SMSTS vs SSSTS Which Course Do You Need?
Both are CITB Site Safety Plus courses. Both give you a certificate valid for five years. But they cover different levels of responsibility and are designed for different roles. Here is everything you need to know to pick the right one.
The short answer
SSSTS is a 2-day course for site supervisors. SMSTS is a 5-day course for site managers. If you supervise a team within a site, you need SSSTS. If you manage the entire site, you need SMSTS. SMSTS covers everything in SSSTS and more, so if you hold SMSTS, you do not also need SSSTS.
SMSTS vs SSSTS: Full Comparison
| Feature | SSSTS | SMSTS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | Site Management Safety Training Scheme |
| Duration | 2 days | 5 days |
| Cost | £175 to £350 | £350 to £550 |
| Target audience | Supervisors, foremen, gangers, chargehands | Site managers, project managers, contracts managers |
| Level of responsibility | Supervising teams and monitoring safety | Full site management including legal and CDM duties |
| CDM 2015 covered | Overview only | In depth |
| Accident investigation | Basic awareness | Full investigation procedures |
| Assessment | Continuous + multiple choice test | Continuous + multiple choice test |
| Certificate | CITB Site Safety Plus (5 years) | CITB Site Safety Plus (5 years) |
| Refresher | 1 day | 2 days |
| Refresher cost | £100 to £200 | £200 to £350 |
| CITB grant | £115 | £115 |
| Online option | Yes (Zoom/Teams) | Yes (Zoom/Teams) |
| Weekend option | Yes | Yes (over 2 weekends) |
| Complements | Gold CSCS Card (NVQ Level 3/4) | Black CSCS Card (NVQ Level 6/7) |
What Is SSSTS?
SSSTS stands for Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. It is a two-day CITB-approved course designed for supervisors, foremen, and first-line managers in construction. The course covers the health, safety, welfare, and environmental responsibilities of anyone supervising work on a construction site.
The content focuses on practical supervisory skills: delivering toolbox talks, carrying out risk assessments, monitoring safe working practices, and understanding your legal responsibilities as a supervisor. It is assessed continuously throughout the two days, with a multiple choice test at the end of day two.
On completion, you receive a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate valid for five years. This must be renewed by completing the one-day SSSTS Refresher before your certificate expires. Read our full SSSTS course guide for costs, content, and requirements.
What Is SMSTS?
SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It is a five-day CITB-approved course designed for site managers, project managers, and anyone with overall responsibility for health and safety management on a construction site.
SMSTS goes significantly deeper than SSSTS. It covers full CDM 2015 (Construction Design and Management) regulations, accident and incident investigation, enforcement actions and legal proceedings, risk management at site level, and the management of subcontractors and temporary works. Where SSSTS teaches you to monitor safety, SMSTS teaches you to manage it.
The assessment includes continuous evaluation, group exercises, and a final multiple choice test. On completion, you receive a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate valid for five years. Renewal requires the two-day SMSTS Refresher. Practise for the final test with our free SMSTS mock test.
Who Needs SSSTS?
You supervise people on site
You are a supervisor, foreman, ganger, chargehand, or first-line manager. You oversee a team’s work, deliver toolbox talks, and monitor safe working practices, but you do not have overall management responsibility for the site. You report to a site manager.
View SSSTS course guideYou manage a construction site
You are a site manager, project manager, or contracts manager with overall responsibility for health and safety on a construction project. You deal with CDM duties, liaise with clients and principal designers, manage subcontractors, and are the person held legally accountable for site safety.
Practise for the SMSTS testDo I Need SSSTS Before SMSTS?
No. There is no requirement to complete SSSTS before taking the SMSTS. You can go directly to SMSTS if your current role is at management level. The two courses are independent, and SMSTS does not list SSSTS as a prerequisite.
That said, many construction professionals follow a natural progression. They complete SSSTS when they first take on supervisory responsibilities, gain experience in that role for a few years, then complete SMSTS when they step up into site management. This mirrors the typical career pathway in UK construction.
If you are currently a supervisor but plan to move into management within the next year or two, it may be worth going straight to SMSTS. The SMSTS covers everything in the SSSTS and more, so holding SMSTS effectively means you do not also need SSSTS. Some employers will accept SMSTS in place of SSSTS for supervisory roles, though this varies by contractor.
Can SMSTS Replace SSSTS?
In most cases, yes. The SMSTS is the higher qualification and covers a broader scope than the SSSTS. If you hold a valid SMSTS certificate, most principal contractors will accept it as evidence of your health and safety training, regardless of whether your current role is management or supervision.
However, there are some exceptions. A small number of principal contractors have specific requirements that supervisors hold the SSSTS certificate rather than SMSTS, particularly on certain framework contracts. If you are unsure, check with your employer or the principal contractor for the project you are working on.
SMSTS vs SSSTS: Cost Comparison
SSSTS is significantly cheaper than SMSTS, reflecting the shorter duration and lower level of content.
