SIA Licensing Course (UK) 2026

1. Question 1 sur 25

   The SIA's licensing powers and the offences you must avoid are set out in which Act of Parliament?

   • AThe Private Security Industry Act 2001
   • BThe Licensing Act 2003
   • CThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
   • DThe Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: A. The Private Security Industry Act 2001

   The Private Security Industry Act 2001 created the SIA (section 1), sets out its licensing powers and makes unlicensed work an offence (section 3).

2. Question 2 sur 25

   A client wants proof that a security company has met the SIA's quality standards. What can the client check?

   • AWhether it is on the SIA register of approved contractors
   • BWhether the company has been trading for more than ten years
   • CWhether the company has a website with lots of good reviews
   • DWhether all of the company's guards wear the same uniform
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: A. Whether it is on the SIA register of approved contractors

   The Approved Contractor Scheme is a voluntary quality scheme. The SIA publishes a searchable register of approved contractors.

3. Question 3 sur 25

   Under section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, what is the maximum penalty in a magistrates' court for working in a licensable role without a licence?

   • AA lifetime ban from working in any job in the UK
   • BUp to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both
   • CA written warning only, and never a fine of any kind
   • DUp to 14 years in prison, with no fine possible
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: B. Up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both

   Section 3(6) sets a maximum of six months' imprisonment, a level 5 fine, or both, on summary conviction.

4. Question 4 sur 25

   A company knowingly supplies an unlicensed guard to a client. Under section 5, what is the maximum prison sentence on conviction on indictment?

   • A2 years
   • B10 years
   • C5 years
   • D6 months
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. 5 years

   Section 5 makes it an offence to supply security services through unlicensed operatives. The maximum on indictment is 5 years, an unlimited fine, or both.

5. Question 5 sur 25

   A supermarket employs its own security guard directly. Does the guard usually need an SIA licence?

   • AYes, every security worker needs a licence in all cases
   • BNo, in-house work usually does not need a licence
   • CNo, supermarkets are always exempt from all security law
   • DYes, but only if the guard works at night
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: B. No, in-house work usually does not need a licence

   The SIA says you usually do not need a licence if you are employed directly by the organisation that uses your services, unlike contracted work.

6. Question 6 sur 25

   Which role needs an SIA licence even when the worker is employed in-house?

   • ADoor supervision at licensed premises
   • BA steward who shows people to their seats
   • CA cleaner at an office block
   • DA receptionist who signs visitors in
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: A. Door supervision at licensed premises

   Door supervision at premises licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on site, or to provide regulated entertainment, needs a licence whether in-house or contracted.

7. Question 7 sur 25

   In which part of the UK is vehicle immobilising (wheel clamping) still a licensable activity?

   • AScotland
   • BEngland and Wales
   • CNorthern Ireland
   • DWales only
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: C. Northern Ireland

   The SIA licenses vehicle immobilisers only in Northern Ireland, for both in-house and contracted work.

8. Question 8 sur 25

   When can a volunteer do security work without an SIA licence?

   • AWhen it is agreed they get no payment or reward
   • BWhen the event organiser gives them permission
   • CWhen they only work at weekends and bank holidays
   • DWhen they have done the training but not yet applied
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: A. When it is agreed they get no payment or reward

   The SIA says volunteers do not need a licence if there is a written or spoken agreement that they receive no payment or reward.

9. Question 9 sur 25

   At a contracted event, which task can be done without an SIA licence?

   • ARefusing entry to a drunk person at the gate
   • BChecking that people have paid or hold a ticket
   • CGuarding the venue car park against theft and damage
   • DRemoving someone who is causing trouble
   Voir la réponse

   Réponse: B. Checking that people have paid or hold a ticket

   Checking that people have paid or hold an invitation does not need a licence, but refusing entry or removing someone does.

10. Question 10 sur 25

    A door supervisor licence also allows the holder to carry out which other activity?

    • ASecurity guarding
    • BCash and valuables in transit
    • CPublic space surveillance in a town centre
    • DClose protection of a person
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. Security guarding

    The SIA says the door supervision licence includes security guard activities. Close protection and CVIT need their own licences.

11. Question 11 sur 25

    A contracted operator watches town centre CCTV to look out for disorder and assaults. Which licence is needed?

    • APublic space surveillance (CCTV)
    • BKey holding
    • CSecurity guarding, which covers all CCTV work
    • DNon-front line
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. Public space surveillance (CCTV)

    A security guarding licence only covers CCTV used against unauthorised access, damage or theft. CCTV used to guard against disorder or assault needs a public space surveillance licence.

12. Question 12 sur 25

    Who needs a non-front line licence?

