NYC SST Card Renewal: When to Renew and How to Do It

Your SST card doesn’t last forever. Under NYC Local Law 196, SST cards expire 5 years from your course completion date. When that date passes, your card is no longer valid on NYC DOB-covered construction sites.

When Does Your SST Card Expire?

Your expiration date is 5 years from the date you completed your initial training. That date is printed on your card and in your NYC DOB records.

Don’t wait until you’re on a job site to find out your card expired. DOB inspectors check cards. Expired = same as no card.

What Happens If It Expires?

• DOB inspector or site safety manager finds your card is expired
• You get removed from the site — immediately
• You can’t return until renewal is complete and new card is processed
• Your employer may face a violation

Which Renewal Course Do You Need?

Workers: 8-Hour SST Worker Renewal

• Who: 10-Hour Worker SST card holders
• Hours: 8 hours
• Result: New SST card, valid 5 more years
• Format: Online, self-paced

Supervisors: 16-Hour SST Supervisor Renewal

• Who: 32-Hour Supervisor SST card holders
• Hours: 16 hours
• Result: New SST card, valid 5 more years
• Format: Online, self-paced

When to Start: The 90-Day Rule

Start 90 days before your expiration date.

• The course takes time to complete (8 or 16 hours of content)
• Card processing and delivery takes additional time
• If something goes wrong, you need buffer

If you’re already within 30 days, start today.

Step by Step

Step 1: Check Your Expiration Date

Find it on your card or through DOB’s BIS Web portal. Set a calendar reminder 90 days out.

Step 2: Enroll in the Correct Renewal Course

SST.NYC offers both worker and supervisor renewal courses online, in English and Spanish.

Step 3: Complete the Course

Self-paced. 8-Hour renewal = one long session or two shorter ones. 16-Hour = two to four days.

Step 4: Receive Your New Card

New expiration = 5 years from renewal completion date (not from old card’s expiration).

Cost of Renewal

• 8-Hour Worker Renewal: $99–$199
• 16-Hour Supervisor Renewal: $199–$399

Compare that to missing a week of work while you rush through renewal after getting pulled off a site.

Spanish Renewal Courses

SST.NYC offers both the 8-Hour Worker Renewal and 16-Hour Supervisor Renewal in Spanish at sst.nyc/all-courses.

Tips for Staying Compliant

• Track your expiration date — add it to your phone with 90/60/30 day alerts
• Don’t assume your employer is tracking it for you
• Keep a photo of your card
• You can renew early — your new 5-year clock starts from renewal completion

FAQ

Can I renew early?

Yes. Your new 5-year period starts from renewal completion date. Renewing 90 days early effectively gives you 5 years and 90 days.

My card expired last month. Can I still renew?

Yes, but you can’t work on covered sites until your new card is in hand. Start immediately.

Do I need to retake the full initial course?

No. Workers take the shorter 8-Hour renewal, not the full 10-Hour. Supervisors take 16-Hour, not 32-Hour.

Are renewal courses available in Spanish?

Yes. SST.NYC offers both renewal courses in Spanish.