Skill Card FAQs

The ACAD Skill Card provides recognised evidence of your training, qualifications and competence for your role within the asbestos industry. 

Different cards are available depending on the type of asbestos work you undertake, your role and your level of competence. 

Being able to demonstrate competence is increasingly important across the construction and asbestos industries. 

An ACAD Skill Card provides employers, contractors and site managers with a clear way of checking that an individual holds the appropriate training and qualifications for their role. 

For Operatives, Supervisors and Managers, ACAD also requires the relevant asbestos training to have been completed through a CITB Training Provider Network member. This provides additional assurance that the training supporting the card has been delivered to the required quality standard.

ACAD offers Skill Card routes covering: 

• Licensed asbestos work 
• Non-licensed asbestos work
• Asbestos surveyors and analysts 

Within these routes, different cards are available depending on your occupation, experience and qualifications. 

Always check the requirements for the specific card you are applying for before submitting your application. 

Applications for ACAD Skill Cards are completed online. 

You will need to select the appropriate card and provide the required evidence, such as training certificates, qualifications and health and safety requirements. 

If you are applying for an Operative, Supervisor or Manager card, you must make sure your relevant asbestos training has been completed with a training provider that is part of the CITB Training Provider Network. 

Postal applications are no longer accepted.

The exact requirements depend on the card you are applying for. 

These may include: 

• Relevant asbestos training certificates 
• Occupational qualifications or NVQs 
• CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test
• CCNSG Safety Passport 
• Evidence that you are registered for an appropriate qualification 

For Operative, Supervisor and Manager cards, the relevant asbestos training certificate must be from a CITB Training Provider Network member. 

Check the requirements for your chosen card before applying. 

Yes, for Operative, Supervisor and Manager Skill Cards. 

The relevant asbestos training used to support your application must have been completed with a training provider that is part of the CITB Training Provider Network. 

This requirement is in place to help ensure that training is delivered to a consistent and recognised standard and that ACAD Skill Cards continue to provide trusted evidence of competence within the industry. 

Before booking your training, you should check that the provider is part of the CITB Training Provider Network.

The requirement helps ACAD maintain confidence in the quality of training being used to support Skill Card applications. 

Requiring Operatives, Supervisors and Managers to undertake their relevant training with a CITB Training Provider Network member provides assurance that the training provider meets recognised quality requirements. 

This helps protect standards across the asbestos industry and gives employers and contractors greater confidence in the competence represented by the ACAD Skill Card.

Applications are normally processed within 10 working days of receipt, provided all of the required information has been supplied. 

If your application is incomplete or the required evidence has not been provided, the Skill Card Team will contact you for further information. 

The correct card depends on: 

• Whether you work with licensed or non-licensed asbestos 
• Your job role 
• Your level of experience
• The qualifications you currently hold
• Whether you are still working towards a qualification 

The ACAD website provides the requirements for each available card. 

If you are unsure which route applies to you, contact the Skill Card Team before applying. 

You must hold the relevant training required for the Operative card you are applying for. 

This training must have been completed with a provider that is part of the CITB Training Provider Network. 

You will also need to meet the other qualification and health and safety requirements for your chosen card. 

Yes. 

The relevant Supervisor training used to support your ACAD Skill Card application must have been completed with a CITB Training Provider Network member. 

You must also provide any other qualifications or evidence required for the Supervisor card you are applying for.

Yes. 

The relevant Supervisor training used to support your ACAD Skill Card application must have been completed with a CITB Training Provider Network member. 

You must also provide any other qualifications or evidence required for the Supervisor card you are applying for.

There are card routes designed for individuals who are working towards the appropriate occupational qualification. 

However, these cards are generally time limited and cannot simply be renewed indefinitely. 

You will need to achieve the relevant qualification before progressing to the appropriate qualified Skill Card. 

Any relevant Operative, Supervisor or Manager asbestos training used as part of the application must still meet the CITB Training Provider Network requirement. 

Once you have achieved the appropriate qualification, you may be eligible to progress to a Skilled Worker, Supervisor or other qualified card depending on your occupation. 

The qualification and training required will depend on the card and asbestos discipline you are applying for. 

Yes. Holding an occupational qualification does not necessarily replace the requirement for current asbestos training. 

Operatives, Supervisors and Managers may need to provide evidence of relevant asbestos training alongside their occupational qualification. 

Where this training is required for the ACAD Skill Card, it must have been completed with a CITB Training Provider Network member.

Depending on your card and role, you may need to provide evidence of current refresher training when applying or renewing. 

Where relevant Operative, Supervisor or Manager training is required, it must meet ACAD’s CITB Training Provider Network requirements. 

You should check the requirements for your particular card before booking training or submitting your application.

If you are applying for an Operative, Supervisor or Manager ACAD Skill Card and your relevant asbestos training does not meet the required training provider criteria, it may not be accepted as evidence for your application. 

For this reason, applicants should check the status of their chosen training provider before booking or completing their training. 

If you are unsure whether your training will be accepted, contact the ACAD Skill Card Team before applying. 

Many ACAD Skill Card routes require either a valid CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test or an accepted alternative such as the CCNSG Safety Passport. 

Requirements vary between card types, so always check the criteria for the card you are applying for. 

This depends on the type of card you hold. 

Some qualified cards can be renewed, while temporary, trainee, experienced worker or transitional cards may have a limited validity period with no renewal available. 

Where training is required as part of the renewal process for an Operative, Supervisor or Manager card, the relevant training must meet the current ACAD requirements. 

If your card expires, it may no longer provide valid evidence of your competence for site access. 

You should check your expiry date and begin the appropriate renewal or progression process before your card expires.

Yes. Replacement ACAD Skill Cards are available for cards that have been lost or damaged. 

If your card has expired, you will normally need to make a new application rather than request a replacement. 

Yes. ACAD provides a Smartphone Skill Card option, allowing card information to be accessed digitally. 

Further information about Smartphone Skill Cards is available through the ACAD website.