What Is NYC Local Law 196?
Local Law 196 of 2017 established additional Site Safety Training requirements for construction and demolition personnel working on certain New York City jobsites.
The requirements apply to covered jobsites that require a Site Safety Plan and a designated Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator, or Site Safety Manager.
At these sites, workers must be able to present an SST card showing at least 40 hours of Department-defined safety training. Supervisors and designated competent persons must be able to present a Supervisor SST card showing at least 62 hours of required training.
The original Local Law 196 training requirements were phased in over several years and are now fully implemented. Workers and supervisors on covered jobsites must maintain the appropriate valid SST credential to work.
Who Needs an NYC SST Card?
Construction and demolition personnel working on NYC jobsites that require a Site Safety Professional generally must hold a valid Site Safety Training card. Not every person who enters a construction site needs one.
SST Training Required
On a covered jobsite, NYC DOB identifies the following construction personnel as requiring an SST card:
- Construction Workers
- Demolition Workers
- Construction Superintendents
- Site Safety Coordinators
- Site Safety Managers
- Concrete Safety Managers
- Competent Persons
- Journeypersons
- Forepersons
- Employees of DOB Licensees or Registrants
Designated Site Safety Professionals require a valid Supervisor SST Card. Other construction personnel on a covered jobsite generally require the standard Worker SST Card.
SST Card Generally Not Required
If they are not serving as a designated Site Safety Professional, DOB identifies these roles as generally not requiring an SST card:
- Building Site Owners
- Project Managers
- Professional Engineers
- Registered Architects
- Developers
- Delivery Persons
- Flag Persons
- Non-Working General Contractors
- Concrete Inspectors
- Filing Representatives
- Security Officers
- Special Inspectors
- Service Technicians
- Consultants
A person designated as a Site Safety Professional must hold the appropriate Supervisor SST Card even if their normal job title would not otherwise require an SST card.
Not Sure Whether Your Jobsite Requires SST?
NYC DOB provides a Site Safety Construction Map where you can enter the jobsite address and check whether Site Safety Training requirements apply.
Contractors and subcontractors: SST requirements depend on the jobsite and the work being performed — not the size of the employer. Construction personnel on a covered site must meet the applicable SST requirements whether they work for the general contractor or a subcontractor.
What NYC SST Training Do I Need?
Your required training depends on whether you need a Worker SST Card or a Supervisor SST Card and what qualifying training you already have.
I Need a Worker SST Card
Workers on covered jobsites generally need 40 hours of qualifying training.
I Need a Supervisor SST Card
Supervisors and designated competent persons generally need 62 hours of qualifying training.
New to NYC Construction?
Eligible workers with qualifying OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 may obtain a Temporary SST Card valid for six months while completing the remaining Worker SST training.
Already Have an SST Card?
Worker and Supervisor SST cards require refresher training for renewal. Current 2026 renewal rules include a one-year grace period after expiration, but an expired card cannot be used on a covered jobsite.
Important: SST eligibility depends on the age, type and verification of prior training and credentials. If you are unsure which package applies to you, review your OSHA and SST documentation before enrolling.
Important 2026 Changes to NYC Site Safety Training
Local Law 196 remains the foundation of NYC Site Safety Training, but Local Law 10 of 2026 introduced important changes to SST courses, card renewals and qualifying training.
Mental Health Awareness Replaced Drug & Alcohol Awareness
NYC DOB introduced the 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness course (SST-308) as part of the updated SST program.
- Mental health and wellness
- Suicide risk and prevention
- Alcohol misuse
- Substance misuse in construction
One-Year Grace Period for SST Card Renewal
SST cards that expire on or after May 3, 2026 may be renewed for up to one year after the card's expiration date.
During the grace period, the cardholder may complete the required refresher training and apply for renewal without having to start the new-card process.
