Plumber Gold Card

The next step up from the blue ‘skilled worker’ card is the plumber gold card. This demonstrates that the holder has a higher level of technical capability, and is able to conduct more complex plumbing works. Therefore, you’ll need to have passed a more advanced standard in order to acquire this card.

Applicants must have:

Completed a Level 3 NVQ or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in plumbing, or gained an equivalent qualification. All accepted courses in relation to this card scheme are as follows:

Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship Standard
BPEC 603/4526/3 Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
EAL 602/4028/9 Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
BPEC NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
EAL NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
FAS National Certificate (Plumber). This is a course facilitated only in the Republic of Ireland.
FETAC Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate- Plumbing
Level 3 6009 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services- Plumbing
Level 3 6019 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services- Plumbing
Level 3 6024 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services- Plumbing (Oil)
Level 3 6089 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services- Plumbing
SCOTVEC modules

City & Guilds specific qualifications

City & Guilds 9189-03 Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
City & Guilds 6189-31 Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
City and Guilds 596-2 Advanced Craft Certificate in Plumbing
City and Guilds 603-2 Advanced Craft Certificate in Plumbing
City and Guilds 617-2 Advanced Craft Certificate in Plumbers’ Work
City and Guilds 617-3 Supplementary Certificate in Sheetwork for Plumbers
City and Guilds 617-4 Supplementary Certificate in Bronze Welding
City and Guilds 617-5 Supplementary Certificate in Welding of Mild Steel
City and Guilds 631 Plumbing Technician’s Certificate Part One

Completed the ‘specialist plumbing’ CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the two years leading up to your card application date. Alternatively, you may have sat one of the qualifying health & safety modules referenced earlier, so long as it is appropriate to an application for an ‘operative’ card.

Important additional points

Please note that any Level 2 NVQ qualifications, or Level 3 vocational-related certificates are not deemed as suitable proof of required credentials.

In alignment with the blue ‘skilled worker’ card, if you’ve gained one of the above certificates but are not readying yourself to move onto an appropriate graded NVQ qualification (or equivalent BPEC/EAL/LCC course), in this case, a Level 3 NVQ Diploma module, then you’ll not be able to possess a card other than the Labourer’s/Plumber’s Mate green card.

The rules associated with NARIC/UK ENIC applicants are exactly the same as those noted in the ‘blue plumber card’ section.

As per any card pitched at fully-qualified workers, this scheme is valid for five years. Membership is renewable at the end of this timeframe.

how to get skilled worker cscs card

Blue CSCS card