Top 10 Construction Certifications That Expire and When to Renew Them
How long the most common site qualifications last, how to renew each one and what happens if you let it lapse.
Most construction qualifications don’t last forever. Supervisor and manager certificates, first aid, access equipment cards and safety passports all carry an expiry date. The renewal rules differ from one scheme to the next.
Missing a renewal is rarely a small problem. In most cases an expired certificate means repeating the full course rather than a shorter refresher such as the SMSTS Refresher, plus the cost of time away from site while it’s rebooked.
This guide lists the ten construction certifications that most often catch people out, how long each lasts and how to renew it. Validity periods are those set by each scheme at the time of writing.
The Ten at a Glance
Qualification | Valid for | How to renew |
|---|---|---|
CITB SMSTS | 5 years | SMSTS Refresher before expiry |
CITB SSSTS | 5 years | SSSTS Refresher before expiry |
First Aid at Work | 3 years | First Aid at Work Refresher before expiry |
Emergency First Aid at Work | 3 years | Retake the one-day course |
IPAF PAL Card | 5 years | Retake the operator course for each category |
PASMA card | 5 years | Retake the PASMA course |
CCNSG Safety Passport | 3 years | CCNSG Renewal before expiry |
CISRS Scaffolder card | 5 years | CISRS Scaffolder CPD Refresher and HS&E test |
CPCS Blue (Competent Operator) card | 5 years | CPD Renewal, HS&E test and evidence of experience |
NRSWA | 5 years | Reassessment for each unit held |
1. CITB SMSTS
The SMSTS certificate lasts five years. Renewal is through the two-day SMSTS Refresher, which is only available while the certificate is still valid. Once it expires, the full five-day SMSTS course is needed again, which means three extra days off site for the site manager.
2. CITB SSSTS
SSSTS follows the same rule over five years. The SSSTS Refresher keeps the certificate current, but only if it’s taken before the expiry date. After that, it’s the full two-day SSSTS course. As SSSTS holders are often the supervisors running daily work, a lapse can leave a gap in site cover while they requalify.
3. First Aid at Work
A First Aid at Work certificate is valid for three years. The two-day First Aid at Work Refresher requalifies a first aider, provided it’s completed before the certificate runs out. HSE also recommends a short annual refresher to keep skills current between requalifications.
4. Emergency First Aid at Work
EFAW also lasts three years. There’s no separate refresher course, so renewal means retaking the one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course. As it’s a single day, it’s straightforward to schedule, but the same rule applies: once the certificate lapses, the person no longer counts towards the site’s first aid cover.
5. IPAF PAL Card
The IPAF Powered Access Licence (PAL Card) is valid for five years. Renewal means retaking the IPAF operator course for each category on the card, such as 3a and 3b. A lapsed card can’t be used on site, even for an experienced operator. Most hire companies and principal contractors check the card before handing over a machine.
6. PASMA
A PASMA card lasts five years. Renewal is by retaking the course, which also brings the operator up to date with any changes to tower guidance since they last trained. Many contractors ask to see a valid PASMA card before anyone builds or moves a tower on their site.
7. CCNSG Safety Passport
The CCNSG Safety Passport lasts three years. Since September 2026, renewed cards run for 39 months from the date of the renewal, so the best window to book the CCNSG Renewal is the three months before expiry. An expired card means repeating the full two-day course.
8. CISRS Scaffolder Card
CISRS scaffolder cards are valid for five years. Renewal needs a current CITB Health, Safety and Environment test plus the CISRS Scaffolder CPD Refresher, so scaffolders should plan it well ahead of the expiry date. The refresher keeps them up to date with current standards. Without it the card can’t be renewed, however many years of experience the scaffolder has. CISRS courses cover each stage of the scheme.
9. CPCS Blue Card
The CPCS Blue Competent Operator card lasts five years. Renewal needs an in-date HS&E test, the CPCS CPD Renewal for each category, and evidence of ongoing experience through a logbook, on-site assessment or practical test. The Red Trained Operator card can’t be renewed, so operators need to complete the relevant NVQ to move onto the Blue card before it expires. Starting the NVQ early matters, as it’s based on evidence gathered on site over several months. CPCS training covers both routes.
10. NRSWA
Street works qualifications under NRSWA need reassessment every five years for each unit held. Without it, operatives and supervisors drop off the register and can’t work on the highway, which can stop a utilities or highways contract in its tracks. NRSWA courses cover both initial training and reassessment.
What Happens If a Certificate Lapses
The cost of a lapsed certificate goes beyond the course fee. A supervisor without an in-date SSSTS, or an operator without a valid PAL Card, can be stopped from working on site until they requalify. On projects where the principal contractor checks cards at the gate, that can mean lost days, delayed handovers and gaps in the site team.
Refreshers are also shorter and cheaper than the full courses they replace. The SMSTS Refresher takes two days against five for the full course. The First Aid at Work Refresher is two days against three. Booking in time saves both money and days away from site.
How to Stay Ahead of Renewals
The simplest fix is one record of every certificate and card, with expiry dates, reviewed each quarter. A shared spreadsheet works for smaller teams, while larger employers often use their training or HR system to send reminders.
For refreshers that must be taken before expiry, such as SMSTS, SSSTS and First Aid at Work, book at least two months ahead, as popular dates fill quickly. For CCNSG, aim for the three months before expiry to make the most of the new 39-month card.
Key Takeaways
SMSTS, SSSTS, IPAF, PASMA, CISRS, CPCS Blue and NRSWA last five years. First Aid at Work, EFAW and CCNSG last three.
SMSTS, SSSTS and First Aid at Work refreshers are only available before the certificate expires.
A lapsed qualification usually means repeating the full course, not a shorter refresher.
Since September 2026, CCNSG renewals run for 39 months from the renewal date.
Keep one central record of expiry dates and book refreshers at least two months ahead.
Browse accredited construction training courses and refreshers at Easybook Training, or call us on 01892 543000 if you’re not sure which course to book.