How long is the SMSTS refresher course?

The SMSTS refresher is a 2-day course. It runs as a block (two consecutive days) in either weekday or weekend format. Online and classroom options are available.

What happens if my SMSTS certificate expires before I complete the refresher?

If your SMSTS certificate expires before you complete the refresher, you lose your qualification with no grace period. You will need to retake the full 5-day SMSTS course to regain certification. Book your refresher before your expiry date to avoid this.

Can I do the SMSTS refresher online?

Yes. The online SMSTS refresher is delivered via live instructor-led video and results in the same CITB-approved certificate as the classroom version. You need a laptop with camera, microphone and internet connection.

Can I do the SMSTS refresher early?

Yes. You can complete the SMSTS refresher at any point during your 5-year certificate window. Your new certificate starts from the date you complete the refresher, not from your previous expiry date.

Is there a weekend SMSTS refresher course?

Yes. Target Zero Training offers weekend SMSTS refresher courses delivered online on Saturday and Sunday. These carry the same CITB certification as weekday courses.

What do I need to bring to the SMSTS refresher?

You need your valid SMSTS certificate (or digital copy) and photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. For online courses, you need a laptop with camera, microphone and internet. For classroom courses, arrive by 08:30 with a notepad and pen.

SMSTS Refresher March 2026: Dates and Availability

Q: How much does the SMSTS refresher course cost?

The SMSTS refresher course at Target Zero Training starts from £279+VAT. This includes the course, all materials, the exam and your renewed certificate. CITB training grants may be available to offset the cost.

Q: What is the SMSTS refresher pass mark?

The SMSTS refresher exam requires an 80% pass mark. The exam contains 18 multiple choice questions and 7 short written questions. You must also answer all safety critical questions correctly to pass.

When You Book Multiple Courses.

Is your SMSTS certificate due to expire? March is one of the busiest months for SMSTS refresher courses as site managers rush to renew before the spring construction season ramps up. Spaces fill quickly, especially on online and weekend dates.

This guide covers everything you need to know about booking your SMSTS refresher in March 2026. We’ll walk you through available dates, delivery options, pricing and what to do if your certificate is about to lapse.

Why March Is a Critical Month for SMSTS Renewals

Construction activity picks up sharply from April onward. Employers begin staffing up for larger projects, and site managers need valid qualifications to stay on site. If your SMSTS certificate expires in March, April or May, now is the time to act.

Waiting until the last week before expiry is risky. Popular dates sell out, and if your certificate lapses before you complete the refresher, you’ll need to retake the full five-day SMSTS course instead. That costs more, takes longer and means more time away from work.

Booking now gives you the widest choice of dates and delivery formats. It also means you can claim your CITB training grant before the end of the financial year.

SMSTS Refresher Course Dates: March 2026

At Target Zero Training, we run SMSTS refresher courses throughout March across multiple venues and online. The two-day course runs Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday, or as a weekend option on Saturday–Sunday.

Our March 2026 dates span our full venue network. Online instructor-led courses run multiple times per week, giving you maximum flexibility. Classroom courses run at our venues in Chelmsford, Sheffield, Peterborough, Stratford, Crawley and Waltham Abbey.

Availability changes daily as delegates book. For the most up-to-date dates and live availability, visit our SMSTS refresher booking page where you can filter by venue, date and format.

Online SMSTS Refresher Dates

Our online SMSTS refresher runs via live instructor-led video. You join from home or the office using a laptop with camera and microphone. The tutor delivers the same content as the classroom version. You interact with other delegates in real time, complete group exercises and sit the exam online.

Online dates run several times per week throughout March. This is the fastest way to secure a place, as online courses have more availability than classroom dates. Weekend online options also run for those who can’t take weekdays off.

Classroom SMSTS Refresher Dates

Prefer face-to-face learning? We run classroom refresher courses at venues across the UK. March classroom dates are available at our Chelmsford, Sheffield, Stratford and Crawley training centres.

Classroom courses have smaller capacity than online. If your preferred venue is full, consider the online option or check a nearby venue. Our team can help you find the nearest available date. Call 01245 379496.

Weekend SMSTS Refresher Dates

Can’t take two weekdays off work? Our weekend SMSTS refresher runs on Saturday and Sunday, delivered online. This is popular with site managers who don’t want to lose productive working days. Weekend dates book out fastest, so reserve your place early.

How Much Does the SMSTS Refresher Cost?

Our SMSTS refresher starts from £279+VAT. The price includes the course, all materials, the exam and your renewed certificate. There are no hidden fees.

