How To Get An SIA Licence
Our SIA Courses feature the All Security Officer training, like SIA CCTV training, the SIA Door Supervisor training course in London, and SIA top-up or SIA Refresher training courses to renew your SIA licence. Get your SIA badge in London through our expert-led SIA courses.
Table of Contents:
What is an SIA Licence and how to get an SIA Licence?
An SIA licence is a mandatory legal requirement for all professionals in the private security industry. This SIA licence allows you to work legally as a Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator, or Security Guard.
This guide will help you understand whether you need a licence and, if so, which one. You can also check our SIA courses. First, find out whether you need a licence or not
Working in the private security industry without an SIA licence is illegal. If you are going to work as a security operative in the UK, you may need an SIA licence or an SIA badge to work legally.
If you decide to work as part of a contract of services that involves a licensable activity, you will need an SIA licence. A licensable activity is a job that requires you to have a licence before you can start working. You can read more about licensable activities.
If you work in-house as a security:
You do not normally need an SIA licence to work in-house. Even if you work in-house (directly employed by the venue or company), you must still have an SIA licence if your role involves:
- Door supervision at places that sell alcohol or have regulated entertainment (e.g., pubs, clubs, some events).
- Vehicle immobilising– this applies in Northern Ireland.
You can check more to find out if you need an SIA licence
Do you need an SIA licence as a director or manager?
You will need either a front-line or non-front-line licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) if both of these apply:
- You are a director, partner, manager, or supervisor in a security business.
- Your business supplies security operatives to other organisations under a contract for services (for example, providing guards to shops, offices, or events).
Front Line Licence
- Required if you personally carry out licensable security work. For example: guarding, door supervision, CCTV monitoring, and close protection.
Non-Front-Line Licence
- For people who manage, supervise, or run the business but do not personally perform security activities. For Example, a company director who only manages staff and contracts.
Important note:
If you ever perform licensable activities yourself, even occasionally, you must hold a Front-Line licence, regardless of your title (director, manager, etc.). You can read more about front-line and non-front-line licences.
When do you not need an SIA licence?
According to the guidance from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), there are some situations where you do not need an SIA licence:
Volunteer, as long as there is a written or spoken agreement that you will not receive any payment or reward.
Perform stewarding duties, such as:
- Directing people to their seats
- Showing them where toilets are
- Directing them to first-aid facilities
You also do not need an SIA licence when responding to a sudden, unexpected situation.
You also do not need a licence when responding to a sudden or unexpected situation. The actions are considered incidental or emergency responses, not professional security work, so an SIA licence is not required.
Understand the different types of SIA licences and how to get an SIA Licence.
This licence also allows you to perform the licensable activity of a door supervisor and a security guard.
You need to understand the roles of different SIA licence holders and decide whether you want to work as a door supervisor, security guard, CCTV operator, or close protection officer. Understand the difference between a door supervisor licence, a security guard licence, and a CCTV operator licence.
Door supervisor licence:
The SIA Door Supervisor Licence allows individuals to legally work in the UK as a security professional in licensed premises to prevent damage, theft, unauthorised entry, or unacceptable behaviour. The licence is issued by SIA, and it is valid for three years. Every three years, you need to renew your door supervisor licence.
Holders of the SIA Door Supervisor Licence can work in places such as Pubs and bars, Nightclubs, Retail shops and shopping malls, Office buildings, Events and festivals, and hotels.
The Door Supervisor Licence also covers the role of a Security Guard, meaning holders can work in many general security positions, not just on nightclub doors.
security guard licence:
You need a security guard licence to guard the property or premises against theft, damage, or unauthorised entry into the building. But this licence will not allow you to work in a licensed premises to operate CCTV systems for the purpose of: Guarding premises against disorder or damage, or Guarding people against injury or assault from unlawful conduct. Instead, you need to have a CCTV License.
CCTV operator licence
You will need a CCTV licence to operate CCTV systems for the purpose of guarding the premises or the public and monitoring their activities to prevent unlawful conduct and incidents. A CCTV operator can use the video footage as evidence.
A Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence also allows you to perform the licensable activities of a security guard.
Eligibility for to get an SIA licence
You must be 18 years old to apply for a door supervisor licence. You must have the right to work in the UK, complete SIA door supervisor training, security guard training or CCTV training, pass it, and obtain certification before you apply. Sia will conduct a criminal background check, and you have to pass it.
Check what training you need to get a licence
Completing an SIA training course, passing it, and obtaining the certificate are mandatory requirements for a licence application. Book your course with an SIA-approved training centre and complete your training.
Level 2 door supervisor training: Achieving a Level 2 door supervisor certificate is a mandatory requirement for a door supervisor licence application. It’s a 6-day training
Level 2 security guard training: Achieving a Level 2 security guard certificate is a mandatory requirement for a security guard licence application.
Level 2 CCTV operator training: Achieving a Level 2 door CCTV operator certificate is a mandatory requirement for a CCTV licence application.
Are you ready to apply for an SIA License?
Book the right SIA training courses today
Apply for an SIA Licence
- Achieve a Level 2 door supervisor certificate
- Complete the SIA licence application and submit
- Identity verification:
- Pay for the SIA licence ( link needs to be added) fee
- Identity check
For more information, you can follow the guidance on the licence application process
Explore Our SIA Training Courses
A Door supervisor refresher qualification is required for existing SIA-licensed Door supervisors applying to renew their license. Upon completion of the refresher course, qualified learners can apply to renew their licenses with SIA.
From :
£168.00
SIA Refresher Training With First Aid. Security guards and door supervisors to renew their SIA licences and SIA course in london, Our SIA refresher training sia security course with emergency first-aid at work. Renew your SIA license. Do SIA Security course.
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£199.98
SIA CCTV training for SIA CCTV operator licence to work in CCTV control as a private security CCTV operator in london and all over UK
From :
£249.98
SIA security training which SIA door supervisor security officer training with first aid, complete sia training wo get sia licence to become a sia security officer like sia door supervisor or security guard in london.
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Price range: £298.00 through £298.99
An SIA-approved door supervisor course is highly beneficial for those seeking a career in the private security industry as a door supervisor/security officer SIA training. By obtaining a SIA license, be able to work in most business sectors, giving you the opportunity to earn £12 to £18 an hour or more.
From :
£258.00
A SO refresher qualification is required for existing SIA-licensed Security officers applying to renew their license. Upon completion of the refresher training, qualified learners can apply to renew their licenses with SIA.
From :
£178.00
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