Can You Get an SIA Licence with a Criminal Record? (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

• A criminal record does not automatically stop you from getting an SIA licence with criminal record UK applications
  
• Absolute refusal applies if you are on the Sex Offenders Register, subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, or have multiple sexual or child abuse convictions
  
• Custodial sentences over 48 months trigger “intention to refuse” — but strong mitigation can still be considered
  
• From 1 December 2025, overseas criminal record checks now cover the last 10 years (previously 5 years)
  
• The “Fit and Proper” test now goes beyond criminal convictions to include CCJs, disciplinary records, domestic abuse, social media conduct, and mental health information
  
• Use the SIA Criminal Record Indicator tool before paying for training — the £184 licence fee is non-refundable

You made a mistake in the past. Now you want to move forward, build a career, and work in the UK security industry. But one question keeps stopping you: can you still get an SIA licence with a criminal record?

It is a fair concern. 

The rules are strict, the stakes are real, and the £184 application fee is non-refundable if you get it wrong. At Securex, we work with people from all walks of life who want to get licensed, and this question comes up constantly. 

The honest answer is that most people with a criminal record can still apply, and many are approved.

But the rules changed significantly on 1 December 2025. If you are going by old information, you could be preparing for the wrong outcome. 

This guide gives you everything you need to know about how the SIA assesses criminal records in 2026, what the three decision tiers mean, and how to give yourself the best possible chance of approval.

Quick Answer: Can You Still Get an SIA Licence with a Criminal Record?

Yes, in many cases you can. The SIA assesses every application individually. Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from working in the UK’s private security industry.

What matters is the type of offence, the length of any sentence, how much time has passed, whether the conviction is spent or unspent, and whether you can show genuine rehabilitation. 

According to GOV.UK’s official SIA guidance, the decision is never black and white for most offences; it depends on the full picture.

That said, the December 2025 update was the biggest overhaul of SIA licensing criteria in years. 

New refusal categories were introduced, the list of relevant offences was expanded, overseas checks were extended to 10 years, and the “Fit and Proper” standard now includes a much wider range of non-criminal factors. 

If you have a criminal record and want to work in security, you need to understand exactly where you stand before spending any money on training.

What the December 2025 Update Changed for SIA Applicants

The SIA’s December 2025 update replaced the old two-category refusal system with a cleaner three-tier framework. 

This change followed a public consultation that received 3,392 responses, according to the new licensing criteria update.

The list of offences the SIA considers has also expanded significantly. New additions include human trafficking, modern slavery, revenge porn, female genital mutilation, domestic abuse, immigration offences, public order offences, tax evasion, and certain company law offences. 

This means a much wider range of convictions can now affect your application, even if you previously assumed yours would not be relevant.

The overseas criminal record look-back window was extended from 5 to 10 years. 

The “Fit and Proper” test was also formally expanded to include professional misconduct, domestic abuse findings, predatory sexual behaviour, and disciplinary proceedings by employers or regulators.

Heads Up: If you have lived abroad for six months or more at any point in the last 10 years, you now need to provide official criminal record certificates from every country you lived in. 

Overseas certificates can take weeks or months to obtain, so contact the relevant embassy or national records body well in advance.

Moving Beyond a DBS Check: The “Fit and Proper” Person Test

Most people expect a criminal record check. What surprises many applicants is how much further the SIA now looks.

Before granting a licence, the SIA must be satisfied that you are a “fit and proper” person. 

According to GOV.UK’s official SIA licensing guidance, this standard goes well beyond your police record. In 2026, the test covers:

• Your full criminal record, including overseas convictions where applicable
  
• Your right to work in the UK
  
• Mental health history, specifically if you have been compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act in the last 5 years
  
• County court judgements (CCJs)
  
• Fixed-penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder
  
• CCTV footage, social media posts, and news reports
  
• Crimestoppers intelligence and reports from members of the public
  
• Information from the police, HMRC, local authorities, and private security companies

Non-criminal conduct can also lead to refusal. 

