What you need to know
- Why criminality is checked. The SIA licenses people to work in roles involving public safety, access to premises and vulnerable people, so it assesses whether an applicant is a fit and proper person.
- Why the outcome depends on circumstances. The criteria consider the type of offence, the sentence or disposal, and the time that has passed. Two people with a record can get different decisions.
- Check before paying for training. Course fees are rarely refundable once a course has run, so use the SIA's official criminal-record guidance and indicator first.
- Declare accurately. Incomplete or inaccurate declarations cause problems in their own right.
- Expect the SIA to decide. No training provider and no marketplace can promise a licence.
We cannot assess individual eligibility or give legal advice on your record. Use the official SIA guidance, and take independent legal advice if your situation is complex.
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
