SMSTS Training: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Q: What is the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?

The SMSTS is a five-day course for site managers and those with overall management responsibility. The SSSTS is a two-day course for site supervisors. They cover similar legislation at different levels and are not interchangeable. If you manage a site, you need the SMSTS. If you supervise work under a manager, the SSSTS is appropriate.

Q: Where can I do the SMSTS?

Target Zero run SMSTS courses at classroom venues in Chelmsford, Peterborough, Crawley, Sheffield, Stratford, Waltham Abbey and Barking, plus online via Zoom. View all upcoming dates at targetzerotraining.co.uk/citb-smsts-training-courses-2/

When You Book Multiple Courses.

The SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is the most widely recognised health and safety qualification for site managers and senior construction professionals in the UK. If you manage a construction site, it is almost certainly expected of you.

This guide covers everything you need to know before, during and after the course: what it is, who needs it, what the five days actually involve, how the exam works, how much it costs, what CITB grants are available, and how to book.

Ready to book? View all upcoming dates on our SMSTS training courses page.

What Is the SMSTS Course?

SMSTS stands for the Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It is a five-day health and safety course developed and approved by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board). The qualification is designed specifically for site managers, project managers, contracts managers and other professionals responsible for the health, safety and welfare of workers on construction sites.

The course is not a legal requirement in the strictest sense. There is no UK law that states you must hold an SMSTS card. However, it has become a de facto industry standard. Many principal contractors, frameworks and public sector clients will not allow an unqualified manager on site, and BuildUK member companies require it as a condition of employment. If you manage a site and do not hold a current SMSTS certificate, you will increasingly find your options limited.

The qualification is valid for five years, after which you must complete the two-day SMSTS Refresher course to renew it. Target Zero recommend completing the refresher at the three-year mark to stay current with the latest legislation changes.

Who Needs the SMSTS?

The SMSTS is aimed at anyone with management responsibility on a construction or civil engineering site. The typical candidate is a site manager or project manager, but the course is also relevant for:

Contracts managers
Site agents
Construction directors with site-level responsibility
Self-employed senior tradespeople who manage others
Professionals moving from operative to management roles

If you are a supervisor or foreperson rather than a manager, the SSSTS (Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme) may be more appropriate. The SSSTS is a two-day course covering similar legislation at a supervisory rather than management level.

There are no formal entry requirements for the SMSTS. You do not need a previous qualification to enrol. However, the exam includes a written section, so a reasonable level of written English is important. Delegates who are not confident in this area may want to consider additional preparation beforehand.

What Does the SMSTS Cover? The Full Curriculum

The SMSTS covers the full range of health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation relevant to construction sites. Over five days, the course addresses the following areas:

Health and Safety Law and Management

The legal framework underpinning all construction site safety, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Delegates learn how to conduct and document risk assessments, implement control measures and build a genuine health and safety culture on site.

CDM Regulations 2015

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 are central to how all notifiable projects are managed. The SMSTS covers the duties of clients, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors and workers, and exactly where a site manager’s obligations begin and end.

Working at Height

Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of fatal injuries in UK construction. The Working at Height Regulations 2005 require a hierarchy of controls, and the course covers how to apply this in practice, from eliminating the need to work at height through to edge protection, scaffolding and personal protective equipment.

Excavations and Ground Works

Excavations present significant risks of collapse and contact with buried services. Delegates learn the requirements for safe excavation work, including inspection regimes and support systems.

Confined Spaces

The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 apply to any space with restricted access where there is a risk of injury from hazardous substances or lack of oxygen. The SMSTS covers how to identify confined spaces, the permit-to-work system and rescue planning.

Electricity on Site

The course covers the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, safe systems of work for isolating and controlling electrical supplies, and the management of temporary electrical installations.

Demolition

Demolition work carries specific risks and regulatory requirements, including pre-demolition surveys, structural instability and the management of hazardous materials such as asbestos. The planning and supervision requirements for demolition activities are covered in full.

Fire Safety

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment on all construction sites. Delegates learn how to manage fire risks, implement prevention measures, plan emergency evacuation routes and manage hot works permits.

Asbestos

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the requirements for asbestos management plans, surveys and licensed removal are all covered. Asbestos remains present in millions of UK buildings and poses ongoing risks during construction and refurbishment work.