This includes abusive or predatory behaviour where no conviction exists, professional misconduct or disciplinary findings from an employer or regulator, and any behaviour that could damage the reputation of the private security industry.

Good to Know: The SIA does not only look at what you were convicted of. It looks at who you are. A pattern of behaviour matters, even without a formal conviction.

How the SIA Criminal Record Check Works

DBS, AccessNI, and Disclosure Scotland: Which One Applies to You?

The SIA uses three different bodies to carry out criminal record checks, depending on where you live. 

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is used for applicants in England and Wales. AccessNI handles checks for Northern Ireland applicants. Disclosure and Protection Scotland is used for those based in Scotland. 

If you have lived in more than one UK jurisdiction, checks may be obtained from multiple bodies, as confirmed by GOV.UK’s SIA licensing guidance.

These checks reveal unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands. The SIA also has access to information that may not appear on a standard DBS certificate, including intelligence from the police or other agencies, because the licence application is treated as a public-safety matter.

What the SIA Looks At

When reviewing your criminal record, the SIA considers:

• The type and seriousness of the offence: does it suggest risk in a public-facing, trust-based role?

• The sentence given, particularly whether any custodial term exceeded 12 or 48 months

• How long ago the offence occurred — recent offences carry far more weight than old, isolated incidents

• Whether it is spent or unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

• Cautions and warnings: these are relevant criminal disposals, even if they did not result in a prosecution

• Overseas convictions, if you have lived abroad for 6 or more continuous months in the last 10 years

The 10-Year Overseas Criminal Record Rule

Crucial Update: If you have lived outside the UK for 6 continuous months or more at any point in the last 10 years, you must provide official criminal record certificates or equivalent documents for every country you spent that time in.

The SIA may request these during your application or at renewal. 

If you cannot provide them, your application cannot proceed. This rule changed from a 5-year to a 10-year look-back window on 1 December 2025, as confirmed in the GOV.UK licensing criteria update.

Mental Health Disclosures

You must disclose if you have been compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act, or placed on a community treatment order, in the last 5 years. 

The SIA will contact your psychiatrist, psychologist, or GP for a medical report and may impose conditions on any licence granted: for example, requiring periodic medical reviews. According to GOV.UK’s guidance, this is not an automatic bar. 

The SIA assesses each case based on the medical report received.

How Long Does the Check Take?

The SIA does not guarantee a processing time. 

For straightforward applications with no criminal record complications, GOV.UK guidance cites approximately 25 working days as a best-case figure. Applications involving overseas checks, outstanding charges, or complex criminal histories will take significantly longer.

Pro Tip: Track your application status through your SIA online account. If the SIA asks for further information, respond as quickly as possible. Delays at this stage can add weeks to your processing time.

Use the SIA Criminal Record Indicator Tool Before You Spend a Penny

Before you pay for training or submit your £184 application fee, which is non-refundable, use the SIA Criminal Record Indicator (CRI) tool.

It is free, it is on the SIA’s website, and it could save you a significant amount of money.

You enter your criminal record details, and the tool tells you whether you are likely to pass the criminality check, based on the same criteria the SIA uses in full applications. 

The result is indicative only, not a guarantee, because the SIA may receive additional information during its own checks that the tool cannot account for. The SIA’s Criminal Record Indicator page makes this clear.

Use the tool to:

• Check whether your offence falls into absolute refusal, intention to refuse, or CAF territory

• Determine whether your record is likely to cause a problem before committing to a training course

• Identify whether you need additional documents, such as overseas certificates or character references

Warning: If the tool indicates a likely refusal, seek specialist advice before proceeding. A poorly prepared application wastes your fee and creates a record of refusal. 

Getting proper guidance first is always the better move.

The 3 Tiers of Licensing Decisions in 2026

The new three-tier framework introduced in December 2025 makes the SIA’s decision process clearer and, in some cases, stricter.

Understanding which tier applies to you is the most important step before applying.

Category: Absolute Refusal

The SIA will always refuse an application under this category.

