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SMSTS Refresher: When It Is Due and What Happens If You Miss It
How long an SMSTS certificate lasts, when to book the refresher, and the real cost of letting it lapse.
The CITB SMSTS certificate is one of the most requested qualifications on UK construction sites. Principal contractors ask for it before a site manager starts work, and many clients check it at tender stage. But it doesn’t last forever.
The short answer: an SMSTS certificate is valid for five years. It can only be renewed through the two-day SMSTS Refresher while it’s still in date. Miss the expiry date, even by a day, and the only route back is the full five-day course.
This guide covers when the refresher is due, what it involves, how to book it in time, and what happens if the date slips.
How Long Does an SMSTS Certificate Last?
An SMSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date it’s awarded. The expiry date is printed on the certificate and can be checked online through CITB. Passing the SMSTS Refresher resets the clock, with a new certificate valid for another five years.
SMSTS vs SMSTS Refresher at a Glance
SMSTS (full course) | SMSTS Refresher | |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 5 days | 2 days |
Who it’s for | New site managers and those whose certificate has expired | Holders of an in-date SMSTS certificate |
Assessment | Assessment throughout and at the end | Assessment at the end |
Certificate | CITB certificate, valid 5 years | New CITB certificate, valid 5 years |
Delivery | Classroom or online SMSTS course | Classroom or online SMSTS Refresher |
How to Check Your Expiry Date
The expiry date is printed on the SMSTS certificate. If the certificate has been lost, the training provider or CITB can confirm the date. CITB’s online certificate checker lets employers verify a site manager’s qualification before they start on a project. It’s worth checking early, as a few weeks can make the difference between a two-day refresher and a five-day course.
When Should You Book the Refresher?
The refresher can be taken at any point before the certificate expires. In practice, the best time to book is three to six months before the expiry date. That leaves room to find a date that fits around project deadlines, and a fallback if the first date is cancelled or the candidate falls ill.
Leaving it to the last few weeks is where most problems start. Refresher dates fill quickly, especially in spring and autumn, and a single missed course can push the renewal past the deadline.
What Happens If Your SMSTS Expires?
Once the certificate expires, the refresher is no longer an option. The site manager has to complete the full five-day SMSTS course again. This means three extra days off site and a higher course fee.
There’s also the time between expiry and requalifying. Many principal contractors won’t accept a site manager without an in-date SMSTS. A lapsed certificate can mean being stood down from a project or a gap in site cover until the full course is complete.
What the SMSTS Refresher Covers
The refresher updates site managers on changes to health and safety law, industry guidance and best practice since they last trained. Topics typically include:
Updates to legislation and CDM duties
Risk assessments and method statements
Managing site safety, health and welfare
Environmental responsibilities and sustainability
Leadership and communication on site
It’s also a chance to compare notes with other site managers on what’s working on their projects, which many delegates find as useful as the formal content.
Classroom or Online?
The online SMSTS Refresher is delivered live by a tutor over video, with the same CITB certificate as the classroom course. It suits site managers who are short on travel time or based far from a training venue. The classroom version suits those who prefer face-to-face discussion with other delegates.
Staying Ahead of the Deadline
The simplest fix is one record of every site manager’s SMSTS expiry date, reviewed every quarter. The same applies to supervisors, whose SSSTS certificates also last five years and are renewed through the SSSTS Refresher.
Employers registered with CITB may be able to claim grant funding towards approved short courses. Eligibility changes, so it’s worth checking CITB’s current short course grant list before booking.
Key Takeaways
An SMSTS certificate is valid for five years.
The two-day SMSTS Refresher must be completed before the certificate expires.
An expired certificate means repeating the full five-day SMSTS course.
Book the refresher three to six months before expiry to secure a date.
The refresher is available in the classroom or live online, with the same CITB certificate.
Book your CITB SMSTS Refresher or the online SMSTS Refresher at Easybook Training, or call us on 01892 543000 if you’re not sure when yours is due.