SMSTS exam guide
How the Site Management Safety Training Scheme exam works, taken from CITB's published scheme documents (checked 11 November 2026).
- Paper
- 25 questions, 32 marks
- Time
- 35 minutes
- Pass rule
- 26 of 32 marks
The course
5 days, minimum 37.5 hours.
The exam paper
25 questions, 32 marks, 35 minutes: 18 multiple choice (1 mark each) and 7 multi-response or short written questions (2 marks each).
Books and notes
Closed book for the first 20 minutes, then the permitted publications for the last 15 minutes.
Pass mark
81% (26 out of 32).
If you do not pass
23 to 25 marks allows one re-sit, within 30 days, if the trainer review and core exercises are passed.
Syllabus
Legal and management
- Health and safety law
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
- CDM Regulations
- Health and safety management systems
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Induction and training
- Effective communication
- Leadership and worker engagement
- Inspection and audit
- Statutory forms, notices and registers
- Accident prevention, control, reporting and investigation
Health and welfare
- Management of health
- Welfare facilities
- Stress and mental health at work
- Drugs and alcohol
- Control of substances hazardous to health
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Dust and fumes
- Noise
- Vibration
- Manual handling
General safety
- Site organisation
- Fire prevention and control, and dangerous substances
- Electrical safety
- Temporary works
- Work equipment and hand-held tools
- Mobile work equipment
- Lifting operations and equipment
- Mobile workforce and driver safety
High risk activities
- Work at Height Regulations
- Working at height
- Common access equipment
- Scaffolding
- Fall arrest and suspension equipment
- Excavations
- Underground and overhead services
- Confined spaces
How long does the certificate last?
CITB's scheme documents do not state the validity period. Most training providers say SMSTS certificates last five years, and that you must take the refresher before yours expires. Check the date on your own card and ask your training provider or CITB.
Source: CITB Appendix G: SMSTS (v03.04, February 2026). Rules can change, so always confirm with your training provider.
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SMSTS exam questions answered
What is the SMSTS pass mark?
81% (26 out of 32). The paper has 25 questions in 35 minutes, worth 32 marks, with 26 needed to pass.
Can I re-sit the SMSTS exam if I fail?
23 to 25 marks allows one re-sit, within 30 days, if the trainer review and core exercises are passed. Always confirm the detail with your training provider.
Can I use books in the SMSTS exam?
Closed book for the first 20 minutes, then the permitted publications for the last 15 minutes.
How long is the SMSTS course?
5 days, minimum 37.5 hours.
Where can I practise the SMSTS exam format?
Our free timed SMSTS paper follows the same layout and pass rules, with a score by module. Full access adds the whole question bank and explanations (30 days full access, 30 days).