There is no appeal based on character or rehabilitation. According to GOV.UK’s updated licensing criteria, absolute refusal applies when:

• You are on the Sex Offenders Register because of your offending

• You are subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order or a Sexual Risk Order

• You have a conviction or other criminal disposal for more than one sexual offence or child abuse or neglect offence — even one offence from each category counts

• You have a conviction for any sexual offence committed while working as an SIA licence holder or in a position of trust or responsibility

The only successful challenge in this category is one that proves the SIA’s decision was based on incorrect information, for example, if the criminal record on file belongs to someone else.

Category 2: Intention to Refuse

This category applies when:

• You have a single sexual offence, child abuse, or neglect offence that does not meet the absolute refusal criteria

• You have a custodial sentence of more than 48 months on your record

Unlike absolute refusal, this category can be successfully appealed.

Strong evidence of rehabilitation, professional conduct since the offence, and compelling character references can all make a difference, but the bar is high.

GOV.UK’s licensing update confirms this is possible but not easy.

Category 3: Consideration of Additional Factors (CAF)

CAF applies to offences that are serious enough to require extra scrutiny but do not trigger the higher refusal categories. This includes:

• Custodial sentences of more than 12 months but fewer than 48 months
• Serious, violent or dishonesty offences that are old or where strong mitigation exists
• Other relevant offences where the SIA needs to assess the context before deciding

CAF gives you the best opportunity to make your case. 

You can submit character references, rehabilitation evidence, employment records, and a written personal statement explaining your history and the changes you have made since the offence.

Which Criminal Offences Can Affect Your SIA Licence?

Not every criminal offence carries the same weight with the SIA. Some lead to automatic refusal, while others trigger a review where your history, rehabilitation, and character all play a role.

The table below gives you a clear picture of where the most common offence types sit under the 2026 framework.

Offence Type Reference Table

Offence Type	Typical SIA Outcome (2026)	Typical Relevance Period
Sexual offences (multiple, or in position of trust)	Absolute refusal	N/A
Single sexual or child abuse offence	Intention to refuse	Long-term; strong mitigation required
Custodial sentence over 48 months	Intention to refuse	Case-by-case review
Custodial sentence 12–48 months	CAF review	Until SIA is satisfied of rehabilitation
Violence / serious assault	Intention to refuse or CAF	12 months – 5 years post-sentence
Dishonesty / theft / fraud	CAF review; possible refusal if recent	12 months post-sentence
Drug supply / trafficking	Likely CAF or refusal	Depends on severity and recency
Drug possession (minor, historic)	CAF review	Often accepted if old and spent
Drink driving	Case-by-case	Typically ends when disqualification is spent
Immigration offences	Now relevant under Dec 2025 rules	Case-by-case

Source: GOV.UK SIA Licensing Criteria Update

Violence-Related Offences

Assault, affray, domestic violence, grievous bodily harm, and stalking are all treated as serious relevant offences. 

The outcome depends on the severity of the sentence, how recently the offence occurred, and whether it involved a weapon or a position of trust.

A single minor common assault conviction from several years ago may fall into CAF and be approved with strong mitigation. 

A GBH conviction resulting in a two-year sentence will require substantial evidence of rehabilitation before the SIA considers approval.

Drug-Related Offences

Drug supply and trafficking convictions are treated seriously and are likely to result in at minimum a CAF review, with more serious or recent offences triggering an intention to refuse.

Simple possession of a small amount of a Class B drug, particularly if the conviction is old and spent, is treated far more leniently, especially if you can show it was an isolated incident with a clean record since.

Theft and Dishonesty Offences

Theft, fraud, burglary, handling stolen goods, and related offences are considered particularly relevant. 

Security work involves protecting property and maintaining the trust of employers and the public. Even older dishonesty convictions can weigh heavily. 

If your offence falls into this category, be prepared to provide a detailed explanation alongside strong rehabilitation evidence.

Immigration Offences

From 1 December 2025, immigration-related offences have been formally added to the SIA’s list of relevant offences, as confirmed by GOV.UK’s licensing update. 

If you have a conviction in this category, check where it places you in the three-tier framework before applying.

