The simplest distinction is the job role. SMSTS is aimed at people who hold, or are preparing to hold, site-management responsibilities. SSSTS is aimed at people who hold, or are preparing to hold, site-supervisory responsibilities.
SMSTS at a glance
The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is a five-day course. Under the current CITB Site Safety Plus rules, delegates must complete a minimum of 37.5 hours. CITB says there are no formal entry requirements, although delegates should hold or be about to hold a site-manager role and previous health-and-safety knowledge is recommended.
SMSTS can be delivered in a classroom or by remote delivery. Successful certification is valid for five years. The current SiteCourses advertised price for remote SMSTS is £399 £478.80 incl. VAT.
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SSSTS at a glance
The Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme is a two-day course requiring 15 hours of attendance under the current scheme rules. It is designed for people who have, or are about to acquire, supervisory responsibilities.
CITB also permits remote delivery of SSSTS. Successful certification is valid for five years. The current SiteCourses advertised price is £199 £238.80 incl. VAT, with Thursday–Friday and Saturday–Sunday availability currently listed.
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Which one matches your role?
If your role is primarily supervising operatives and day-to-day site activity, SSSTS is the course specifically designed around supervisory responsibilities. If you are responsible for planning, organising, monitoring and administering site activities at management level, SMSTS is designed for that level of responsibility.
The correct course should be based on your actual or intended job responsibilities rather than simply choosing the longer qualification. If an employer, principal contractor or client has specified one of the courses, check that requirement before booking.
Do SMSTS or SSSTS give you a CSCS card?
No. CSCS states that SMSTS and SSSTS are not accepted as the occupational qualification for its Supervisor or Manager cards. Those cards require the relevant construction NVQ/SVQ or other accepted qualification together with the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.
What happens after five years?
Both certifications have refresher routes. An in-date SMSTS certificate can be renewed through SMSTS Refresher, while an in-date SSSTS certificate can be renewed through SSSTS Refresher. Current CITB scheme rules require an in-date certificate for refresher eligibility.
Official references: CITB SMSTS, CITB SSSTS, and CSCS Supervisors and Managers.