SSSTS costs £175 to £350 for two days. Online courses are at the lower end, classroom courses at CITB’s own venues are at the higher end. The one-day refresher costs £100 to £200.
SMSTS costs £350 to £550 for five days. Again, online courses are typically cheaper. The two-day refresher costs £200 to £350.
CITB-registered employers can claim a grant of £115 towards either course. If your employer pays the CITB levy, the net cost of SSSTS can be as low as £60. The net cost of SMSTS drops to around £235 to £435.
Both courses are available through third-party CITB-approved providers, and most offer interest-free payment plans. Online courses delivered via Zoom or Microsoft Teams are the most affordable option for both.
How SMSTS and SSSTS Fit Into the CSCS Card Pathway
Neither SMSTS nor SSSTS gives you a CSCS card directly. CSCS cards require an NVQ qualification and a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. But the two training certificates complement specific CSCS cards:
SSSTS + NVQ Level 3/4 = Gold CSCS Card
The SSSTS proves your H&S training. The NVQ proves your occupational competence. Together they give you full site access as a supervisor on any major project.
SMSTS + NVQ Level 6/7 = Black CSCS Card
The SMSTS proves your management-level H&S training. The NVQ proves your site management competence. Together they qualify you for any construction management role.
Not sure which card you need? Use our free CSCS Card Finder tool to get a personalised recommendation based on your current role and qualifications.
SMSTS and SSSTS Refresher Courses
Both certificates expire after five years. You must complete the relevant refresher course before your certificate expires. If it expires before you complete the refresher, you will need to retake the full course.
The SSSTS Refresher is one day and costs £100 to £200. It updates your knowledge on legislative changes and industry best practice since your last course. Available online and in the classroom.
The SMSTS Refresher is two days and costs £200 to £350. It covers the same updates but in greater depth, reflecting the broader scope of management responsibilities. Also available online and in the classroom.
Set a reminder for at least two months before your certificate expiry date. Both refresher courses book up quickly, and leaving it until the last week is a risk you do not want to take.
Prepare for Your Course
Both the SMSTS and SSSTS include a multiple choice test at the end of the course. While the pass rates are generally good for delegates who engage with the course material, going in prepared helps you feel confident and focus on learning rather than worrying about the assessment.
CSCS Practice Test
15 core health, safety, and environment questions with instant feedback. A solid starting point for either SSSTS or SMSTS revision.
SMSTS Mock Test
Management-level questions covering CDM 2015, accident investigation, and full site management responsibilities.
Classroom and online dates available nationwide. CITB-approved, 4.9/5 rated, interest-free payment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?
SMSTS is a five-day course for site managers with overall responsibility for health and safety. SSSTS is a two-day course for supervisors who oversee teams within a site. SMSTS covers CDM 2015, accident investigation, and full legal duties at management level. SSSTS covers supervisory responsibilities, toolbox talks, and risk assessment. Both are CITB Site Safety Plus courses and both certificates are valid for five years.
Is SMSTS higher than SSSTS?
Yes. SMSTS is the higher qualification. It covers full site management responsibilities including CDM 2015, accident investigation, and legal duties. In the construction career pathway, you typically complete SSSTS as a supervisor, then progress to SMSTS when you move into a site management role.
Do I need SSSTS before SMSTS?
No. You can go directly to SMSTS if you are working in or moving into a site management role. SSSTS is not a prerequisite. However, many professionals complete SSSTS first when they are supervisors, then upgrade to SMSTS later.
Can I do SMSTS instead of SSSTS?
Yes. SMSTS covers everything in SSSTS and more. If you hold an SMSTS certificate, you do not also need SSSTS. However, SMSTS is five days and more expensive, so if your role is supervisory rather than managerial, SSSTS may be more appropriate and cost-effective.
How much does SMSTS cost compared to SSSTS?
SSSTS costs £175 to £350 for two days. SMSTS costs £350 to £550 for five days. Both are available online and in the classroom. CITB-registered employers can claim a training grant of £115 towards either course.
Which CSCS card do I get with SMSTS or SSSTS?
Neither course directly qualifies you for a CSCS card. CSCS cards require an NVQ and a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. However, SSSTS complements the Gold CSCS Card (NVQ Level 3/4), and SMSTS complements the Black CSCS Card (NVQ Level 6/7). Most employers expect both the training certificate and the corresponding CSCS card.
Can I take SMSTS or SSSTS online?
Yes. Both courses are available as live virtual classrooms delivered via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The content, assessment, and certification are identical to the classroom version. You need a laptop or PC with a webcam and a stable internet connection. Online courses are typically the cheapest option for both.
How long do SMSTS and SSSTS certificates last?
Both certificates are valid for five years. The SSSTS Refresher is one day. The SMSTS Refresher is two days. You must complete the refresher before your certificate expires, or you will need to retake the full course. There is no grace period for expired certificates.