To put that in perspective, competitors charge between £279 and £375+VAT for the same CITB-approved course. Our pricing sits at the competitive end while delivering the same quality, backed by a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,100 reviews.

Flexible Payment Options

Klarna pay-monthly is available at checkout for those who prefer to spread the cost. If your employer pays the CITB levy, they can claim a training grant through the Employer Network to offset the fee.

What the SMSTS Refresher Course Covers

The SMSTS refresher is a condensed two-day course. It updates your knowledge on the key areas covered in the original five-day SMSTS course. The focus is on changes to legislation, new industry guidance and evolving best practice since you last completed the course.

In 2026, the refresher places extra emphasis on psychological safety and workload management within the welfare module. The weighting of health and high-risk sections has also increased. Your tutor will cover these updates alongside the core topics of CDM 2015, risk assessment, working at height, excavations and fire safety.

The course finishes with an assessment. The refresher exam contains 18 multiple choice questions and 7 short written questions. You need an 80% pass mark, and you must answer all safety critical questions correctly. Our tutors prepare you thoroughly. We maintain a 100% pass rate on assessment-based courses.

Who Needs the SMSTS Refresher?

You need the refresher if you hold a current SMSTS certificate that will expire within the next six months. The CITB allows you to complete the refresher any time during the five-year validity window. However, you must finish the course before your certificate expires.

If your certificate has already lapsed, the refresher is no longer an option. You’ll need to complete the full five-day SMSTS course again. This is why booking early matters so much. Don’t wait until the final month.

How to Check Your SMSTS Expiry Date

Check the expiry date printed on your SMSTS certificate. You can also verify your qualification through the CITB card checker portal. If you can’t find your certificate, contact CITB directly or call our team and we can help you confirm your status.

As a general rule, if you completed your last SMSTS or SMSTS refresher course in 2021, your certificate will expire in 2026. If you completed it in early 2021, it may have already expired or be due very soon. Check today. Don’t assume you have more time.

What Happens If Your SMSTS Certificate Expires?

If your certificate expires before you complete the refresher, you lose your SMSTS qualification. There is no grace period. You’ll need to retake the full five-day course to get back into the scheme.

This has real consequences. Without a valid SMSTS certificate, you may not meet the requirements for your current role. Many construction employers require site managers to hold a current SMSTS as a condition of employment. Build UK and the UKCG both treat it as a standard requirement for management positions.

The cost difference is significant too. The full SMSTS course costs £419+VAT and takes five days. The refresher costs from £279+VAT and takes just two days. Booking the refresher on time saves you money, time and potential disruption to your work.

For a detailed look at what happens when your qualification lapses, read our guide on what happens if your SMSTS certificate expires.

CITB Grant Funding for SMSTS Refresher Courses in 2026

If your employer pays the CITB levy, you may qualify for grant funding towards your refresher course. In 2026, grant funding operates through the Employer Network (EN) model. Your employer claims grants through their local network rather than directly from CITB.

The grant covers a portion of the course fee. Processing times vary, so submit your claim promptly after completing the course. Your employer will need their Network EN ID and proof of your successful completion.

March falls at the end of the UK financial year. Many employers prefer to use their remaining training budget before April. If your employer has unused training funds, now is the ideal time to book. Combining the CITB grant with the remaining budget can reduce the effective cost of your refresher to very little, or even nothing.

Not sure if your employer qualifies? Call us on 01245 379496 and we’ll help you check. We process grant claims regularly and can guide you through the paperwork.

What to Bring to Your SMSTS Refresher Course

Whether you’re attending online or in the classroom, you’ll need a few things ready before day one.

Your valid SMSTS certificate. You must provide proof that you hold a current SMSTS qualification. Bring your original certificate or a digital copy. If you can’t locate it, contact CITB before your course date to request a replacement or verification.

Photo ID. A valid passport or driving licence. Your tutor will check this on the first day.

For online courses: A laptop or desktop computer with a working camera, microphone and stable internet connection. Tablets and phones are not suitable for the virtual classroom. Make sure your setup works before the course starts. Test your camera and audio the day before.

For classroom courses: Arrive by 08:30 on day one. The venue address and parking details are included in your booking confirmation. Bring a notepad and pen for making notes during the course.

The right mindset. The refresher is condensed and fast-paced. Two days cover a lot of ground. Come prepared to engage fully, participate in discussions and focus during the assessment. Delegates who engage actively throughout the course handle the exam with confidence.

Last-Minute Booking: What to Do If You Need a Course This Week

If your certificate is about to expire and you haven’t booked yet, here’s the fastest route to securing your place:

Step 1: Check online dates first. Online courses have the most availability and the most frequent start dates. Visit our online SMSTS refresher page and check this week’s dates.

