How long is the SMSTS / SSSTS certificate valid for, and how do I renew it?

Key facts

• SMSTS certificate validity = 5 years.
• SSSTS certificate validity = 5 years.
• SMSTS Refresher = 2 days, within the 5-year window.
• SSSTS Refresher = 1 day, within the 5-year window.
• Past expiry, refreshers are not accepted. The holder must retake the full 5-day SMSTS or 2-day SSSTS.
• Book refreshers at least 6 weeks before expiry to allow time for any rescheduling without the certificate lapsing.

The 5-year rule and what it means

CITB issues SMSTS and SSSTS certificates with a 5-year validity from the pass date printed on the certificate. The rule is the same for both. During the 5 years the holder can carry the qualification on tender pre-qualification documents (PQQs), present it at site induction and use it to evidence competence under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. After 5 years the certificate is no longer accepted as current and the holder must hold a fresh refresher (or full course) to continue working in the SSSTS or SMSTS role.

Renewing within the window: refresher courses

Inside the 5-year window the renewal route is a CITB refresher:

• SMSTS Refresher – 2 days. Recap of the SMSTS syllabus with emphasis on regulation changes and recent incident lessons. End-of-course written assessment. New 5-year certificate on passing.
• SSSTS Refresher – 1 day. Recap of the SSSTS syllabus with emphasis on regulation changes. Written assessment at the end of the day. New 5-year certificate on passing.

Both refreshers require the candidate to hold an in-date original certificate at the time of attendance. CITB does not accept a refresher booking from a holder whose original certificate has already expired.

Past expiry: full course required

If the original SMSTS or SSSTS certificate has lapsed past its 5-year expiry, the refresher route is no longer available. The holder must retake the full course:

• SMSTS – 5 days, including the end-of-course exam.
• SSSTS – 2 days, including the end-of-course written assessment.

The cost difference between a refresher and a full retake is significant. So is the time difference: 2 days versus 5 for SMSTS; 1 day versus 2 for SSSTS. The CITB rule is strict on this and there is no informal grace period. If the expiry date has passed, the refresher is off the table.

When should I book my refresher?

Best practice is 6 weeks before expiry for a routine refresher. Booking early means:

• You complete the refresher before expiry, so the certificate never lapses.
• If a scheduling issue forces a reschedule, there is still time to fit the refresher in.
• You stay on tender pre-qualification documents and at site induction without a gap.

If you are inside the 6-week window already, book now. Call 01543 899706 and we will fit you into the next available date.

Tracking certificates across a team

For employers running several SMSTS or SSSTS holders, the practical issue is tracking expiry dates so refreshers can be booked in time. We recommend maintaining a simple matrix listing each supervisor or manager, the certificate type, the pass date and the expiry date, and reviewing it quarterly. We can pull the matrix together for MPTT clients on request: send us the team list and we will return the certificate status with refresher dates flagged. This is particularly useful at tender pre-qualification, where some Tier 1 contractors require evidence that every supervisor and manager on the project has a certificate with at least 12 months left to run.

Refresher delivery: centre-based or on-site

Refreshers can be delivered at our accredited centre in Cannock or on a client site across England. For employers running a batch of supervisors through SSSTS Refresher at once, on-site delivery is usually the cost-effective option. The instructor visits you, the day runs in your meeting room, and the operator travel and downtime cost is removed. Combine an on-site SSSTS Refresher with an on-site SMSTS Refresher (consecutive days for the same client) where the team has both qualification levels present.

What if the holder has moved jobs and lost the certificate?

The CITB holds the central record. If a supervisor or manager has lost their original certificate, CITB can issue a replacement on request. We can help with the replacement process. The 5-year validity is calculated from the original pass date on CITB’s record, not from the date of the replacement certificate, so a lost certificate does not extend the window.

Related questions

• Who needs SMSTS vs the Black Manager CSCS card / NVQ route?
• How much does an SMSTS or SSSTS course cost?
• What’s the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?
• Can SSP courses be delivered on-site?
• What is CITB Site Safety Plus?

Quick answers to related questions

How long is the SMSTS certificate valid for?

5 years from the pass date. To keep the qualification current, the holder must complete the 2-day SMSTS Refresher within the 5-year window. Past expiry, the full 5-day SMSTS is required.

How long is the SSSTS certificate valid for?

5 years from the pass date. The 1-day SSSTS Refresher renews the certificate for another 5 years, provided it is completed before the original certificate expires. Past expiry, the full 2-day SSSTS is required.

What if my SMSTS or SSSTS has just expired?

The CITB rule is strict: refreshers are not accepted past expiry. The holder must retake the full course. Book the refresher 6 weeks before expiry to avoid the jump.

Last updated: 2026-05-21. Reviewed by the MPTT CITB Site Safety Plus training team, CITB-approved instructors.