Table of Contents
- What CITB Training Is and How Site Managers Get CITB-Approved
- Understanding CITB SMSTS Course Content and Structure
- SMSTS Course Duration and Time Commitment
- CITB SSSTS Course: An Alternative for Supervisors
- Managing Contractors During Construction and Refurbishment Projects
- How to Find and Book Your CITB Training Course
- What to Expect After Completing Your Training
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 12 October 2026
What CITB Training Is and How Site Managers Get CITB-Approved
CITB training for site managers covers health and safety responsibilities on construction and refurbishment sites. If you manage construction projects, you need to understand site safety laws and how to oversee contractors properly. Maintaining a compliant environment requires a thorough grasp of employer safety responsibilities to ensure that every individual on site remains protected throughout the project lifecycle.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the public body responsible for setting health and safety standards and improving skills across the UK construction industry. Their courses teach site managers the legal duties they must follow, how to spot hazards, and how to keep workers safe. This matters because construction and refurbishment projects happen constantly: new builds, extensions, renovations. Someone has to manage those projects safely.
Knight Training can arrange for you to complete your CITB-approved courses. Without this training, you risk breaching health and safety law, facing enforcement action, and putting staff and visitors at risk.
Course Overview
The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a CITB-approved course designed for managers and supervisors working in the construction industry.
It provides a comprehensive understanding of health and safety responsibilities, legal requirements, and best practices for managing safe working environments on site.
This course helps ensure compliance with current legislation while improving safety standards and reducing workplace risks.
The full course runs over 5 days, with a 2-day refresher course available for those renewing their certification.
Suitable for:
- Site managers
- Project managers
- Supervisors
- Business owners in construction
- Client-based personnel
The main CITB qualifications for managers are the SMSTS (Site Managers Safety Training Scheme) and SSSTS (Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme). Both are industry-recognised and required by many clients and insurers. We'll walk you through what each covers, how long they take, and how to book your course.
Understanding CITB SMSTS Course Content and Structure
The SMSTS course is the full management qualification. It runs over 5 days and covers everything a site manager needs to know about construction safety law and practice.
The course teaches you:
- Health and safety legislation that applies to construction sites
- Your legal duties as a site manager under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- How to assess risks and control hazards on site
- Managing contractors and workers safely
- Incident reporting and investigation
- Site welfare, housekeeping, and emergency procedures
- Environmental considerations on construction projects
You'll learn how to apply these principles to real construction projects, whether it's a new build, an extension or a refurbishment. You'll know exactly what contractors must do and how to check they're doing it.
The course includes practical elements. You'll work through case studies, discuss real-world problems, and learn how to make decisions under pressure. The final day includes a written assessment to confirm you've understood the material.
After completing the SMSTS course, you hold certification recognised across the construction industry.
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
Clients, insurers, and local authorities respect it. Many employers now require their site managers to hold SMSTS which is an industry-recognised health and safety qualification, before they can oversee building work.
The SMSTS is widely considered the "gold standard" safety benchmark for site leadership. Insurers and clients favour it because it demonstrates that a site manager has the specific training required to meet the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM).
While holding an SMSTS certificate is not a direct legal requirement written into UK statutory law, it is a de facto mandatory requirement set by major contractors, clients. You will find it very difficult to secure a site management role on most commercial or modern housing sites without a valid certificate.
An SMSTS certificate expires after 5 years. To keep it valid, managers must complete a two-day refresher course before their current certificate expires, otherwise they have to retake the full 5-day course.
SMSTS Course Duration and Time Commitment
The full SMSTS course duration is 5 days (Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)). Most providers, including Knight Training, run it as consecutive days. This means you commit one week to the training.
The course runs 9 am to 5 pm each day, with breaks. You'll need to arrange cover on site during that week. For small contractors, this can be difficult. Plan ahead and book your course during a quieter period if possible.
A 2-day refresher course is available if you've already completed SMSTS and need to renew your qualification (Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)). Refresher training updates you on any legal changes and keeps your knowledge current. Many employers require refresher training every few years.
If you can't commit 5 consecutive days, check with your training provider about alternatives. Some offer split schedules, though the core content remains the same. The time investment is significant, but it's a one-off investment in a qualification that lasts years.
CITB SSSTS Course: An Alternative for Supervisors
The CITB SSSTS course is a shorter option for supervisors and team leaders. It runs over 2 days instead of 5 (Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)). If you're a supervisor or team leader rather than a site manager, SSSTS may be the right choice.
SSSTS teaches the same core safety principles but in less detail. You'll cover:
- Health and safety law for supervisors
- Your duties under health and safety legislation
- Hazard spotting and control measures
- Supervising contractors and workers
- Site welfare and emergency procedures
- Incident reporting
The 2-day format works well for supervisors who can't step away for a full week. You get the qualification and knowledge you need without the time burden.
