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CITB SMSTS Classroom Course

The CITB SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is the recognised health and safety qualification for construction site managers, supervisors and project leaders across the UK. The five-day course forms part of the CITB Site Safety Plus programme and is approved by BuildUK — making it one of the most widely requested qualifications in the construction industry.

The SMSTS qualification demonstrates that holders have a detailed understanding of health and safety legislation, CDM Regulations, risk management and their legal responsibilities as site managers. Principal contractors, clients and developers commonly require SMSTS as a contractual condition of employment on their projects.

Course Details

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Format: Classroom or online instructor-led
  • Awarding Body: CITB
  • Qualification Validity: 5 years
  • Recognised by: BuildUK, major contractors
  • Suitable for: Site managers, supervisors and construction professionals
  • Cost: From £400 + VAT

Prices vary by provider, location and delivery format. Use the course search below to compare dates and fees.

Find SMSTS Classroom Courses

CITB SMSTS course infographic showing the 10 topics covered in the Site Management Safety Training Scheme, including legal framework, risk management, health and safety, and flexible classroom and online delivery options

What does SMSTS stand for?

SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It is a CITB-developed five-day training course designed to improve construction site safety standards and management practices across the UK. The qualification forms part of the CITB Site Safety Plus programme and is approved by BuildUK.

What is the CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme?

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is part of the CITB Site Safety Plus programme. It provides construction managers and supervisors with a detailed understanding of health and safety legislation, CDM Regulations and site management responsibilities. The qualification is recognised throughout the UK construction industry, approved by BuildUK and widely specified in construction management job descriptions and contract requirements.

Who should attend the SMSTS course?

The SMSTS is designed for anyone with management or supervisory responsibility for health and safety on construction sites:

  • Site managers and site supervisors
  • Project managers
  • Construction company owners and directors
  • Site agents
  • Those progressing from SSSTS to a management-level qualification

SMSTS is commonly required by principal contractors, clients and developers as a condition of employment on construction projects.

What does the SMSTS course cover?

The course focuses on construction site management, legal compliance and risk control under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation:

  • Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and legal responsibilities
  • Risk assessments and method statements
  • Managing excavations and scaffolding
  • Demolition safety and temporary works
  • Confined spaces and permits to work
  • Site set-up, welfare and organisation
  • Environmental awareness and sustainability
  • Working at height — planning, equipment and supervision
  • Fire prevention and emergency procedures

Delegates learn how to plan, monitor and control health and safety procedures on construction sites in line with current UK legislation and industry best practice.

What is the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS?

SMSTS is a five-day course aimed at site managers with full management responsibility for health and safety on construction sites. SSSTS is a two-day course for site supervisors working under a site manager. SMSTS covers a significantly wider range of legal responsibilities, site management duties and risk management techniques. Many construction professionals complete SSSTS first and progress to SMSTS as they move into management roles.

Is SMSTS a legal requirement?

SMSTS is not a specific legal requirement under UK health and safety law, but it is widely required by principal contractors, clients and developers as a contractual condition of employment on their construction sites. It is recognised by BuildUK, the Considerate Constructors Scheme and most major UK contractors. For site managers, holding an SMSTS certificate is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate competence in health and safety management.

Can my employer claim CITB funding towards SMSTS?

Construction employers registered with the CITB Levy may be able to offset part of the SMSTS course cost. From January 2026, short course funding moved from the old direct grant model to CITB Employer Networks, with up to £115 available per SMSTS delegate for eligible employers.

Whether your employer can access this funding depends on their CITB registration status and regional network availability — it is worth asking your training or HR manager before booking. Envico works with CITB-approved providers across the UK, so once funding eligibility has been confirmed, you can book your course here in the normal way.

Course duration and qualification details
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Format: Classroom or online instructor-led
  • Awarding Body: CITB
  • Qualification Validity: 5 years
Training materials and publications

SMSTS delegates receive access to official CITB Site Safety Plus training materials:

  • GE700: Construction Site Safety — The Comprehensive Guide
  • XA6-V11: Construction Site Management Delegate Workbook

Materials may be provided in printed or digital format depending on the training provider.

SMSTS assessment and certification

The SMSTS is assessed through continuous tutor evaluation throughout the five days and a CITB multiple-choice examination on the final day. The exam is open book for the final 10 minutes only — written notes are not permitted before then. There is no pre-course assignment or written submission.

