CIDB Green Card: Requirements, Training & Renewal Guide
Who needs a Kad Hijau, what the law actually says, the training behind it, and how to apply and renew through CIMS — without the guesswork.
Training · 6 min read
The CIDB Green Card — Kad Hijau — is the registration card that every construction worker in Malaysia must hold to work on site. It is issued by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and it does two jobs at once: it registers you as construction personnel, and it shows you have completed basic safety induction training.
Since 2019 it has been issued as a smart card with upgraded security features, replacing the older printed card. Most people still call it the Green Card.
The legal basis: Section 33, CIDB Act 520
This is not an industry nicety — it is law. Under Section 33 of the Construction Industry Development Board Act 1994 (Act 520), construction personnel must be registered with CIDB before working on a construction site. No registration, no site access. That applies to local and foreign workers alike.
Who needs one?
Essentially everyone whose feet touch a construction site:
- General and unskilled construction workers
- Skilled trades — welders, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters
- Plant and machinery operators, including crane operators
- Site supervisors and foremen
- Technical and management personnel working on site
If you are a contractor, the practical rule is simple: if the person is on your site, they need a valid card.
The training behind the card: SICW
The card is not just paperwork — it certifies training. Applicants must complete the Safety Induction Course for Construction Workers (SICW), delivered by CIDB-accredited training providers. It is a basic health and safety induction covering:
- Common construction site hazards and how they cause injury
- Safe working practices and use of PPE
- Site rules, signage and safety responsibilities
- Emergency and accident procedures
The course usually ends with an assessment. Training is typically conducted in Malay, though some providers offer other languages — worth checking if you employ foreign workers.
How to apply
- Attend the SICW training with a CIDB-accredited provider and complete the assessment.
- Register as construction personnel through CIDB's CIMS (Construction Industry Management System) portal, with your MyKad, passport or IMM13P details.
- Submit documents and pay the registration fee.
- Receive your card. A temporary digital pass or registration certificate is often issued while the physical smart card is processed and delivered.
Validity and renewal — check, don't assume
Here is where a lot of bad information circulates. The Green Card is not valid for life. It carries an expiry date, and renewal is done online through CIMS, where you select a registration duration.
You will see conflicting claims online about whether the card lasts three years or five. In practice the duration depends on what you select and pay for at registration or renewal, and the rules have changed over time. So don't rely on a number from a blog — including this one. Check the expiry date printed on the card itself, or look it up in CIMS using the cardholder's MyKad or passport number. Then renew before it lapses.
Renewal may require a refresher course depending on your situation. Plan ahead: a worker whose card expires is a worker who cannot legally be on your site tomorrow morning.
Why contractors should care
- Site access. Workers without a valid card can be refused entry — that is lost productivity and a delayed programme.
- Enforcement risk. The responsibility sits with the employer or contractor, not just the worker.
- Insurance exposure. If an unregistered worker is injured, insurance and liability can become messy.
- Tender credibility. Clients increasingly audit workforce compliance before awarding work.
How ProSafe helps
ProSafe HSE Consultancy delivers CIDB Green Card training and helps contractors keep their workforce compliant — running induction sessions for your crews, tracking expiry dates before they bite, and making sure your site passes a workforce audit. We also fold this into your broader site safety, because a valid card is the floor, not the ceiling.
CIDB Green Card questions
What is the CIDB Green Card?
The official registration card (Kad Hijau) for construction personnel in Malaysia, issued by CIDB. It shows the holder is registered and has completed basic safety induction training. Issued as a smart card since 2019.
Who needs a CIDB Green Card?
Everyone working on a construction site — local or foreign — including general workers, skilled trades, machine operators, supervisors and technical staff. Section 33 of the CIDB Act 1994 (Act 520) requires registration before working on site.
What training is required?
The Safety Induction Course for Construction Workers (SICW), delivered by CIDB-accredited providers. It covers site hazards, safe work practices, PPE, site rules and emergency procedures, and usually ends with an assessment.
How long is it valid, and how do I renew?
It is not valid for life. Renewal is done online through CIDB's CIMS system, where you select a registration duration. Published validity periods vary and have changed over time — check the expiry date on the card or in CIMS rather than relying on a figure from a blog, and renew before it lapses.
Who is responsible if a worker has no valid card?
The employer or contractor. Workers without a valid card can be refused site entry, the contractor can face enforcement action under the CIDB Act, and there may be insurance complications if an unregistered worker is involved in an accident.
Need Green Card training for your crew?
ProSafe runs CIDB Green Card training and helps contractors keep their whole workforce site-ready and compliant.