About the SMSTS course
The SMSTS course offers candidates the knowledge to achieve a higher level of responsibility, so they can effectively manage and implement safety systems on construction sites. If you’re in a site managerial role or are soon to become a site manager, then the SMSTS course is ideal for you. With our five-day online SMSTS course, you’ll receive training from a CITB-qualified instructor. Whether you’re looking to enhance your expertise or advance your career, this is one of the most popular training courses for site managers and aspiring site managers. 98% of delegates would recommend our CITB courses to a friend or colleague.
After five days of engaging course content, you’ll sit an exam made up of 18 multiple-choice questions and seven, short written questions. The minimum pass mark for the exam is 81%.
What is the SMSTS course duration and cost?
The SMSTS online course lasts for five days and is delivered remotely so you can do it from the comfort of your own home. The course costs £400 + VAT (this also includes a course resit if required.) Don’t forget you can claim money back from the CITB. Want more information? Take a look at our SMSTS guide for more information on CITB Funding.
Why choose Smas Worksafe for the online SMSTS course?
We believe our SMSTS online course offering provides flexibility like no other course offeringoffeirng. You get five-year validity once the SMSTS certificate is awarded, and unlike many other SMSTS providers, we’ll allow you to resit the exam free of charge should you need to. You can even sit an SMSTS mock test as part of your preparation ahead of sitting the real test.
What are the benefits of the SMSTS course?
- Industry-recognised certificate – having an SMSTS qualification shows employers and clients that you’ve got the skills necessary to safely manage a construction site.
- Take your career to new heights – An SMSTS qualification will help you step up into a management role and give you a competitive edge over those who aren’t SMSTS accredited.
- Improve safety performance – developing your knowledge and understanding of site safety through the SMSTS course will help you maintain safe working practices.
Take any of our CITB Training courses online and benefit from the flexible nature of our course delivery – with the same level of detail as you’d get in the classroom! We also offer the SSSTS Course online and the SSSTS Refresher course for any aspiring site supervisors.
SMSTS Course Modules
Studying the Site Management Safety Training Scheme Course gives candidates an excellent overview of what it takes to become a competent site manager. Split into five modules, the SMSTS course covers the following areas:
Module One – Legal and Management
- Health & Safety law
- The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Construction Design Management (CDM)
- The Health & Safety management system
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Site inductions/site communication
Module Two – Health and Welfare
- Management of health
- Management of welfare
- Stress/mental health
- Drugs and alcohol
- Dust and fumes
- Noise and vibration
- Manual handling
Module Three – General Safety
- Site organisation
- Fire prevention and control
- Electricity
- Plant and work equipment
- Lifting operations and lifting equipment
Module Four – High-Risk Activities
- Working at height regulations
- Excavations
- Underground and overhead services
- Confined spaces
- Temporary works
Module Five – Environment
- Environmental awareness
- Pollution, waste materials and nuisance
SMSTS online course learning benefits
Upon completion of the SMSTS course, you will be able to deploy the skills and techniques learnt during the course effectively. SMSTS offers a detailed knowledge and understanding of site management including:
- Manage and implement health, safety, and environmental aspects on site
- Implement new guidance and industry best practice
- Understand your responsibilities for site health, safety, welfare, and the environment
- Identify that a safe site is efficient, economical, productive, and environmentally friendly
SMSTS course assessment
The exam is made up of 18 multiple-choice questions and seven short-written questions. The minimum pass rate for the exam is 81%. Remember, you can get ready to take your assessment with our free mock test here.
SMSTS certificate
On completion of the online training course, you’ll receive an SMSTS certificate that will show clients and employers that you have the skills required to safely manage a construction site in line with the CITB standard.
How long does an SMSTS certificate last?
An SMSTS certificate lasts for five years before it needs to be renewed.
Do you need an SMSTS Refresher course?
If you already have an SMSTS qualification but are looking to take the SMSTS refresher course, you can book one on our dedicated page here.
The SMSTS Course Requirements
If you have aspirations of being a site manager or management responsibilities then the SMSTS course is a must. Below, we have outlined the various SMSTS course requirements that all candidates undertaking the course should meet before enrolling:
- Applicants should be competent in writing, reading and understanding English to ensure that they can communicate safety instructions, orders, regulations and procedures.
- Valid ID should be provided on the first day of the course.
How many questions are there in the SMSTS exam?
