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Your SMSTS certificate doesn’t last forever. If you want to stay qualified and avoid costly delays, it’s important to know when it expires and what to do next. In this guide, we’ll explain how long the certificate lasts, why renewal matters, and how to stay compliant.
If you manage construction sites or plan to move into a management role, the SMSTS certificate is a must. This course is designed for site managers responsible for planning, organising and monitoring teams.
It’s recognised as the industry standard for proving your understanding of health and safety on site. Every site carries risk, and poor management can put lives in danger.
We help you understand your legal responsibilities and give you the tools to manage those risks effectively. With the right knowledge, you can create a safety-first culture that protects your team and your business.
Completing the SMSTS course shows that you can manage health and safety with confidence and competence.
It proves that you understand current legislation and know how to apply it on site. Employers and contractors recognise the SMSTS certificate as proof of best practice in site management.
The course is accredited by CITB and endorsed by BuildUK, making it one of the most respected qualifications in the industry.
Whether you’re stepping into a management role or building on your experience, the SMSTS gives you the credibility to lead safely.
Your SMSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date you complete the course. After five years, the certificate expires automatically unless you renew it. This means you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to keep your qualification up to date.
Health and safety laws don’t stay the same forever. Over time, new regulations come in, risks change, and best practice evolves.
As a site manager, you need to stay on top of these developments to manage safely and legally. That’s why your SMSTS certificate has a five-year expiry. It ensures your knowledge remains current and relevant.
To renew your certificate, you need to complete the SMSTS Refresher course within five years of your original certificate. We run this as a two-day course that brings your knowledge up to date and reviews key legislation, responsibilities and best practice.
It’s far quicker and more cost-effective than taking the full five-day course again. We offer flexible options including online, classroom and in-house delivery, so you can pick what works best for your schedule.
Learn more about our SMSTS Refresher course.
We recommend booking your refresher well before your five-year expiry date. Leaving it too late means you’ll have to retake the full SMSTS course from scratch.
If you’re working in a busy site management role, it’s best to plan ahead. We run SMSTS Refresher courses regularly across the UK, so it’s easy to find a date and location that suits you.
If your SMSTS certificate expires, you can’t simply take the refresher course. There is no official grace period once your five years are up.
To stay certified, you must complete the SMSTS Refresher course before your certificate expires.
If you miss the deadline, you’ll need to retake the full five-day course again. That means more time away from work, added costs, and a longer commitment.
In rare cases, CITB may allow a short extension, but this isn’t guaranteed. You would need to contact them directly and explain your situation. We always recommend renewing early to avoid the risk.
Once your certificate lapses, you can’t manage a site legally under current CITB guidance. You’ll have to retake the full SMSTS course, which takes more time and costs more than the refresher.
This could also lead to missed work or delays on site while you regain your qualification. If you’re responsible for health and safety on a project, being uncertified puts your team and business at risk.
If you’ve lost your SMSTS certificate, you can check your details online using the CITB Card Checker. You’ll need basic information such as your name and National Insurance number to search.
If you’re still unsure, we can help. Just contact us at 3B, or reach out to CITB directly, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
We suggest setting a calendar reminder a few months before your certificate expires. It’s also a good idea to keep a digital copy saved somewhere secure and easy to access.
If you’re an employer, we recommend tracking certificate expiry dates for your team. This helps avoid last-minute panic and keeps your business compliant.
At 3B, we offer the SMSTS Refresher course in three flexible formats: online, classroom, and in-house. Each option covers the same content and leads to the same CITB-accredited certificate. The format you choose depends on your role, schedule, and how you prefer to learn.
If you’re short on time or based remotely, our online refresher is a great fit. You can join from any location, using a computer with internet access, webcam, and microphone. It’s a popular choice for busy site managers who want to avoid travel.
For those who prefer face-to-face learning, our classroom courses run regularly at venues across the UK. These courses provide a traditional training environment with direct interaction.
If you’re training multiple team members at once, our in-house option may be more practical. We can deliver the refresher at your site or online, tailored to your business needs.
No matter the format, the course structure, assessment and certificate remain the same. Learn more about our SMSTS Refresher course here.
As a site manager, you hold a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. That includes keeping your knowledge of legislation and best practice up to date.
Most construction sites now expect managers to hold a valid SMSTS certificate. Many principal contractors won’t allow you to operate without it.
Staying certified helps you meet client expectations, pass audits, and avoid compliance issues. Letting your certificate lapse can affect your ability to work and may even lead to legal consequences.
The SMSTS Refresher isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It’s your chance to refresh the skills you use to lead safely and responsibly.
When you stay up to date, your team takes safety more seriously too. You’ll have the tools to manage hazards, reduce risks, and create a safer environment for everyone on site.
By renewing your certificate on time, you show your commitment to high standards—something every site needs.
Your SMSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date you complete the course.
No, not directly. Once it expires, you must retake the full five-day SMSTS course. In some cases, CITB may offer a short extension, but this isn’t guaranteed.
No. CITB does not offer a formal grace period. We always recommend booking your refresher before your certificate runs out.
You need to complete the two-day SMSTS Refresher course with an approved provider like us. We’ll help you update your knowledge and stay compliant.
You can use the CITB online card checker to confirm your details, including the expiry date. You’ll need basic information such as your name and National Insurance number.
Not necessarily. You don’t need to hold the title of Site Manager, but you should work in a relevant role. You must also have a valid, in-date SMSTS certificate to qualify.
We offer online, classroom, and in-house options. Each format covers the same content, so it depends on your location, schedule and preference.
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