated against National Occupational Standards (NOS).
The ECITB ACE Card, which is awarded as a combined CCNSG/ACE Card, allows individuals to move between civil and engineering construction sites with a single card that validates their credentials.
It is one of 37 CSCS Alliance card schemes that meet Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recommendations.
To be eligible, you must have an ECITB vocational qualification and hold a valid CCNSG Safety Passport (Please note that no other safety cards will be accepted to achieve an ACE card).
New ACE cards with NFC chip in circulation from July 2026
Older ACE cards will be in circulation until July 2029
New ACE cards
From 20 July all new ACE cards will contain an NFC chip that will make scanning workers’ cards via the CSCS Smart Check App at site entrances significantly quicker and more secure for employers and clients.
The new-look design will be issued for all new and renewal ACE cards from this date. As ACE cards are valid for three years there will be a period (until July 2029) where both the new-design card and the existing ACE cards will be in circulation.
There are five new cards to look out for: Red (registered), Blue (level 2), Gold (level 3), Gold (level 3 – manager), Black (level 4)
The improvement is part of the ECITB’s commitment to reducing card fraud and helping to make engineering construction sites safer.
CCNSG Safety Passport
Read up on the syllabus and course content of the quality assured CCNSG Safety Passport scheme, which is the go-to safety card for the engineering construction industry.
Find out more about the CCNSG cardDisciplines covered by the ECITB ACE Card
- Design & draughting
- Instrument & controls
- Mechanical fitting
- Mechanical maintenance
- Moving loads/rigging
- Pipefitting
- Plating
- Project control
- Steel erecting
Historical VQs covered by the ACE card
- High integrity welding
- Instrument pipe/small bore tubing
- L2 Performing Engineering Operation (EAL)
- L2 Thermal Insulating (TICA)
- Management
- Metal decking
- NDT
- Supporting engineering activities
- Trayfitting
- Welding pipe
- Welding plate
ACE Card FAQs
How are ACE cards issued?
ACE Cards are automatically generated from the ECITB when individuals meet the criteria – there is no application process. Currently the ECITB ACE Card is automatically renewed by when the holder renews their CCNSG Safety Passport.
What do I do if my card has expired?
To renew your ACE Card, you will need a valid CCNSG Safety Passport, please contact a local CCNSG training provider to book a place on a CCNSG course.
Find a CCNSG training provider
I’ve lost my ACE Card. What should I do?
If you have lost your ACE Card, please contact the ECITB at ace@ecitb.org.uk to order a replacement.
What information does the new ACE card hold?
The NFC chip within the new ACE cards does not store any biometric data but carries the identity, qualifications and safety training of the cardholder.
It allows the site manager to verify the card is valid, belongs to the person in front of them and that they are suitably qualified and have the correct level of health and safety for their job.
When a card is read electronically it links with a secure online database to confirm the cardholder’s identity along with the training and qualifications they hold including: Photo, name, registration number, date of issue, date of expiry, health and safety test results, qualifications/occupations, industry endorsements and type of card.
What is the CSCS Alliance?
CSCS Alliance schemes operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations, providing assurance that over two million UK construction workers are trained and qualified for the job they do on site.
ACE allows individuals to move between civil and engineering construction sites with a single card that validates their credentials.
CSCS Smart Check can be used, free of charge, as an app or via the website to validate all CSCS Alliance cards.
It is used within existing site access and induction systems by industry’s largest contractors.
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