CSCS is making an enhancement to the Smart Check service to help industry verify workers’ cards more easily, particularly when a card or registration number is not to hand.
Today, the CITB online card checker allows lookups using surname and National Insurance (NI) number, which many employers rely on.
As CSCS seeks to focus employer verification through CSCS Smart Check, in line with Construction Leadership Council guidelines, Smart Check will soon support manual reads using surname and NI number for schemes that collect this information and choose to enable the functionality.
To support this, CSCS are asking CSCS Alliance schemes to take the following steps:
- Update your Smart Check API endpoint to accept and process surname + NI number for manual reads, alongside the existing surname + registration number route.
- Ensure that NI numbers are validated and matched correctly within your system, with appropriate error handling for unmatched or invalid details.
- Confirm via email to communications@cscs.co.uk by Friday, December 19th whether you wish to opt in to NI-based lookups so CSCS can enable the option for your scheme within Smart Check.
CSCS via StableLogic will:
- Configure Smart Check so that the NI search option only appears for schemes that support it.
- Coordinate timelines and provide updated technical specifications, test cases and support.
Please confirm to CSCS:
- Whether you plan to support NI-based manual reads, and
- Your indicative timescales for making the necessary API changes and testing.
Originally published Dec 11, 2025 12:23:29 PM, updated December 11 2025.
