CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)

The CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is the UK construction industry's leading qualification for site managers, project managers, and those responsible for overseeing construction operations. This comprehensive 5-day course, accredited by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), equips delegates with the legal knowledge, risk management skills, and leadership capabilities required to run a safe and compliant construction site.

The SMSTS is a requirement for site managers working on major projects across the UK and is widely recognised by principal contractors, main contractors, and public sector clients as evidence of competent site management. It forms part of the CITB Site Safety Plus (SSP) scheme and is a prerequisite for many senior site management roles.

Available as SMSTS online (instructor-led) or in-person classroom training at venues across the UK, with on-site delivery also available for teams. Certificates are valid for 5 years and can be renewed with the 2-day SMSTS Refresher (SMSTS-R) course.

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The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

About the CITB

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the training organisation for the UK construction industry. Established in 1964, it works with construction companies to improve skills and respond to the challenges employers face. CITB courses help those in construction improve their bottom line, stay compliant and avoid litigation.

Courses are delivered by CITB Approved Training Organisations, which are audited against the scheme rules. That is why the syllabus and certificate are identical wherever you book.

CITB Levy & Grant Scheme

The CITB Levy funds industry-wide training and skills development, helping construction workers access essential qualifications and safety training.

  • Employers with a wage bill over the annual threshold typically pay the levy.
  • The amount is a percentage of total payroll.
  • Employers can claim back grant funding for approved courses.

Site Safety Plus (SSP) Scheme

The CITB Site Safety Plus (SSP) scheme is a comprehensive suite of health and safety courses for those working in construction and civil engineering, covering every level from operatives to directors:

Refresher Courses

Certificate renewal options keep teams up to date: SSSTS Refresher (SSSTS-R), SMSTS Refresher (SMSTS-R) and Temporary Works Coordinator Refresher (TWCTC-R). Certificates are typically renewed every five years.

Not sure when yours runs out? Use the free Certificate Expiry Checker.

International Recognition

The CITB SMSTS is one of the most respected site management programmes in UK construction and is increasingly recognised internationally — widely accepted in Ireland and the Crown Dependencies, and valued where UK health and safety standards are influential, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other parts of the Middle East.

Further Reading

The law behind the course

Background on the legislation SMSTS is built around: the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the CDM Regulations that set out who is responsible for what on a construction project.

Putting it into practice

How the paperwork works once you are back on site: writing risk assessments that meet your legal duty, and building a safety culture that holds when nobody is watching.

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