An SMSTS certificate is normally valid for five years. If you want to maintain your certification through the shorter refresher route, you need to complete the SMSTS Refresher before the existing certificate expires.
Can you take SMSTS Refresher after the certificate has expired?
Under the current CITB Site Safety Plus scheme rules, refresher delegates must hold an in-date certificate. The current SMSTS Refresher appendix states that failure to attend the refresher before expiry requires the delegate to re-enter the scheme by completing the full SMSTS course if they wish to remain certificated.
How long is SMSTS Refresher?
The refresher course is two days / 15 hours. SiteCourses currently lists remote refresher availability on Thursday–Friday and Saturday–Sunday, with an advertised price of £285 £342 incl. VAT.
View upcoming SMSTS Refresher dates →
What if you have already missed the expiry date?
If your SMSTS certificate is no longer valid, the current scheme rules require the full course rather than the refresher route. The full SMSTS is five days / 37.5 hours. SiteCourses currently lists remote Monday–Friday courses at £399 £478.80 incl. VAT.
How can you check your certificate?
CITB provides an online card/training-record checker. A training provider can also use the relevant CITB systems to establish whether a delegate holds a current certificate where evidence is unavailable. Check early rather than waiting until the final week before expiry, because course availability still needs to be confirmed.
Does the refresher give you another five years?
Yes. CITB's published SMSTS Refresher information says successful completion renews Site Safety Plus certification, which is valid for five years.
Official reference: CITB SMSTS Refresher and current Site Safety Plus scheme rules.