40-Hour Site Safety Added as an OSHA 30 Equivalent
Effective May 3, 2026, NYC DOB recognizes qualifying 40-Hour Site Safety training as equivalent to OSHA 30 for credit toward a new SST card issuance.
The 40-Hour Site Safety course is subject to the same five-year lookback used for OSHA 30 when it is applied toward a new SST card.
Want to Review the Official NYC DOB Guidance?
NYC DOB publishes current Local Law 10 guidance, SST requirements and renewal information on its official website.
SST Card Validity & Renewal
Standard NYC Worker and Supervisor SST cards are valid for five years from the date of issuance. Refresher training is required to renew the card and continue working on covered jobsites.
Worker SST Card Renewal
Existing Worker SST cardholders need 8 hours of DOB-approved refresher training to renew their Worker SST Card.
- 4-Hour Fall Prevention
- 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User & Refresher
- 4-Hour Fall Prevention
- 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness
- 2-Hour Tool Box Talks or 2-Hour Pre-Task Meeting
Supervisor SST Card Renewal
Existing Supervisor SST cardholders need 16 hours of DOB-approved refresher training to renew their Supervisor SST Card.
- 8-Hour Fall Prevention
- 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User & Refresher
- 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness
- 2-Hour Tool Box Talks or 2-Hour Pre-Task Meeting
- Option 2: 8-Hour Fall Prevention + 8-Hour Site Safety
- Option 3: 8-Hour Site Safety + 4-Hour Fall Prevention + Mental Health + Toolbox/Pre-Task
What If My SST Card Has Already Expired?
If your SST card expires on or after May 3, 2026, you have up to one year after the expiration date to complete the required refresher training and renew the card.
You cannot work on a covered jobsite using an expired SST card during the grace period. The card remains expired until the renewal is completed.
If you do not renew before the one-year grace period ends, you must apply for a new SST card rather than a renewal.
Is OSHA 30 the Same as an SST Card?
No. OSHA 30 and NYC Site Safety Training are related, but they are different credentials. Qualifying OSHA 30 training can count toward an SST Card, but an OSHA 30 card by itself is not an NYC SST Card.
OSHA 30 Construction
OSHA Outreach TrainingA 30-hour OSHA Outreach Training Program course covering common construction safety and health hazards.
Successful participants receive an OSHA Outreach student course completion card. OSHA states that the card is not a certification or license.
The OSHA Outreach Training Program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Qualifying OSHA 30 Construction training can provide 30 of the 40 hours needed for a standard Worker SST pathway.
NYC SST Card
NYC Site Safety TrainingA New York City Site Safety Training credential required for applicable construction personnel working on Local Law 196-covered jobsites.
A valid Worker SST Card documents at least 40 hours of qualifying training. A Supervisor SST Card documents at least 62 hours.
The SST program is administered by the New York City Department of Buildings.
Required training must be completed through qualifying providers, and the SST card must be issued through a DOB-registered course provider authorized to issue SST cards.
OSHA 30 Alone Does Not Give You a Worker SST Card
Under the standard Worker pathway, a qualifying OSHA 30 card provides 30 hours toward the requirement. You also need 8-Hour Fall Prevention + 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness before the qualifying training totals 40 hours for the Worker SST Card.
Standard Worker SST Path With OSHA 30
2026 Update: NYC DOB now also recognizes qualifying 40-Hour Site Safety training as equivalent to OSHA 30 for applicable new SST card issuance. The same five-year lookback applies.
How Do I Get My NYC SST Card?
Completing the required training is only part of the process. Your official SST card must be issued through a NYC DOB Registered Course Provider using the DOB Training Connect system.
Complete Required Training
Complete the Worker, Supervisor, upgrade or renewal training required for your SST card pathway.
Submit Your Documents
Provide the identification, photograph, OSHA documentation and other records required for your specific card application.
Provider Review
PDH STAR reviews your training history and supporting documents to confirm that you meet the applicable DOB requirements.
