What is an ACE Card?
The ACE (Assuring Competence in Engineering) scheme is an engineering construction industry safety card that ensures the competence of workers in the UK.
Cardholders must have completed 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 allows individuals to move between civil and engineering construction sites with a single card that validates their credentials.
ACE cards are issued free of charge and cardholders also have access to a digital card.
It is one of 37 CSCS Alliance card schemes that meet Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recommendations.
To be eligible, you must hold an eligible vocational qualification (see full list below) and a valid CCNSG Safety Passport (Please note that no other safety cards will be accepted to achieve an ACE card).
Renewing or applying for an ACE card
ACE card renewals
From 5 October existing ACE cardholders will now need to use the My CSCS app to renew (when they update their CCNSG Safety Passport).
A digital account has been created for you.
Simply log in with the same email address you have registered with the ECITB, then follow the in-app instructions to access your account.
New ACE card applications
Those applying for their first ever ACE card must apply via the form (link below).
Once approved, your card will be managed within the My CSCS app where you will gain access to the digital version of your ACE card.
Like the physical card, you can use your digital card as verification at site.
New-look ACE card
From July 2026 all new ACE cards issued have an NFC chip embedded. This is designed to make scanning workers’ cards via the CSCS Smart Check App at site entrances 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.
Older ACE cards will be in circulation until July 2029
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 cardEligible vocational qualifications
In October 2026 the ECITB extended the vocational qualifications (VQs) eligible under the scheme.
As well as ECITB VQs, workers who hold a Skills England Apprenticeship Standard relevant to ACE together with a current CCNSG safety passport can also apply for an ACE card.
ECITB disciplines covered by the ACE Card
- Design & draughting
- Instrument & controls
- Mechanical fitting
- Mechanical maintenance
- Moving loads/rigging
- Pipefitting
- Plating
- Project control
- Steel erecting
Historical ECITB VQs that are valid
- 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
Eligible Skills England Apprenticeship Standards
- Engineering Construction Erector Rigger – ST0433
- Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician – ST0154
- Engineering Fitter – ST0432
- Engineering Construction Pipefitter – ST0162
- Plate Welder – ST0852
- Pipe Welder – ST0851
ACE Card FAQs
What is new?
From 5 October 2026, all ACE card holders have access to a digital card and ACE Cards are issued differently.
All new cards and renewals need to be applied for.
If you already hold an ACE Card, you do not need to do anything until your card expires.
We now also accept relevant Skills England apprenticeship standards (see Which qualifications are accepted? below).
Since July 2026, ACE Cards have a new design and include an NFC chip, allowing site managers and employers to scan and verify cards electronically.
Is my current ACE Card still valid?
Existing ACE Cards remain valid until the expiry date printed on the card.
When do I need to apply for a new ACE Card?
You need to apply when your current ACE Card expires, or if you do not hold an ACE Card and have a qualification that entitles you to one.
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
How do I renew my ACE Card?
If you already hold an ACE Card and a valid CCNSG Safety Passport, please renew through the My CSCS app.
Log in with the same email address you have registered with the ECITB, then follow the in-app instructions to access your account.
How do I apply for an ACE card for the first time?
If you hold an ECITB qualification relevant to the disciplines outlined above or an eligible apprenticeship standard listed below together with a valid CCNSG Safety Passport, please apply using the ACE Card application form.
Once approved, your card will be managed within the My CSCS app.
Which qualifications are accepted?
To apply for an ACE Card, you will need a valid CCNSG Safety Passport and one of the following:
- An ECITB qualification relevant to the disciplines outlined above – or
- An accepted apprenticeship standard (see full list in Eligible vocational qualifications section above).
How do I get a digital ACE card?
All ACE card holders have access to a digital card. To access this, download the My CSCS app and log in. Your ACE Card will be available in the app.
Is there a charge for an ACE Card?
No. ACE Cards are free of charge.
I’ve lost my ACE Card. What should I do?
You can order a replacement through the My CSCS app. Please note your current card will be cancelled and a new card issued. The same applies if your card has been stolen or damaged.
What information does the 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.
How can employers check an ACE Card?
Anyone who wishes to verify an ACE Card can check using CSCS Smart Check, which is available free of charge as an app or via the website.
Cards can be checked by scanning the NFC chip embedded in physical ACE cards; by entering the Registration Number associated with the card; or by scanning the QR code associated with the digital card within the My CSCS app.
I do not own a smartphone and cannot access the My CSCS app
Please contact the ECITB at ace@ecitb.org.uk and we will arrange for a card to be processed.
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.
For questions about your application or your ACE Card, please contact the ECITB:
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