We have learned that CIfA has been notified that CSCS are making changes to the criteria governing the requirement to hold a valid CSCS card and that the AQP and PQP cards will not be issued to archaeologists in the future. We understand that the change is likely to take effect from 1 May and that cards will be required up to that point. After that archaeologists should not need a CSCS card to access construction sites.

We are working with CIfA to find out:

  •     How BuildUK will ensure that their members have been informed – everyone is expecting some issues;
  •     Cards will be issued between now and 30 April 2024 – so we want to know if archaeologists (or their employers will) be incurring costs for five year certification that will only remain valid for a period of weeks.

Note – we understand this is not negotiable with CSCS, we have been informed of the changes after the decision was made.

The FAME H&S committee met on Friday to discuss. Generally everyone felt the tests have reduced in relevance for archaeologists – the PQP test had recently been rewritten to heavily focus on CDM, which is not relevant to archaeologists. However, the H&S committee is worried about access i.e. the fact that archaeologists don’t need the card might not be communicated too well. Moreover, there is concern how this will work with some passport schemes that require a CSCS card. At the moment we are in a holding pattern as we wait to hear back from CSCS. They want to put out an announcement this week, how likely that is, is unknown, we are still waiting on details. As soon as we know more, we’ll pass it along to you.


Best wishes
Kenneth, CEO of FAME