Step 2: Book immediately. Don’t wait. Spaces on popular dates can sell out within hours, especially mid-month. Our booking system shows live availability and you can secure your place instantly online.

Step 3: Call us if you can’t find a date. Ring 01245 379496 and speak to Louise, Owen or Oliver. They can check availability across all venues and help you find the earliest possible date. They’ll also confirm whether your certificate is still valid for the refresher.

Step 4: Consider a weekend course. If all weekday dates are full, check our weekend option. Saturday–Sunday courses run online and offer the same certification.

SMSTS Refresher vs Full SMSTS Course: Which Do You Need?

The refresher is only for delegates who already hold a valid SMSTS certificate. If you’ve never completed the SMSTS, or if your certificate has already expired, you’ll need the full five-day course instead.

Here’s a quick comparison:

The SMSTS Refresher takes 2 days, costs from £279+VAT and renews your existing certificate for another 5 years. The full SMSTS course takes 5 days, costs £419+VAT and provides a new certificate valid for 5 years. Both include the exam, materials and certification.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for the refresher, our guide on do I need an SMSTS refresher covers all the eligibility requirements.

Why Book Your SMSTS Refresher With Target Zero Training?

We’ve delivered SMSTS refresher courses to thousands of site managers. Here’s why delegates choose us:

Competitive pricing from £279+VAT, among the best rates in the UK for a CITB-approved course.

Flexible delivery options. Online, classroom and weekend courses running throughout March and beyond.

Multiple UK venues. Chelmsford, Sheffield, Peterborough, Stratford, Crawley and Waltham Abbey.

4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,100 verified reviews. Our delegates rate us consistently for tutor quality, course organisation and value for money.

100% pass rate on assessment-based courses. Our tutors prepare every delegate for the exam with real construction experience and clear, practical teaching.

Flexible payment. Klarna pay-monthly and CITB grant support available.

Prepare for the SMSTS Refresher Exam

The refresher exam follows the same format as the full SMSTS assessment. You’ll face 18 multiple choice questions and 7 short written questions in 35 minutes. The pass mark is 80%, and safety critical questions must all be correct.

Want to practise before your course? Try our free SMSTS mock test. It covers the types of questions you’ll encounter and helps you identify areas to brush up on. You can also read our full guide on SMSTS exam questions and answers for a detailed breakdown of the test format.

What’s New in the 2026 SMSTS Refresher?

The SMSTS refresher content updates every year to reflect changes in legislation and industry practice. In 2026, several updates make the refresher especially valuable for site managers who last completed the course a few years ago.

The CITB has increased the weighting of health and high-risk topics in the assessment. Psychological safety now features as a formal part of the welfare module. This means you’ll cover mental health awareness, workload management and the site manager’s role in supporting worker wellbeing. These topics weren’t part of the curriculum even two years ago.

CITB grant funding has also shifted to the Employer Network model. Your tutor will explain how the new system works and how employers can access funding. This practical knowledge helps you advise your employer on claiming grants for future training across your team.

The refresher also covers any recent updates to CDM 2015 guidance, changes to approved codes of practice and new case law. If you’ve been managing sites based on knowledge from your last course five years ago, some of your assumptions may now be outdated. The refresher brings everything current in just two days.

Common Questions About the SMSTS Refresher

Can I do the refresher early? Yes. You can complete the SMSTS refresher at any point during your five-year certificate window. Many site managers book their refresher six months before expiry to avoid the last-minute rush. Your new certificate starts from the date you complete the refresher, not from the date your old one expires.

Is the online refresher the same qualification? Yes. The online SMSTS refresher delivers exactly the same CITB-approved content and results in the same certificate as the classroom version. The only difference is the delivery method. Your tutor, materials and exam are identical.

How quickly will I receive my certificate? After passing, the CITB uploads your qualification to the card checker portal within a few days. You’ll have a digital record almost immediately. Your physical certificate typically arrives within four weeks.

Can I fail the refresher exam? If you score above 71% but miss a safety critical question, you can resit within 90 days. If you score below 71%, you’ll need to attend the full refresher course again. Our 100% pass rate means this very rarely happens with Target Zero delegates.

Book Your SMSTS Refresher Now

Don’t risk letting your certificate expire. March dates are filling up and the best slots go first. Book today and arrive at the spring construction season with a renewed qualification.

Book your SMSTS refresher today from £279+VAT →

Prefer online? Book the online SMSTS refresher →

Looking for the full course? Book the 5-day SMSTS course from £419+VAT →

Questions? Call 01245 379496 or browse our complete SMSTS refresher guide for more details.