Drink Driving

A single older drink-driving conviction is not typically a bar to an SIA licence, provided it is spent and you can show it was an isolated incident. 

Multiple convictions, recent offences, or those combined with dangerous or disqualified driving are treated more seriously and may trigger a CAF review.

Outstanding Charges and Active Investigations

If you have charges currently awaiting trial, the SIA will normally wait for the court outcome before making a decision. 

GOV.UK’s guidance is clear: you must disclose any outstanding charges. Failure to do so is treated as misleading a government body, which is itself a factor that can lead to refusal. 

Do not assume that because you have not yet been convicted, you do not need to mention an investigation or pending charge.

Important: Never leave outstanding charges off your application. The SIA finds out. Being caught withholding this information is often worse for your application than the charge itself.

Can You Apply for an SIA Licence with a Spent Conviction?

Yes, you can apply with a spent conviction. The SIA is legally allowed to see it, but how much it affects your application depends on the offence, how old it is, and the rehabilitation behind it. 

Understanding what “spent” actually means and how the SIA views it differently from most employers is the key to knowing where you stand.

What Is a Spent Conviction?

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA), once a defined rehabilitation period has passed without further offending, most convictions become “spent.” 

In standard employment, a spent conviction does not need to be disclosed.

The 2023 Updates to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which came into force in 2023, reduced rehabilitation periods for many offences. 

It also brought sentences of four years or more within the spent-conviction framework for the first time, though it excluded the most serious sexual, violent, and terrorist offences. 

Bindman’s Solicitors’ analysis of the ROA changes provides a clear breakdown of how these updated periods work in practice.

How the SIA Treats Spent Convictions

Here is the important distinction. 

The SIA can and does consider spent convictions when assessing fitness and propriety. Unlike most employers, who must treat spent convictions as irrelevant, the SIA is legally permitted to take them into account as part of its public-safety function, as stated in GOV.UK’s official SIA guidance.

However, older, minor, and fully spent convictions with no repeat offending and clear evidence of rehabilitation are given significantly less weight.

In many cases, they do not affect the outcome at all. The SIA is focused on current risk, not simply historical record.

Good to Know: Spent does not mean invisible to the SIA. But it does mean the SIA looks at it very differently to a recent, unspent conviction.

Borderline Cases: How to Make the Most of the CAF Process

Not every conviction leads to an automatic refusal. 

If your application falls into the CAF category, the SIA will weigh your full history, including what you have done since the offence, before reaching a decision.

This means a well-prepared application with the right supporting evidence can still result in a licence, even where a conviction initially raises concerns.

Understanding what the SIA is looking for and presenting it clearly significantly improves your chances of approval.

What You Can Submit as Mitigation

If you fall into the CAF category, the quality of your supporting documentation can be the difference between approval and refusal. The SIA accepts:

• Character references from employers, former employers, community leaders, or other reputable individuals who can speak to your current conduct. References should be recent, written on headed paper where possible, and address your specific suitability for a role in the security industry

• Evidence of rehabilitation, including completion of drug or alcohol treatment programmes, anger-management or domestic abuse intervention courses, NVQs or other accredited training, and sustained employment or voluntary work

• A personal statement in your own words explaining the circumstances of the offence, what you have learned, and how you have changed

A Real-World Example of a Successful Application

Consider an applicant with a drug supply conviction from seven years ago who received an 18-month suspended sentence.

He completed a drug rehabilitation programme, gained full-time employment in logistics, and spent two years volunteering with a youth outreach programme.

When he applied for a Door Supervisor licence, his conviction placed him in the CAF category.

He submitted a detailed personal statement, two employer references, his rehabilitation certificate, and a letter from the volunteering organisation. His application was approved.

This outcome shows the SIA’s approach clearly: who you are now matters more than what you did in the past, provided the offence was not in the absolute refusal or serious intention-to-refuse categories.

Pro Tip: Do not submit thin references. A one-paragraph letter from a family member carries very little weight.

A detailed, recent reference from an employer or community leader who knows your work and character is far more effective.