The SMSTS exam paper is made up of 18 multiple-choice questions and seven, short written questions. The seven short written questions all relate to the seven Health & Safety focus areas. The pass mark for the exam is 81%.
How many days is the SMSTS course?
The SMSTS course is a five-day course. You’re required to take a two-day refresher course (SMSTS-R) after five years.
Can you do an SMSTS course online?
Yes, the course will cover the same modules as it would if it was carried out face-to-face and a CITB-qualified instructor will lead it through remote learning in a virtual classroom environment.
What happens if you fail the SMSTS?
If you fail the SMSTS exam but achieve above 72% you can be offered an immediate re-sit which you can take on the same day. However, should you fail the re-sit, you will need to take the full SMSTS course again.
Do you have a mock test I can try?
Yes, we have curated 10 sample questions in our Mock SMSTS Test which you can use for free to test your knowledge.
What is an SMSTS certificate?
When you complete our SMSTS online course you will be issued with your very own SMSTS certificate. This provides employers and clients with evidence that you have completed the course and are competent in your duties as a site manager.
How long does an SMSTS certificate last?
SMSTS certificates last for five years before you need to take a refresher course to ensure you still have the knowledge and skills needed.
Once five years have passed you’ll need to complete a two-day refresher course. More details can be found here.
*Important: Refresher courses must be completed before the original course expires, if not you’ll need to retake the full SMSTS online course.
Is SMSTS a legal requirement?
Whilst there is no legal requirement in the UK for a manager to have an SMSTS qualification. It’s a common prerequisite for construction companies when hiring a site manager. Most construction sites won’t hire a site manager or promote someone to a site manager without an SMSTS certificate.
How many questions are there in the SMSTS exam?
The SMSTS exam paper is made up of 18 multiple-choice questions and seven, short written questions. The seven short written questions all relate to the seven Health & Safety focus areas. The pass mark for the exam is 81%.
How many days is the SMSTS course?
The SMSTS course is a five-day course. You’re required to take a two-day refresher course (SMSTS-R) after five years.
Can you do an SMSTS course online?
Yes, the course will cover the same modules as it would if it was carried out face-to-face and a CITB-qualified instructor will lead it through remote learning in a virtual classroom environment.
What happens if you fail the SMSTS?
If you fail the SMSTS exam but achieved above 72% you can be offered an immediate re-sit which you can take on the same day. However, should you fail the re-sit, you will need to take the full SMSTS course again.
Do you have a mock test I can try?
Yes, we have curated 10 sample questions in our Mock SMSTS Test which you can use for free to test your knowledge.
What is an SMSTS certificate?
When you complete our SMSTS online course you will be issued with your very own SMSTS certificate. This provides employers and clients with evidence that you have completed the course and are competent in your duties as a site manager.
How long does an SMSTS certificate last?
SMSTS certificates last for five years before you need to take a refresher course to ensure you still have the knowledge and skills needed.
Once five years have passed you’ll need to complete a two-day refresher course. More details can be found here.
*Important: Refresher courses must be completed before the original course expires, if not you’ll need to retake the full SMSTS online course.
Is SMSTS a legal requirement?
Whilst there is no legal requirement in the UK for a manager to have an SMSTS qualification. It’s a common pre-requisite for construction companies when hiring a site manager. Most construction sites won’t hire a site manager or promote someone to a site manager without an SMSTS certificate.
Want a helping hand with the cost of training? Grants are provided for employers in the construction industry to train their workers, helping to maintain Health & Safety standards on construction sites.
What is the CITB Grants Scheme?
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) pays grants for the achievement of approved short-duration courses – this includes the Site Supervision Training Scheme (SSSTS) and SSSTS Refresher, Site Manager Safety Training (SMSTS) and Health & Safety Awareness (HSA) ,Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course (TWSTC) and the Temporary Works Coordinator Training Course (TWCTC).
The Grants Scheme is funded by Industry through the CITB Levy and aims to ensure these funds are invested in core construction skills to meet Industry needs. You can apply for your grant using their online form.
Who can claim this grant?
You can claim grants if you are an employer registered with CITB and send a Levy Return to CITB by 30 November each year. Small employers that don’t need to pay the levy can still claim grants.
Providing the person is working for you at the time of their training, you can apply for grants for SMSTS courses undertaken by:
- Directly employed staff
- Subcontractors