Manual Handling, Noise and Vibration

Musculoskeletal disorders, noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome are among the most prevalent occupational health conditions in construction. The course covers the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

Welfare Facilities and Environmental Responsibilities

The CDM Regulations set minimum standards for welfare facilities on site. The SMSTS also covers environmental responsibilities, including waste management, pollution prevention and protecting ecology during construction works.

Reporting and Investigation (RIDDOR)

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 require certain incidents to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive. The course covers which incidents are reportable, how to investigate accidents, and how to use near-miss reporting to prevent future incidents.

How Is the SMSTS Course Structured? Day by Day

The SMSTS runs over five consecutive days, either in a classroom or via live online delivery through Zoom. Each day is tutor-led and combines presentations, case studies, group exercises and discussion. There is no exam at the end of each day. The formal assessment takes place on day five.

A typical SMSTS week at Target Zero looks like this:

Day 1: Legal framework, health and safety management, risk assessment, CDM Regulations 2015
Day 2: Working at height, scaffolding, edge protection, access equipment
Day 3: Excavations, demolition, confined spaces, electricity, fire safety
Day 4: Asbestos, manual handling, noise, vibration, welfare, environmental duties, RIDDOR
Day 5: Morning review and consolidation; exam in the afternoon

Courses start at 08:30 and typically finish by 17:00. You must be present for all five days. If you miss a day, you will need to re-enrol and attend from day one.

The SMSTS Exam: What to Expect

The SMSTS assessment takes place on the afternoon of day five and consists of two parts:

Multiple Choice Questions

A set of multiple choice questions covering the full breadth of the course content. These test your recall of legislation, regulations, definitions and procedures. Read each question carefully as options are often similar.

Written Questions

Scenario-based written questions where you will be presented with a construction situation and asked to identify hazards, explain the relevant legislation, describe control measures and set out a manager’s responsibilities. This section tests your ability to apply knowledge, not just recall it.

The pass mark is 81%. Delegates who do not achieve this on the first attempt may be eligible for a re-sit.

Exam tips from our tutors:

Focus on understanding principles and the hierarchy of controls, not memorising everything
For written questions, always reference the specific regulation or act by name
Use the full time available and review your answers before submitting
In the multiple choice section, eliminate the obviously wrong options first
Structure written answers clearly: identify the hazard, state the legislation, explain the control measure, describe the manager’s role

SMSTS Certificate: What You Receive

On successful completion, you will receive a CITB SMSTS certificate. This is issued by the CITB directly and is recognised across the UK construction industry. The certificate is valid for five years from the date of completion.

Most delegates also add the SMSTS to their CSCS card record. If you hold a gold CSCS card (which requires an NVQ Level 6 or 7), the SMSTS is often required alongside it. Completing the SMSTS alongside a relevant NVQ opens the pathway to a gold or platinum card.

We recommend completing the SMSTS Refresher at the three-year mark rather than waiting for expiry. Legislation changes frequently, and refreshing your knowledge mid-cycle ensures you are always managing to current standards.

SMSTS Cost in 2026

Target Zero SMSTS training starts from £399 + VAT for classroom courses. This covers all five days of tutor-led training, course materials, the CITB assessment fee and your certificate on successful completion. There are no hidden extras.

Online SMSTS courses are available via live Zoom delivery and are identical in content and assessment to classroom courses, resulting in the same CITB-recognised certificate.

For employers booking multiple places or courses, a 10% multi-booking discount is available. Call 01245 379496 or email sales@targetzerogroup.co.uk for a group quote.

CITB Grants for SMSTS 2026

If you are a CITB-registered employer, you may be eligible for grant funding towards the cost of the SMSTS through your local CITB Employer Network. The funding route changed on 8 January 2026. You can no longer claim directly through the standard CITB Grants Scheme. Instead, you must book through a CITB Employer Network with the support of a local adviser.

The current Employer Network rate for SMSTS is £115 per delegate. To access this, contact your regional CITB adviser before booking. Target Zero is a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) and our team can help guide you through the process. Call 01245 379496 for more information.

For a full breakdown of the 2026 changes, see our guide to CITB grant funding changes 2026.

Classroom vs Online SMSTS: Which Is Right for You?

Both delivery methods lead to exactly the same CITB-recognised qualification. The choice comes down to your learning style, schedule and location.