SSSTS is ideal if you're moving into a supervisory role or want to formalise your safety knowledge. It's also useful if you're part of a team where one person holds SMSTS and others hold SSSTS. Together, you cover all the bases.
A 1-day refresher is available for SSSTS holders who need to renew. This keeps your qualification current with minimal disruption.
Managing Contractors During Construction and Refurbishment Projects
When contractors work on your premises, you have legal duties to manage them safely. This is where CITB training makes a practical difference.
Your responsibilities include:
SMSTS - Site Managers Safety Training Scheme CITB →
- Checking that contractors have proper qualifications and insurance
- Making sure they understand your site's hazards and rules
- Monitoring their work to ensure they're following safe practices
- Providing welfare facilities (toilets, rest areas, drinking water)
- Keeping your staff and visitors informed and safe
- Investigating any incidents or near-misses
Before work starts, hold a site induction meeting with the contractor. Explain your site's layout, where hazards are, what your emergency procedures are, and what behaviour you expect. Get confirmation they understand.
During the work, inspect regularly. Check that they're using proper equipment, wearing safety gear, and following the method statement they provided. If something looks unsafe, stop the work and discuss it. Don't assume they know what they're doing just because they're professionals.
Keep records of inductions, inspections, and any incidents. If something goes wrong, you need to show you took reasonable steps to prevent it. This is where your CITB training evidence matters. You can demonstrate you understood your duties and acted on them.
How to Find and Book Your CITB Training Course
Finding and booking CITB training is straightforward. Start by identifying which course you need, SMSTS if you're a manager, SSSTS if you're a supervisor.
Look at course dates and locations. Most providers offer courses at multiple locations throughout the year. Choose dates that work for your business. If you need flexibility, ask whether the provider offers split schedules or online elements.
Check what's included in the price. Some providers include course materials, exam fees, and a certificate. Others charge separately. Ask about any hidden costs. The Knight Training SMSTS - Site Managers Safety Training Scheme CITB course is £275.00.
Book directly through the provider's website or by phone. Provide your details, choose your dates, and confirm payment. You'll receive a confirmation email with course details, what to bring, and any pre-course reading.
Before the course starts, review any pre-course materials the provider sends. This helps you get the most from the 5 days and shows you're serious about learning.
What to Expect After Completing Your Training
Once you complete your CITB course, you'll receive a certificate. This is your proof of qualification. Keep it safe, you'll need to show it to employers, clients, or insurance companies.
Your qualification is valid for a set period. Check with your training provider what that period is. When it's getting close to expiry, book a refresher course to keep your qualification current. Refresher training is shorter and cheaper than the full course.
After training, you'll apply your knowledge immediately. You'll spot hazards you might have missed before. You'll understand contractor responsibilities better. You'll make safer decisions about site management.
Many construction companies use CITB qualifications as a requirement for promotion or pay progression. Having SMSTS or SSSTS on your CV shows you're serious about professional development. It opens doors to better roles.
The knowledge lasts beyond the certificate. You'll develop a safety mindset. You'll think about risks differently. You'll lead by example, showing your team that safety matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CITB course is most suitable for a site manager?
The CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is the primary qualification for site managers overseeing construction or refurbishment projects. This 5-day course covers health and safety responsibilities, legal requirements and best practices for managing safe working environments. If you're in a supervisory role rather than a management position, the CITB SSSTS (Site Supervisors' Safety Training Scheme) may be more appropriate. Both courses are designed to ensure compliance with current legislation and reduce workplace risks.
How long does CITB SMSTS training take to complete?
The full CITB SMSTS course runs over 5 days. If you already hold a current SMSTS certificate and need to renew it, a 2-day refresher course is available. The training is delivered at multiple locations, and you can contact Knight Training on 0330 999 3199 to check upcoming dates and book your place. The 5-day commitment allows comprehensive coverage of all health and safety management responsibilities.
Does CITB training cover managing contractors and site safety during refurbishments?
Yes. The CITB SMSTS course explicitly covers contractor management and site safety protocols. As a site manager overseeing refurbishment projects, you'll learn how to identify hazards, implement control measures, manage contractors effectively and ensure compliance on site. This practical knowledge is essential when coordinating construction work on site, where safety standards and legal compliance are critical.
What's the difference between SMSTS and SSSTS courses?
The SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is a 5-day course for managers and project leaders with responsibility for health and safety on site. The SSSTS (Site Supervisors' Safety Training Scheme) is a 2-day course for supervisors and team leaders who support site managers. Choose SMSTS if you're in a management role overseeing overall site safety; choose SSSTS if you're supervising a team or moving into a supervisory position. Both are CITB-approved and recognised across the construction industry.
Health and safety compliance doesn't have to be overwhelming. CITB training gives you the knowledge and confidence to manage contractors safely and protect your site. At Knight Training, we've helped hundreds of construction professionals complete their qualifications. Our team guides you through the course, answers your questions, and supports your success. Get started with Knight Training and gain the CITB qualification that keeps your business safe.