Card Issued & Mailed
Once your complete documentation is approved, your official Training Connect SST card is processed and mailed.
What Documents Will I Need?
Requirements vary by card type and prior training, but applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Current passport-style photograph
- OSHA card or qualifying OSHA documentation
- Required SST course completion records
- Existing SST card for applicable renewals or upgrades
- Outside-provider certificates when applicable
What Is NYC DOB Training Connect?
Training Connect is the NYC DOB platform used by registered course providers to maintain SST records and issue official SST identification cards. Employers and site safety personnel can use the public Training Connect app to validate an SST card.
Employer Responsibilities Under Local Law 196
Local Law 196 does not place responsibility only on the worker. Site owners, permit holders and employers also have responsibilities for ensuring that workers on covered jobsites have the required Site Safety Training.
Ensure Workers Have Required Training
Permit holders are responsible for ensuring that construction and demolition workers working under the permit meet the applicable SST requirements before performing covered work.
Validate SST Cards Before Entry
Each SST card presented at a covered worksite must be validated using the NYC DOB Training Connect app before the worker is allowed entry to the worksite.
Maintain the Required Training Log
The permit holder must maintain the required jobsite log identifying applicable workers and documenting their SST compliance, and must provide the log to DOB upon request.
Certify Compliance to NYC DOB
Permit applicants are required to certify to the Department that workers performing covered work under the permit will have the required training.
Local Law 196 Violations & Civil Penalties
NYC DOB may issue violations when SST requirements are not met.If DOB finds an untrained worker on a covered construction site, civil penalties can be assessed against the site owner, permit holder and employer of the untrained worker.
DOB may issue a civil penalty when a permit holder fails to maintain the required jobsite training log demonstrating that workers are properly trained.
DOB does not issue the Local Law 196 training violation to the individual worker. DOB states that responsibility rests with the parties responsible for ensuring that workers on the covered site are properly trained, including the permit holder and employer.
The requirement also applies to subcontracted work. A worker does not become exempt from SST because they work for a subcontractor rather than the general contractor, and the size of the worker's employer does not eliminate the applicable SST requirement.
SST Training for Contractors & Employers
PDH STAR provides online SST training, group enrollment and volume purchasing options for contractors, subcontractors and organizations training multiple workers.
NYC Local Law 196 & SST FAQs
Answers to common questions about NYC Site Safety Training, OSHA training, SST cards, renewals and Local Law 196 requirements.
What is NYC Local Law 196?
Local Law 196 of 2017 established Site Safety Training requirements for construction personnel working on New York City jobsites that require a Site Safety Professional.
Workers on covered jobsites generally need at least 40 hours of qualifying safety training, while designated Site Safety Professionals generally need at least 62 hours and a Supervisor SST Card.
Does every construction worker in New York City need an SST Card?
No. SST requirements apply to construction personnel working on jobsites that require a Site Safety Professional.
You can use the NYC DOB Site Safety Construction Map to determine whether a particular jobsite is subject to SST requirements.
How many hours of training do workers need for an SST Card?
Workers on covered jobsites generally need at least 40 hours of qualifying training to obtain a Worker SST Card.
One common pathway is qualifying OSHA 30 Construction training plus 8-Hour Fall Prevention and 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness.
How many hours of training do supervisors need?
Designated Site Safety Professionals generally need at least 62 hours of qualifying training and must hold a valid Supervisor SST Card.
Is OSHA 30 the same as an SST Card?
No. OSHA 30 and NYC Site Safety Training are different. Qualifying OSHA 30 Construction training may count toward an SST pathway, but the OSHA card itself is not an SST Card.
Under the standard OSHA 30 Worker pathway, the worker must also complete 8-Hour Fall Prevention and 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness before reaching the required 40 hours.
Does OSHA 10 plus OSHA 30 qualify me for a 40-Hour SST Card?
No. Simply completing OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 does not create a valid 40-Hour Worker SST training combination.
