An SIA licence is issued by the Security Industry Authority to people working in specified licensable activities in the UK private security industry. The correct licence depends on the work you intend to carry out. Training is an important part of the route for most front-line licences, but completing a course is not the same as being granted a licence.
Who needs an SIA licence?
Whether a licence is required depends on the activity being carried out, how the individual is employed and the relevant legal rules. Common front-line licence categories include Door Supervision, Security Guarding, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) and Close Protection.
Front-line vs non-front-line licences
Front-line licences apply to people carrying out licensable security activity. Non-front-line licences are relevant to certain directors, managers and others involved in supplying security services. The qualification requirements differ, so do not assume every SIA licence route requires the same training.
How to get an SIA licence
- Choose the correct licence category.
- Check whether your route requires first aid before training.
- Complete the recognised licence-linked qualification.
- Create or use your SIA account.
- Submit the application and pay the fee.
- Complete identity and background checks.
- Respond to any requests for further information.
- If approved, receive the licence.
How much does an SIA licence cost?
The current fee to apply for one SIA licence is £204 from 1 April 2026. A renewal application costs the same. From 1 June 2026, the multiple-licence discount applies when additional licences are included in the same application: the first licence costs £204 and each additional eligible licence costs £102. Vehicle immobiliser licensing is treated differently. Full cost breakdown
How long does an SIA licence last?
Most SIA licences last three years. Vehicle immobiliser licences are an exception and last one year. Always check the current SIA information when applying.
What checks does the SIA make?
The SIA considers identity, criminality and other licensing criteria. The exact checks depend on the application and individual circumstances. Passing training does not guarantee that the SIA will grant a licence.
Criminal record and eligibility
Having a criminal record does not produce the same outcome in every case. The SIA applies published criminality criteria that consider factors such as the offence, the disposal or sentence and the time elapsed. If you have concerns, use the official SIA criminal-record guidance before paying for training. Read more about criminal records and SIA licences
Right to work and identity
Applicants need to satisfy the SIA's identity requirements and any relevant right-to-work or residency and document checks that apply. Use the current SIA application guidance, because accepted documents and verification steps can change.
How long does an application take?
We do not promise a fixed processing time. The overall journey includes course attendance, results and qualification processing, application submission and the SIA's checks. Missing information or additional checks can lengthen the process.
Can I work while my application is being processed?
Do not assume that passing the course or submitting an application authorises licensable work. Check the current SIA rules and only carry out activity you are legally entitled to perform.
Renewing an SIA licence
Renewal is not simply paying another fee. Door Supervisor and Security Guard renewal routes currently require the appropriate refresher qualification, and Close Protection refresher training became mandatory from 1 April 2026. First-aid prerequisites also matter for relevant refresher courses. How to renew
Can I hold more than one SIA licence?
Yes, if you meet the requirements for each category. For example, someone may hold Door Supervisor and CCTV licences. Check the current fee rules when applying for multiple categories.
Lost, stolen or damaged licence
Use the official SIA account and process to report or manage licence issues, because the steps can change.
Who does what: SIA, awarding organisation, training provider
Three different organisations are involved, and confusing them causes most of the misunderstandings we see.
| Organisation | What it does |
|---|---|
| Security Industry Authority (SIA) | Sets licensing requirements, processes applications, runs identity and criminality checks and issues or refuses licences. It does not approve or vet training providers. |
| Awarding organisation | Owns the qualification, approves the training centres that can deliver it, sets the assessment standard and issues your certificate. |
| Training provider | Delivers the course and assessment as an approved centre, and issues your joining instructions. Named on every listing on this site. |
This is why "SIA approved training provider" is wording to be wary of: the SIA itself says it does not approve providers.
Working while you wait
Do not assume that passing a course, or submitting an application, lets you start licensable work. The rules about what you may do while an application is in progress are set by the SIA and depend on the circumstances, so check the current official guidance and only carry out activity you are entitled to perform. Employers are also responsible for checking.
Licence conditions and displaying your licence
A licence is not simply a card: it authorises specific activity and comes with conditions. Front-line licence holders are required to display their licence while carrying out licensable activity, unless a specific exemption applies. Keep it visible, keep it undamaged, and keep your contact details current with the SIA so correspondence reaches you.
If your application is refused
A refusal is not always the end of the matter. The SIA sets out its reasons and there is a route to challenge a decision you believe is wrong. Timescales apply, so read the correspondence carefully and act quickly rather than reapplying blindly. If your circumstances are complex, particularly around criminality, take independent advice. Criminal records and SIA licences
Common reasons applications are delayed
- Identity documents that do not match the details on the application
- The qualification not yet being processed by the awarding organisation when the application is submitted
- Incomplete or inaccurate declarations
- Address history gaps
- Not responding promptly when the SIA asks for more information
Keeping your licence current
Diarise your expiry date as soon as the licence arrives, and set a second reminder several months earlier for refresher training and first aid. Renewal depends on completing the right qualification in time, not just on paying the fee. Renewal guide
How employers check licences
Employers should verify that workers hold the appropriate current licence for the activity being performed, and many suppliers of security services also hold approved-contractor status, which brings its own compliance expectations. If you employ licensed staff, build licence expiry dates into your workforce planning rather than discovering them when someone cannot work. Training for employers
What first aid has to do with licensing
First aid is not an SIA licence in itself. It is a prerequisite built into the current training routes for Door Supervisor and Security Guard, and for the related refreshers: you need valid first-aid evidence before the licence-linked training begins. That ordering is the single most common reason learners are turned away on the first morning of a course. First aid for SIA training
If you move, change your name or lose your licence
Keep your details current with the SIA through your own account. Address and name changes, and lost, stolen or damaged licences, are all handled through the official process, and out-of-date contact details are a common reason people miss correspondence about their application or renewal.
Common myths
| You may hear | In fact |
|---|---|
| "This provider is SIA approved." | The SIA does not approve or vet training providers. Awarding organisations approve centres to deliver their qualifications. |
| "The course includes your licence." | The £204 application fee is paid to the SIA and is separate, unless a listing clearly states an application service is included. |
| "You can do the whole thing online." | Practical elements, including physical intervention, must be delivered and assessed face to face. |
| "Passing means you can start work." | Passing gives you the qualification. The SIA still has to grant the licence. |
| "A criminal record means an automatic no." | Outcomes depend on the offence, the disposal and the time elapsed. Check the official criteria first. |
| "Renewal is just paying again." | Door Supervisor and Security Guard renewals currently require the relevant refresher qualification. |
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Licensable activity | Work that requires an SIA licence. The category depends on what you actually do, not your job title. |
| Front line / non-front line | Front-line licences cover people carrying out licensable activity; non-front-line licences cover certain managers and directors supplying security services. |
| Awarding organisation (AO) | The body that owns the qualification and approves training centres to deliver it. |
| Licence-linked qualification | The qualification the SIA requires for a given licence category. |
| EFAW | Emergency First Aid at Work: the usual first-aid prerequisite for Door Supervisor and Security Guard routes. |
| Public Space Surveillance (PSS) | The formal name for the CCTV licence category. |
| Refresher | The current renewal qualification, replacing what older material called "top-up" training. |
| Self-study | Permitted learning completed outside the classroom, which can reduce contact hours within the approved delivery model. |
Last reviewed 22 September 2026. SIA rules and fees change. Check the current official guidance before you book or apply: Apply for an SIA licence · April 2026 change to the SIA licence fee · SIA: approved training providers
