IHBC accreditation recognised by Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

[edit] Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by Construction Skills Certification Scheme

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised IHBC’s professional accreditation (Full and Associate Members) and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) cards.

Chris Wood, IHBC Education Committee Chair said: ‘We are delighted that the IHBC’s accreditation has achieved this core standard of recognition. This confirms that the IHBC’s own regulatory procedures and advocacy in interdisciplinary conservation practice stand squarely alongside those familiar in more traditional disciplines and practices, from archaeology to architecture and design to planning."

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: "This new recognition applies only to the IHBC’s accredited members: Full members, who are conservation accredited in interdisciplinary conservation practice, and Associates, who are conservation accredited typically in IHBC practice areas related to their primary discipline… now formal acceptance at the highest levels…The regulatory development seen here means that there is now formal acceptance at the highest levels in the construction sector of the kind of interdisciplinary practice that the IHBC promotes and regulates."

[edit] Construction Skills Certification Scheme writes:

CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on-site. By ensuring the workforce is appropriately qualified the card plays its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.

Holding a CSCS card is not a legislative requirement. It is entirely up to the principal contractor or client whether workers are required to hold a card before they are allowed on site. However, most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their sites to hold a valid card….

The PQP card is available to competence-assessed members of CSCS-approved Professional Bodies and is valid for five years. All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.

[edit] Application details

Applicants will need to supply proof that they hold current membership of the professional body at a level accepted by CSCS, by providing one of the following (please note that membership is required to be renewed annually and the below evidence must confirm membership for the current calendar year and the level of membership held):

• A membership certificate (which shows membership for the current calendar year)
• A membership card (both sides, confirming membership for the current calendar year)
• An up-to-date letter or email from the professional body confirming membership for the current calendar year
• A receipt of payment for membership for the current calendar year.

This card cannot currently be renewed and once expired must be applied for as a new card application. The quickest and most convenient way to apply for a CSCS card is via the online application service.

• See: Construction Skills Certification Scheme | Official CSCS Website – HS&E test and exemptions
• See more background on the CSCS
• See more on the PQP card

This article was first posted as 'Good news for #IHBC25: Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) for Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) cards' on the IHBC news blog on May 10,

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

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