SIA Licence Eligibility Requirements in the UK

Before focusing on your criminal record, confirm you meet the basic eligibility requirements.

Age: You must be 18 or over to hold any SIA licence, as confirmed by GOV.UK’s licensing guidance.

Right to work in the UK: Required in almost all cases.

The SIA checks this against Home Office records. If your right to work has expired or is pending, your application will be suspended until you can provide evidence.

Licence-linked qualification: For all front-line licences, Door Supervisor, Security Guard, CCTV, Close Protection, Cash and Valuables in Transit, you must complete an SIA-approved training course and obtain the relevant qualification before applying. Key holding and non-front-line licences do not require this.

Identity documents: You need one Group A document (passport, UK driving licence photocard, or birth certificate) and two Group B documents (bank statement, utility bill, council tax letter, and similar, all from the last 3 months).

Tip: Check your identity documents before you start training. An expired passport or a bank statement older than three months can delay your entire application.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Your SIA Licence

Getting licensed is straightforward when you follow the right order. Skipping steps or getting the sequence wrong is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.

At Securex, we help people through this process every week. Here is the sequence that works:

1. Check your criminal record first. Use the SIA Criminal Record Indicator tool to identify any likely issues before spending money on training.

2. Choose and complete the right SIA course. Select an accredited training provider and complete the licence-linked qualification for your chosen role.
   
   If you are looking for guidance on this step, our guide on how to choose the best SIA training provider in the UK covers what to look for and the mistakes to avoid.

3. Gather your documents. Assemble your Group A and Group B identity documents, overseas criminal record certificates if required, and any supporting evidence for CAF.

4. Create an SIA online account and complete the 9-section application form accurately and in full.

5. Submit your application and pay the £184 licence fee (rising to £204 from 1 April 2026). This fee is non-refundable.

6. Complete identity verification at a participating Post Office branch, or via your employer if they are an SIA Approved Contractor.

7. Wait for the decision. Track your application status via your SIA online account.
   
   If asked for further information, respond promptly; delays at this stage extend your processing time significantly.
   

Which SIA Course Should You Take First?

Choosing the right licence depends on where you want to work and what suits your background.

The table below breaks down the main options so you can find the best starting point for your situation.

Licence Type	Where You Can Work	Best For	Typical Salary (2026)	Criminality Strictness
Door Supervisor	Pubs, clubs, events, retail	People entering the industry	£28,000–£38,000	High — public-facing role
Security Guard	Commercial sites, static guarding	Those wanting regular hours	£24,000–£32,000	Medium
CCTV Operator (PSS)	Control rooms, retail, transport	Tech-oriented applicants	£25,000–£34,000	Medium
Close Protection	High-net-worth clients, VIPs	Experienced operatives	£40,000–£70,000+	Very high

The Door Supervisor licence is the most popular route into the industry and gives you the broadest range of working environments.

The Security Guard licence is a lower-cost entry point, and many operatives later upgrade.

Our comprehensive guide to security officer training in London covers what each course involves and what to expect from the assessment process.

Common Reasons an SIA Licence Application Gets Refused

Knowing why applications fail helps you avoid the same mistakes. The most frequent reasons, based on GOV.UK’s guidance and refusal records include:

Absolute refusal offences — Being on the Sex Offenders Register, having multiple sexual or child abuse convictions

Custodial sentence over 48 months — Where the applicant cannot demonstrate they are no longer a risk to the public

Failure to disclose outstanding charges or pending investigations — The SIA treats this as misleading a government body

Non-criminal Fit and Proper failures — Including CCJs, professional disciplinary findings, or a pattern of abusive behaviour identified through social media or public reports

Incomplete or incorrect application — Wrong identity documents, missing overseas certificates, or inconsistencies in information provided

Qualification issues — Applying for a front-line licence before completing the required training course

Watch Out: An incomplete application is one of the most avoidable reasons for delay or refusal. Double-check every section before you submit.

Can You Reapply If Your SIA Licence Is Refused?

Yes, in most cases. If your application is refused, the SIA will send a written decision explaining the grounds. You then have several options.

