Certification
CSCS, SMSTS, SSSTS: which card do you need?
The site cards and safety certificates UK employers ask for, and the order to get them in.
Updated 12 Jun 2026 · 4 min read
Most UK sites will not let you through the gate without a card. Which one depends on what you do once you are inside.
The cards
- CSCS — proves your role and qualifications. Nearly universal; get this first.
- SSSTS — Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme. For supervisors; two days.
- SMSTS — Site Management Safety Training Scheme. For managers; five days, renewed every five years.
Who pays
Employers routinely fund SMSTS and SSSTS for staff already in post, and increasingly fund CSCS for new starters. It is a fair thing to ask about at offer stage rather than assuming you will cover it.