NYC DOB defines the specific courses that must be combined to satisfy each SST pathway. If you use OSHA 30, the standard Worker pathway requires the additional 8-Hour Fall Prevention and 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness courses.
How old can my OSHA 30 card be for a new SST Card?
When OSHA 30 is being used toward a new SST Card, qualifying OSHA training generally must have been completed within the applicable five-year lookback period.
Can 40-Hour Site Safety be used instead of OSHA 30?
Yes. Effective May 3, 2026, NYC DOB recognizes qualifying 40-Hour Site Safety as equivalent to OSHA 30 for credit toward applicable new SST card issuance.
The applicable five-year lookback also applies when the 40-Hour Site Safety course is used for this purpose.
How long is an NYC SST Card valid?
Standard Worker and Supervisor SST cards are valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Refresher training is required to renew the card.
Can I work if my SST Card is expired but I am within the one-year grace period?
No. For cards expiring on or after May 3, 2026, NYC DOB allows up to one year after expiration to renew the card.
However, the grace period only preserves your eligibility to renew. An expired SST Card cannot be used to work on a covered jobsite until it has been renewed.
Is the 2-Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness course still used for SST?
The former 2-Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness course was replaced by 2-Hour Mental Health Awareness (SST-308).
Beginning August 1, 2026, the former Drug and Alcohol Awareness course may no longer be delivered. Mental Health Awareness is now used for applicable new SST card pathways and eligible renewal combinations.
Do subcontractors need SST Cards?
If a worker is performing construction or demolition work on a jobsite that requires a Site Safety Professional, the applicable SST requirement applies regardless of whether the worker is employed by the general contractor or a subcontractor.
Does the size of my company affect whether I need an SST Card?
No. NYC DOB states that construction personnel working on covered jobsites must meet the SST requirements regardless of company size.
Does a foreperson need a Supervisor SST Card?
Not simply because the person is a foreperson.
DOB states that only designated Site Safety Professionals require the Supervisor SST Card. Other construction personnel on a covered jobsite, including forepersons, generally require the standard Worker SST Card unless they are serving in a role that requires the Supervisor credential.
How can an employer verify an SST Card?
NYC DOB uses the Training Connect system for SST records and card validation.
DOB requires each SST Card presented at a covered worksite to be validated through Training Connect before the worker is allowed entry to the site.
Where can I get an official NYC SST Card?
SST training should be completed through a NYC DOB Registered Course Provider, and you should verify that the provider is also authorized to issue SST cards.
MZI Consulting LLC dba PDH STAR is NYC DOB Registered Course Provider CP074 and issues official Training Connect SST cards for eligible applicants.
Ready to Complete Your NYC SST Training?
Compare Worker, Supervisor, upgrade and renewal options and choose the training that matches your current qualifications.
NYC DOB Site Safety Training Resources
Site Safety Training requirements can change. Use the official NYC Department of Buildings resources below for current regulatory information and verification.
SST Card Information
Current Worker and Supervisor SST requirements, card validity, training pathways and renewal information.
View SST Information →Local Law 10 FAQs
Official DOB guidance on Mental Health Awareness, SST renewal grace periods and the 40-Hour Site Safety equivalency.
View Local Law 10 FAQs →NYC DOB Training Connect
Learn how official SST records are managed and how employers and site personnel can validate SST cards.
View Training Connect →Registered Course Providers
Verify NYC DOB Registered Course Providers and the specific courses each provider is approved to deliver.
View Provider List →MZI Consulting LLC dba PDH STAR provides NYC DOB-approved Site Safety Training and issues official SST cards for eligible applicants in accordance with applicable DOB requirements.
Important: This page is provided as a general guide to NYC Site Safety Training requirements and does not replace NYC Department of Buildings rules, regulations, service notices or official guidance. Requirements may vary depending on the jobsite, card type, worker role, prior training and individual circumstances. Always confirm current requirements with NYC DOB when necessary.
