What's the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?
SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is the 5-day CITB course for site managers, agents and project managers. SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) is the 2-day course for first-line supervisors, foremen, gangers and team leaders. Both certificates are valid for 5 years and are recognised across UK construction.
Key facts
- SMSTS = 5-day course for site managers, agents and project managers.
- SSSTS = 2-day course for first-line supervisors, gangers, foremen and team leaders.
- Both certificates are valid for 5 years.
- Refreshers: 2 days for SMSTS, 1 day for SSSTS, both within the 5-year window.
- SMSTS does not replace SSSTS and vice versa. The qualification has to match the role.
- Both courses are CITB-accredited and recognised on every UK construction site.
What SMSTS is for
The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is built for the person legally accountable for safety on the construction site. That includes site managers, project managers, site agents and contracts managers. The 5-day course covers the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 in depth, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, risk assessments and method statements at management level, contractor control, plant and lifting operations management, occupational health, temporary works management, fire prevention and incident investigation. A delegate passes by completing the in-course exercises and the end-of-course exam. Most Tier 1 main contractors require an SMSTS certificate on file for anyone running a site for them.
What SSSTS is for
The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme is built for the people directly supervising work on the ground. That includes gangers, foremen, working supervisors and team leaders responsible for a small team or work package. The 2-day course covers the supervisor’s own duty under health and safety law, the briefing and toolbox-talk role, daily site inspections, behaviour-based safety, accident reporting, and the practical handling of risk assessments and method statements at the operative interface. A delegate passes by completing in-course exercises and a written assessment. SSSTS is the most-asked-for site supervisor qualification on UK construction sites.
SMSTS vs SSSTS at a glance
| Element | SMSTS | SSSTS |
|---|---|---|
| Role level | Site manager / agent / PM | First-line supervisor / foreman / ganger |
| Course duration | 5 days | 2 days |
| Certificate validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Refresher | 2 days within the 5-year window | 1 day within the 5-year window |
| Assessment | In-course exercises plus end-of-course exam | In-course exercises plus written assessment |
| Awarding body | CITB | CITB |
| Site duty covered | Site management of health, safety, welfare and environment | Direct supervision of a work team or package |
Which course do I need?
Match the qualification to the duty, not to the job title. The same job title can carry different responsibilities on different sites:
- SMSTS – if you are accountable for safety on the site as a whole, sign off the construction phase plan, manage other supervisors, deal with the principal contractor or the HSE, and chair safety inductions.
- SSSTS – if you supervise a team or a work package, deliver toolbox talks, complete daily inspections, brief the operatives on the day’s risk assessments and method statements, and report up to a site manager.
- Both – many supervisors take SSSTS first, work in a supervisory role for several years, then progress to SMSTS when stepping up to site manager.
If the role is unclear, call us on 01543 899706 and we will match you to the correct qualification before you book.
Common mistake: putting an SSSTS-holder in an SMSTS role
A frequent issue at tender pre-qualification and HSE inspections is finding a supervisor on site holding only SSSTS but carrying the duties of a site manager. The qualification does not stretch. SSSTS is built for first-line supervision; it does not cover the depth of CDM 2015, contractor control, temporary works management or incident investigation that SMSTS covers. If your supervisor is functioning as the site manager, book the SMSTS. Mismatched qualifications turn up as audit findings and can disqualify a business from tender lists.
Can I take SMSTS without doing SSSTS first?
Yes. SMSTS is not a progression from SSSTS. It is a separate qualification for a separate role. A new site manager moving up from another industry can attend SMSTS directly. That said, the SMSTS week is intensive, and delegates with prior construction supervisory experience (whether or not they hold SSSTS) usually find the course easier to absorb. We screen each booking on enrolment to make sure the course is the right fit.
How the two courses sit alongside other SSP credentials
SMSTS and SSSTS sit in the middle of the CITB Site Safety Plus suite. The Health & Safety Awareness course sits below for new operatives. TWS and TWC sit alongside for temporary works duties, often held in addition to SSSTS or SMSTS. The Director’s Role sits above at board level. A supervisor managing temporary works on site typically holds SSSTS plus TWS. A site manager with board responsibilities typically holds SMSTS plus the Director’s Role.
Related questions
- Who needs SMSTS vs the Black Manager CSCS card / NVQ route?
- How much does an SMSTS or SSSTS course cost?
- How long is the SMSTS / SSSTS certificate valid for, and how do I renew it?
- What is CITB Site Safety Plus (SSP)?
- What is the TWS and TWC course?
Quick answers to related questions
How long do SMSTS and SSSTS courses take?
SMSTS is a 5-day course, typically run Monday to Friday at our centre or as five non-consecutive days for clients who need to spread the time. SSSTS is a 2-day course. The refreshers are 2 days (SMSTS) and 1 day (SSSTS).
How much does an SMSTS course cost?
SMSTS cost depends on whether you book at our centre, on your site, and the group size. CITB Levy-registered employers can usually grant-recover most of the cost. Call us for an all-in quote on the route you need.
Is SSSTS enough for a site manager?
No. SSSTS is built for first-line supervision. The site manager duty (CDM 2015 management, contractor control, temporary works management, incident investigation) is covered by SMSTS. Putting an SSSTS-holder in a site manager role is a common audit finding.
Last updated: 2026-05-21. Reviewed by the MPTT CITB Site Safety Plus training team, CITB-approved instructors.
Choosing Between SMSTS and SSSTS?
Midland Plant Training & Testing delivers both SMSTS and SSSTS at our accredited centre and on client sites across England. We will match the qualification to the role rather than the job title, so the certificate stands up at tender pre-qualification and HSE inspection. Tell us what the supervisor or manager is actually doing on site and we will book the right course.