Delegates who pass receive a CITB SMSTS certificate:

  • Hard copy certificate: Usually issued within 6–8 weeks
  • E-certificate: Usually issued within 2–3 weeks
  • Validity: 5 years from date of award
  • Awarded by: CITB
How do I renew my SMSTS certificate?

To maintain your SMSTS qualification you must complete the SMSTS Refresher course before your current five-year certificate expires. The refresher is two days long. If the certificate lapses, the full five-day SMSTS course must be retaken rather than the shorter refresher.

SMSTS course prerequisites
  • Valid photographic ID is required
  • A good understanding of written and spoken English is necessary
  • Parental consent is required for delegates under 18

Completing the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course or SSSTS beforehand is beneficial but not a formal entry requirement.

Progression after the SMSTS course
Find SMSTS classroom courses near you

SMSTS classroom courses run at venues across the UK. Find courses in your area:

CITB SMSTS Online Instructor-Led Course

The CITB SMSTS online instructor-led course is a live virtual version of the Site Management Safety Training Scheme, delivered remotely by an accredited CITB tutor via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The course follows exactly the same CITB Site Safety Plus syllabus as classroom training and leads to the same five-year SMSTS certificate.

This is not self-paced e-learning. It is live, interactive training with a qualified tutor over five full days. Delegates can ask questions, interact with the tutor and engage with other participants in real time — the same experience as classroom training, delivered remotely.

Course Details

  • Format: Live online instructor-led training
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Awarding Body: CITB
  • Qualification Validity: 5 years
  • Platform: Zoom or Microsoft Teams
  • Equipment needed: PC or laptop with webcam, microphone and stable internet

View SMSTS Online Course Dates

What is the SMSTS online instructor-led course?

The SMSTS online course allows site managers, supervisors and construction professionals to complete CITB-approved SMSTS training remotely with a live qualified instructor. Sessions are delivered via video conferencing over five days and follow the same CITB Site Safety Plus syllabus as classroom training, leading to the same SMSTS certificate.

This is not self-paced e-learning — it is live, interactive training where delegates participate in real time, ask questions and engage with the tutor throughout, exactly as they would in a classroom setting.

What does the online SMSTS course cover?

The online course follows the official CITB Site Safety Plus syllabus and covers the same content as the classroom version:

Why choose the SMSTS online course?
  • Study remotely from home, site office or any suitable location
  • Learn from a live qualified CITB-accredited instructor in real time
  • Avoid travel, accommodation and venue-related costs
  • Complete the same CITB-approved syllabus as classroom delegates
  • Ask questions and interact with the tutor during live sessions
  • Same SMSTS certificate as classroom training — valid for five years
  • Suits busy schedules, remote workers and geographically dispersed teams
SMSTS online vs classroom — which should I choose?

Both formats lead to the same SMSTS certificate. The right choice depends on your preference, schedule and employer requirements.

Online instructor-led Classroom
Location Home, office or any location Physical venues across the UK
Instructor Live qualified tutor via video call Live tutor in classroom setting
Cost Lower — no travel or accommodation May include travel/accommodation
Certificate Same CITB SMSTS — 5 years Same CITB SMSTS — 5 years
Best for Remote workers and dispersed teams Those preferring face-to-face learning
Course requirements and exam rules
  • Photographic ID: Required for delegate verification before the course
  • Private space: You must be alone in the room during the CITB assessment
  • Camera on: You must remain visible on webcam throughout the assessment
  • Equipment: A PC or laptop with camera, microphone and stable internet — mobile phones and tablets are not suitable
  • Exam format: The assessment is open book for the final 10 minutes only — notes are not permitted before then
Can my employer claim CITB funding towards the online SMSTS?

The online instructor-led SMSTS is CITB-approved and qualifies for the same employer funding as classroom training. Construction employers registered with the CITB Levy may be able to offset part of the course cost — up to £115 per delegate — through CITB Employer Networks (the funding model that replaced direct grants from January 2026).

Whether your employer can access this depends on their CITB registration status and regional network availability. It is worth asking your training or HR manager before booking. Once funding eligibility has been confirmed, you can book your online course here in the normal way.

When are SMSTS online courses available?

SMSTS online instructor-led courses run regularly throughout the year. Joining instructions — including technology setup guidance and training materials — are provided in advance of the course start date.

View upcoming SMSTS online course dates and fees

Prefer face-to-face learning? View SMSTS classroom course locations