Career paths · 3 min read
Construction jobs in Kenya: NCA accreditation for workers and supervisors
How the National Construction Authority accredits skilled workers and site supervisors, the three routes in, the fees and how long the card lasts.
On a registered building site in Kenya, skilled workers and site supervisors are expected to carry an NCA accreditation card. It is a small cost and it can decide whether you are hired. Here are the three routes the National Construction Authority offers, from full accreditation to apprenticeship.
Why accreditation exists
The NCA Act gives the Authority the duty to accredit and certify skilled construction workers and construction site supervisors (section 5(2)(l)). NCA says accreditation is a main function under regulations 19 and 20 of the NCA Regulations, 2014, which provide that the Authority shall accredit and certify all construction workers and site supervisors.
Route one: full accreditation
- Technical certificates from an accredited training institution.
- A NITA trade test at grade III or above.
- A copy of your national ID and a passport photo.
- Fee: KSh 1,000 for construction workers and KSh 2,000 for site supervisors.
- The card is valid for three years and must then be renewed.
Route two: provisional accreditation
If you have experience but no certificates, NCA's provisional accreditation asks for a recommendation letter from a contractor, quantity surveyor, architect or engineer as evidence of experience, plus your ID and a photo. You apply on NCA's portal under construction workers, accreditation, then provisional accreditation, and pay against the invoice sent to your email.
Route three: apprenticeship
For workers without technical certificates and with less than two years of experience, NCA runs an apprenticeship of at least one year under an accredited site supervisor. The work done is recorded in a logbook issued when you apply. After the apprenticeship, a competency assessment test leads to full accreditation.
To apply, download the form from NCA's website, have the NCA registered contractor on your site sign it, and send it to NCA by email or to an NCA office, with a passport photo and a copy of your ID.
Before you start on a site
- Check that the contractor is registered with NCA. The Act bars anyone from carrying on business as a contractor without registration (section 15).
- Ask about pay, hours and who covers you if you are injured. Every employer must insure its liability for work injuries.
- Wear the protective gear the site provides and report any accident in writing the same day.
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Frequently asked questions
Do construction workers need NCA accreditation in Kenya?
NCA's regulations provide that it shall accredit and certify all construction workers and site supervisors. Registered sites increasingly ask for the card.
How much does NCA accreditation cost?
NCA lists KSh 1,000 for construction workers and KSh 2,000 for site supervisors. The card is valid for three years.
Can I get NCA accreditation without a certificate?
Yes, through provisional accreditation with a recommendation letter as proof of experience, or through NCA's apprenticeship programme.