Classroom SMSTS suits delegates who prefer face-to-face learning, benefit from discussion with peers, or find it easier to focus away from home or the office. Target Zero run classroom SMSTS courses at venues in Chelmsford, Peterborough, Crawley, Sheffield, Stratford, Waltham Abbey and Barking.

Online SMSTS suits delegates who need flexibility, work remotely, or are based outside our venue areas. Our online SMSTS courses are delivered live via Zoom with a qualified tutor, not pre-recorded videos. You get the same interaction and Q&A as in the classroom.

SMSTS vs SSSTS: What Is the Difference?

The SMSTS is for managers. The SSSTS is for supervisors. The two courses cover similar legislation at different levels and are not interchangeable.

The SSSTS is a two-day course designed for people who oversee work on site but report to a site manager, rather than holding overall management responsibility. If you are a foreperson, working ganger or section supervisor, the SSSTS is the right qualification. If you manage a site, you need the SMSTS.

Some professionals hold both, particularly those who work across supervisory and management roles on different projects. For a full breakdown, see our guide: SMSTS vs SSSTS, which course do you need?

SMSTS Refresher: When and Why

The SMSTS certificate is valid for five years. To renew it, you must complete the two-day SMSTS Refresher course before your certificate expires. If it lapses, you will need to re-sit the full five-day course rather than the refresher.

Target Zero recommend completing the refresher at the three-year mark. Health and safety legislation changes regularly, and the gap between what you learned at year three and current law can be significant. Refreshing mid-cycle means you are always managing to current standards.

The SMSTS Refresher starts from £279 + VAT and is available at all our classroom venues and online.

How to Book Your SMSTS Course

Target Zero run SMSTS courses every week at venues across the UK and online. You can book directly on our website, selecting your preferred date, venue or online delivery.

For group bookings, closed courses (delivered exclusively to your team at your site or premises) or any questions about eligibility and CITB grants, call 01245 379496 or email sales@targetzerogroup.co.uk. Louise, Owen and Oliver will be happy to help.

View all SMSTS course dates and book online

Target Zero Training is rated 4.9/5.0 on both Trustpilot and Reviews.io, with 10,000+ verified reviews. We are a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SMSTS stand for?

SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It is a five-day CITB-approved health and safety qualification for construction site managers and senior construction professionals.

Is SMSTS a legal requirement?

The SMSTS is not a statutory legal requirement under UK law. However, it is a de facto industry standard required by many principal contractors, public sector clients and BuildUK member organisations. Most site management roles in UK construction now require a current SMSTS certificate.

How long does the SMSTS certificate last?

The SMSTS certificate is valid for five years. After this period, you must complete the two-day SMSTS Refresher to renew your qualification. If the certificate expires before you complete the refresher, you will need to re-sit the full five-day course.

What is the SMSTS pass mark?

The SMSTS pass mark is 81%. The exam consists of two parts: a multiple choice section and a written section based on construction scenarios.

Can I do the SMSTS online?

Yes. Target Zero offer the SMSTS via live online delivery through Zoom. The online course is identical in content and assessment to the classroom version and results in the same CITB-recognised certificate. It is not pre-recorded. It is live, tutor-led training with full Q&A interaction.

How much does the SMSTS cost?

Target Zero SMSTS courses start from £399 + VAT. CITB-registered employers may be eligible for a £115 Employer Network grant contribution. Call 01245 379496 for current rates and multi-booking discounts.

Do I need any previous qualifications to do the SMSTS?

There are no formal entry requirements for the SMSTS. However, the exam includes written scenario-based questions, so a reasonable level of written English is important.

What is the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?

The SMSTS is a five-day course for site managers. The SSSTS is a two-day course for site supervisors. They cover similar legislation at different levels and are not interchangeable.

Where can I do the SMSTS?

Target Zero run SMSTS courses at venues in Chelmsford, Peterborough, Crawley, Sheffield, Stratford, Waltham Abbey and Barking, plus online via Zoom. View all upcoming dates here.

Can my employer pay for my SMSTS?

Yes. Most employers in UK construction will pay for the SMSTS as it is effectively a requirement for site management roles. CITB-registered employers can also access Employer Network grant funding to offset part of the cost. Call 01245 379496 and we can advise on group bookings and grant claims.