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SMSTS and SSSTS: how long they last and how the refresher rules work

A practical reference for planning and record keeping. Confirm current scheme and employer requirements before booking training or authorising work.

Both last five years. CITB's Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) and Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) certificates are valid for five years. Passing the matching refresher course renews the certificate for another five. The catch is that the refresher has to be finished before the expiry date. There's no grace period. If the certificate lapses, it's the full course again.

The courses at a glance

Course	Typical audience	Length	Valid for	Refresher
SMSTS	Site and project managers	5 days (at least 37.5 hours)	5 years	SMSTS-R: 2 days (at least 15 hours)
SSSTS	Site supervisors	2 days (15 hours)	5 years	SSSTS-R: 1 day (at least 7.5 hours)

All four courses can be done in a classroom or remotely. CITB's "remote" means a live course over video, with each delegate at their own computer with a webcam. A single course can't mix classroom and remote delegates.

The rule that catches people out

CITB's scheme rules are strict on this:

You can only attend the refresher if your certificate is still in date.
The refresher must be completed before the expiry date on the certificate.
Keeping the certificate in date is the delegate's responsibility.
Anyone without an in-date certificate has to take the full course again, and that decision can't be appealed.

For a site manager, missing the date by a week means five days off site instead of two, and a bigger course fee.

When to book the refresher

Book three to four months before expiry. That's our suggestion rather than a CITB rule. Courses fill up, and a cancelled course, a week off sick or a project crisis can easily push you past the date.

CITB doesn't publish a rule on how early you can take the refresher, or on whether the new five years run from the course date or from your old expiry date. Check with your training provider before booking very early.

How to check someone's SMSTS or SSSTS

CITB's online card checker shows a delegate's certificate and its expiry date. Use it when someone joins, and record the expiry date in your training matrix.

SMSTS and SSSTS aren't CSCS cards, so check them on CITB's card checker rather than relying on CSCS Smart Check. Supervisors and managers can add them to the My Skills section of their My CSCS app, though.

Do SMSTS or SSSTS get you a CSCS card?

No. CSCS doesn't accept either course for a CSCS card.

The gold Supervisory card needs a supervisory or technical NVQ/SVQ at Level 3 or 4, plus the CITB Specialist Supervisory HS&E test.
The black Manager card needs a construction management or technical NVQ/SVQ at Level 4 to 7, plus the Managers and Professionals HS&E test.

Many principal contractors ask for SMSTS or SSSTS as well as the right CSCS card, so most supervisors and managers need both. CSCS card types explained

What this means for your training matrix

Record the course (SMSTS or SSSTS), the certificate number, the date passed and the expiry date. Set a reminder four months before, and record when the refresher is booked so you can see it's in hand. If someone on your team is a supervisor today but will be managing soon, plan the step up from SSSTS to SMSTS before their SSSTS expires.

Prefer a spreadsheet for now? Get our free training matrix template.

Common questions

Is there a grace period for SMSTS or SSSTS? No. The refresher must be completed before the certificate expires. If it lapses, you have to take the full course again.

How long is the SMSTS refresher? SMSTS-R is a two-day course (at least 15 hours). SSSTS-R is one day (at least 7.5 hours).

Can I do the SMSTS refresher online? Yes. CITB allows remote delivery as a live, trainer-led course over video, with each delegate on their own computer and webcam.

How long does SMSTS last? Five years. The expiry date is printed on the certificate. SSSTS is the same.

Does SSSTS get me a gold CSCS card? No. The Supervisory card needs a Level 3 or 4 supervisory or technical NVQ/SVQ and the Specialist Supervisory HS&E test.

Last checked against official sources: October 2026.