Submit new information or correct an error. 

If the refusal was based on incorrect information, for example, a case of mistaken identity or an incorrect record, you can challenge this immediately.

Appeal with mitigation.

In intention-to-refuse and CAF cases, you can submit an appeal with supporting evidence, including character references, rehabilitation documentation, and a personal statement.

Appeal to a magistrates’ court.

If the internal appeal fails, you have the right to escalate to a magistrates’ court. This is rare but available as a final option.

Reapply after the required waiting period.

If you were refused on criminality grounds, you may need to wait a defined period before reapplying with new evidence of rehabilitation.

The length of the wait varies by offence type.

The most important step after a refusal is understanding exactly why it happened. Specialist advice from a provider like OC Training’s SIA appeals guidance can help you build a stronger case for reapplication.

Start Your SIA Training the Right Way

If the Criminal Record Indicator suggests you are likely to pass the criminality check, the path forward is clear.

Find an accredited training provider offering SIA-approved licence-linked qualification courses. Complete your chosen course: Door Supervisor, Security Guard, or CCTV, depending on your career goals.

Gather your supporting documents, including identity papers, overseas criminal records if applicable, and any CAF mitigation evidence. Apply online, verify your identity at a Post Office, and pay the fee.

If you want the smoothest possible route through the process, consider applying through an SIA-approved contractor employer. They can apply on your behalf, handle the fee, and guide you through any complications.

The UK security industry employs over 440,000 active licence holders and continues to grow, according to Get-Licensed’s research on the sector. A criminal record is a genuine hurdle — but for most people, it is not the end of the road. Prepare properly, be completely honest throughout, and show the SIA who you are today.

Your past does not have to define your future in this industry. What matters now is how you move forward, and getting the best SIA training is where that starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a criminal record automatically disqualify you from an SIA licence? 

No. The vast majority of criminal offences do not lead to automatic refusal. According to GOV.UK’s guidance, the SIA assesses each case individually based on offence type, sentence, recency, and rehabilitation evidence.

What are the absolute refusal offences? 

Being on the Sex Offenders Register, being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order or Sexual Risk Order, or having multiple sexual or child abuse convictions. A single such conviction committed while holding an SIA licence or in a position of trust also triggers absolute refusal.

Will drink driving affect my SIA licence? 

A single older drink-driving conviction is unlikely to be a barrier, particularly if it is spent. Multiple or recent convictions, or those involving dangerous driving, will be assessed more critically on a case-by-case basis.

Can the SIA see spent convictions? 

Yes. Unlike standard employers, the SIA is legally permitted to consider spent convictions as part of its fit-and-proper assessment. However, old, minor, and fully spent convictions are given significantly less weight, as confirmed by GOV.UK’s official licensing guidance.

Does a caution show up on an SIA check? 

Yes. Cautions, warnings, and reprimands are treated as relevant criminal disposals and will appear on your criminal record check, according to GOV.UK’s SIA guidance.

How long does the criminality check take? 

There is no guaranteed timeframe. For straightforward applications, approximately 25 working days is a realistic best-case estimate. Applications with overseas checks, pending court cases, or CAF reviews take longer.

What happens if I have outstanding charges or an active investigation? 

The SIA will typically wait for the court outcome before deciding. You must disclose any outstanding charges. Failure to do so can itself be grounds for refusal, as stated in GOV.UK’s SIA guidance.

Can I get a licence with a suspended sentence?

Possibly. A suspended sentence does not automatically place you in absolute refusal or intention to refuse territory. The SIA will assess the offence type, the length of the suspended term, and the time passed since sentencing. Strong mitigation and a clean record since the offence give you the best chance.

Does mental health history affect my application? 

Only if you have been compulsorily detained or placed on a community treatment order under the Mental Health Act in the last 5 years. The SIA will request a medical report and may grant the licence with conditions.

Can I appeal a refused SIA licence? 

Yes, through the SIA’s internal process or, ultimately, at a magistrates’ court. The strength of your appeal depends on the tier of refusal and the quality of mitigation evidence you provide.