CITB SSSTS Courses

The CITB SSSTS is the two-day Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme certificate, written for anyone who directs the work of others on a construction site. It is the qualification principal contractors most often specify for supervisory roles, and it is recognised UK-wide for five years.

Duration2 days15 hours of attendance under the CITB scheme rules

Certificate5 yearsRenewed by the 1-day SSSTS Refresher before it expires

Entry requirementsNone formallyYou should hold, or be about to hold, a supervisory role

Examination30 minutes25 questions, including four that must be answered correctly

Who the course is for

This course suits you if

You are a site supervisor, foreman, gang leader or team leader
You are about to take on responsibility for directing other people's work
A principal contractor has specified SSSTS by name for your role
You have completed Health and Safety Awareness and are moving up a level

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements
You should hold, or be about to hold, the role of site supervisor
Previous health and safety knowledge is recommended but not required
Written and spoken English at the level needed to supervise on site

What the SSSTS course covers

The syllabus is set by CITB, so the content is the same whichever approved provider you book with. What differs is the venue, the format and the price, which is what this page lets you compare.

Health and safety legislation and the supervisor's legal responsibilities
How the CDM Regulations support health and safety on site
Developing, maintaining and monitoring a health and safety management system
Writing and using risk assessments and method statements
Carrying out statutory inspections and site checks
Site inductions, toolbox talks and briefing a working team
Reporting accidents, injuries and ill health in construction
Leadership, worker engagement and protecting workforce health and welfare

Course structure and attendance

This is a two-day course requiring 15 hours of attendance. The days must be taken in order, and where they are not consecutive the course has to be completed within two weeks. Partial attendance does not lead to a certificate, so arriving late or leaving early can cost you the course.

Assessment and certification

Assessment is by a trainer review across the two days plus a written examination at the end. The examination lasts 30 minutes and consists of 25 questions, made up of 22 multiple-choice and three short written answers. Four safety-critical questions appear at the start of the paper and must be answered correctly regardless of your overall mark, and the pass mark is 80%. Delegates may refer to the CITB Construction Site Supervision publication for the final ten minutes. Successful delegates receive a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate valid for five years.

Renewing your certificate

Your SSSTS runs five years from the date you pass. It is renewed by the one-day SSSTS Refresher, which must be completed before the expiry date. There is no grace period: let it lapse and you return to this full two-day course, and the CITB scheme rules state that this is not subject to appeal. Check your expiry date and diarise it the day you pass.

How you can take it

Classroom

Two days at a training centre, usually consecutive. The most widely available format and the one most often booked for groups.

Live online

The same CITB certificate, delivered by a tutor in a virtual classroom. You will need a quiet room, a webcam and a stable connection throughout.

On site for groups

Delivered at your own premises where you have enough supervisors to fill a course, removing travel and downtime.

Common questions

How long is the SSSTS course?

Two days, totalling 15 hours of attendance under the CITB scheme rules. The days must be taken in order, and where a provider does not run them consecutively the course still has to be completed within two weeks.

What is the SSSTS exam like?

A 30-minute paper of 25 questions: 22 multiple choice and three short written answers. Four safety-critical questions sit at the start and must be answered correctly whatever your overall score, and the pass mark is 80%. There is also a trainer review across the two days, which you need to pass as well. You may refer to the CITB Construction Site Supervision publication during the final ten minutes.

How long does an SSSTS certificate last?

Five years from the date you pass, renewed by the one-day SSSTS Refresher before it expires. If it lapses, the refresher is no longer available and you take this full two-day course again, which the CITB scheme rules confirm is not subject to appeal.

Is the online SSSTS the same qualification?

Yes. A live, tutor-led online course leads to exactly the same CITB Site Safety Plus certificate as the classroom version. It is not self-paced e-learning, and the examination is invigilated, so you will need a private room and your camera on throughout.

Do I need to bring anything to the course?

Photographic identification is required at registration. Without it, attendance can be refused on the day.

Does SSSTS get me a CSCS card?

No. SSSTS is a site safety certificate, while CSCS cards are based on vocational qualifications such as an NVQ plus a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test pass. The two are separate and holding one does not satisfy the other.

Compare SSSTS dates and venues below

Envico lists scheduled SSSTS dates from CITB-approved providers across the UK, so you can compare venues, formats and prices in one place rather than ringing round. Not sure which course your role needs? Try our free Site Safety Plus course finder, or browse all CITB Site Safety Plus courses.

SSSTS Courses by Location

Find a CITB SSSTS classroom course near you, with accredited providers across the UK.

SSSTS Online (Instructor-led) 22 courses

Berkshire (SSSTS) 2 courses

Buckinghamshire (SSSTS) 1 course

Cambridgeshire (SSSTS) 1 course

Cheshire (SSSTS) 4 courses

Cornwall (SSSTS) 1 course

County Durham (SSSTS) 2 courses

Derbyshire (SSSTS) 3 courses

Devon (SSSTS) 3 courses

East Yorkshire (SSSTS) 2 courses

Essex (SSSTS) 4 courses

Gloucestershire (SSSTS) 5 courses

Greater Manchester (SSSTS) 6 courses

Hampshire (SSSTS) 4 courses

Kent (SSSTS) 3 courses

Lancashire (SSSTS) 4 courses

Leicestershire (SSSTS) 2 courses

London (SSSTS) 3 courses

Merseyside (SSSTS) 4 courses

Norfolk (SSSTS) 1 course

Nottinghamshire (SSSTS) 4 courses

Scotland (SSSTS) 2 courses

Shropshire (SSSTS) 1 course

Somerset (SSSTS) 2 courses

South Yorkshire (SSSTS) 6 courses

Staffordshire (SSSTS) 3 courses

Suffolk (SSSTS) 2 courses

Surrey (SSSTS) 1 course

Tyne & Wear (SSSTS) 2 courses

West Midlands (SSSTS) 3 courses

West Sussex (SSSTS) 2 courses

West Yorkshire (SSSTS) 3 courses

Wiltshire (SSSTS) 1 course

SSSTS vs SMSTS — Which Do You Need?

The two best-known CITB Site Safety Plus courses suit different roles. Choosing the right one depends on your level of responsibility on site:

SSSTS — a two-day course for supervisors, foremen and team leaders responsible for overseeing a team or work area.
SMSTS — a five-day course for site managers with overall responsibility for managing a site.

SSSTS is not a prerequisite for SMSTS, so you can go straight to the five-day course if that is what your role requires. CITB does recommend SSSTS first for anyone without previous health and safety management experience. Many supervisors take SSSTS and progress to SMSTS as they move into site management.

Still unsure? Our free Site Safety Plus course finder matches your duties on site to the right course in three questions.

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 stay compliant, improve standards and avoid litigation.

Courses are delivered by CITB Approved Training Organisations, which are audited against the scheme rules. That is why the syllabus and the 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:

Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) — one day, entry-level, preparing for the CSCS Green Labourer Card.
Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) — two days, for site supervisors.
Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) — five days, for site managers.
Director's Role for Health and Safety — for directors and senior managers.
Site Environmental Awareness (SEATS) — for environmental duties on site.
Temporary Works Coordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor — for temporary works (BS 5975).

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 SSSTS is one of the most respected site supervision 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.

Country/region