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Your SMSTS certificate is valid for five years. Here is how to keep it current without retaking the full course.
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An SMSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date you pass. To keep it valid, you take the SMSTS Refresher, a two-day course, before the expiry date.
If you let it lapse, you will normally need to book the full five-day SMSTS course again. That is three extra days away from site, so it pays to plan ahead.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Day you pass | Certificate issued, valid for five years |
| Around year 4 | Check your expiry date and plan the refresher |
| Final 6 months | Book the two-day refresher |
| After expiry | Usually retake the full five-day course |
Set a reminder now Put your expiry date in your phone calendar with a reminder six months before. Many site managers only find out their certificate has lapsed when a contractor asks for it.
The refresher updates you on law changes and good practice, and goes back over the core of the full course: CDM duties, risk management, and how to lead safety on a busy site. It ends with an exam, so treat it seriously.
Not sure SMSTS is right for you? Read who needs an SMSTS certificate or compare it with how long SSSTS lasts.
Most people lose their certificate simply because they forget when it runs out. Five years is long enough to change employer, phone and email, and the reminder gets lost.
If your certificate has already expired, contact us using the form above. We will check which course you now need and book it for you.
From the HS&E test to SMSTS and SSSTS, Coteca books CITB courses at centres across the UK and online.
See CITB coursesCall 0208 099 4324Five years from the date you pass.
Two days.
Normally no. Once it lapses you are usually asked to take the full five-day course again.
Yes. It runs as a live online course with a tutor as well as in a classroom.
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