Completing your SMSTS, SSSTS or refresher course is an important milestone. Your official certificate follows a separate administration process, so knowing who handles each step can help you plan for an employer's deadline.
Who issues the certificate?
CITB awards Site Safety Plus certificates to delegates who successfully complete all required assessment elements. CITB sends them to the approved training provider, which is responsible for passing each certificate to the correct learner.
SiteCourses arranges bookings with CITB-approved training providers. Your official SSP certificate is a CITB certificate; SiteCourses handles booking support and can help you follow up with the delivering provider.
How long does it take after the course?
CITB's September 2026 scheme rules require providers to submit course results and learner information within ten working days of the final course day. This is the submission deadline, not a promise that your certificate will arrive within ten working days.
Receipt depends on the provider submitting complete information, CITB processing the results and the provider distributing the certificate. The published scheme rules do not give a universal learner delivery deadline. Ask us for the expected turnaround for your specific booking, especially if an employer needs proof by a particular date.
What can delay it?
Incorrect or missing learner details can delay processing. Check your name, contact details and any requested registration information carefully. If a re-sit or further assessment is needed, ask the provider how this affects your completion and certification dates.
Before the course ends, confirm how your certificate will be supplied and which contact details will be used. Keep your booking reference and joining instructions so a later enquiry can be matched to the correct course.
How long is it valid?
SMSTS, SSSTS and their refresher certificates are valid for five years. Take the appropriate refresher before expiry to maintain certification. Check the expiry shown on your own certificate rather than calculating it from the day it reaches your inbox.
If your employer needs evidence urgently
Contact hello@sitecourses.co.uk with your name, course, dates and booking reference. We can ask the provider for a status update and whether interim confirmation is available. Your employer must decide whether any interim evidence meets its requirements.
Checking or replacing a certificate
Use CITB's training results checker where appropriate. For a lost or damaged certificate, consult CITB delegate support.
See our SMSTS Refresher and SSSTS Refresher pages for renewal routes. These SSP arrangements are separate from the ProQual Level 1 Green Card qualification and construction NVQs.
Source: CITB Site Safety Plus scheme rules, checked 29 September 2026.