    • AAnyone who personally guards a building on contract
    • BA CCTV operator in a control room
    • CEvery door supervisor working at a nightclub at weekends
    • DA manager who does not personally do licensable work
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. A manager who does not personally do licensable work

    Non-front line licences are for people who manage, supervise or employ licensable staff, or directors and partners, without doing the work themselves. It also allows key holding.

13. Question 13 sur 25

    An SIA applicant has lived abroad. When must they provide an overseas criminal record check?

    • AOnly if they were born outside the United Kingdom
    • BAfter any trip abroad in the last 10 years
    • CAfter 2 continuous years abroad at any time in their life
    • DAfter 6 continuous months abroad in the last 10 years
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. After 6 continuous months abroad in the last 10 years

    If you have lived outside the UK for 6 continuous months or more in the last 10 years, you must provide official overseas criminal record checks.

14. Question 14 sur 25

    How does the SIA's Get Licensed booklet describe the 'fit and proper' test?

    • AWhether they can pass a physical fitness test at the gym
    • BWhether they are more likely than not to be violent or dishonest
    • CWhether they have worked in security for at least two years before
    • DWhether they own a smart suit and shoes for the job
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. Whether they are more likely than not to be violent or dishonest

    The SIA only grants a licence to people it considers fit and proper. It asks whether the applicant is more likely than not to be violent, dishonest or otherwise put the public at risk.

15. Question 15 sur 25

    Most SIA licences last 3 years. Which licence lasts only 1 year?

    • AClose protection
    • BDoor supervision
    • CVehicle immobiliser
    • DPublic space surveillance
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. Vehicle immobiliser

    The SIA says most licences last 3 years, but vehicle immobiliser licences last 1 year.

16. Question 16 sur 25

    If the SIA refuses your application, where can you appeal?

    • ATo a magistrates' court (sheriff court in Scotland)
    • BTo the High Court only
    • CTo your training provider, who can overturn the decision
    • DTo the Home Office, by sending a letter
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. To a magistrates' court (sheriff court in Scotland)

    The Get Licensed booklet says applicants generally have 21 days to appeal to a magistrates' court or, in Scotland, a sheriff court.

17. Question 17 sur 25

    Which licence can be applied for without a licence-linked qualification?

    • ASecurity guarding
    • BClose protection
    • CDoor supervision
    • DKey holding
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Key holding

    Front line licences need a licence-linked qualification. Key holding and non-front line licences do not.

18. Question 18 sur 25

    What level is the licence-linked qualification for close protection?

    • AA Level 4 Diploma
    • BA Level 2 Award, the same as door supervision
    • CA Level 1 Award
    • DA Level 3 Certificate
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. A Level 3 Certificate

    Close protection needs the Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives. Door supervision, security guarding and CCTV use Level 2 Awards.

19. Question 19 sur 25

    A learner is about to start door supervisor training. How long must their first aid certificate still be valid?

    • AAt least 12 months from the start of the training
    • BIt only needs to be valid on the day of the final exam
    • CNo first aid certificate is needed
    • DAt least 1 month after the training ends
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. At least 12 months from the start of the training

    Door supervisor and security guard learners need EFAW or FAW that is valid for at least another 12 months from the start of licence-linked training.

20. Question 20 sur 25

    For a first-time licence application, how recent must the licence-linked qualification be?

    • AGained within the last 6 months
    • BAny age, as long as it was passed
    • CGained within the last 10 years
    • DGained within the last 3 years
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Gained within the last 3 years

    First-time applicants must have gained their qualification within the last 3 years.

21. Question 21 sur 25

    How early can you apply to renew an SIA licence?

    • AOnly in the last week before it expires
    • BOnly after it has expired
    • CUp to 4 months before it expires
    • DUp to 2 years before it expires
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. Up to 4 months before it expires

    You can apply to renew up to 4 months before expiry. Any time left on the old licence is added to the new one.

22. Question 22 sur 25

    Your security guard licence expired last month. What must you do to work in that sector again?

    • AKeep working, as there is a grace period
    • BAsk for a renewal, which is always allowed
    • CAsk your employer to sign a letter instead
    • DApply for a new licence
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Apply for a new licence

    You cannot renew a licence unless you have a current licence in that sector. If it has expired, you must apply for a new one.

23. Question 23 sur 25

    A store detective works covertly. What does the licence condition say about their front line licence?

    • AThey must pin it to their outer coat
    • BThey must hand it to the store manager for safe keeping
    • CThey must carry it and show it when asked
    • DThey can leave it at home
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. They must carry it and show it when asked

    Covert workers do not have to wear the licence on show, but they must still carry it and produce it on request.

24. Question 24 sur 25

    Under SIA licence conditions, how quickly should you tell the SIA about a new charge or conviction for a relevant offence, if you can?

    • AWithin 30 days
    • BWithin 2 days
    • COnly if you are sent to prison
    • DAt your next renewal
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. Within 2 days

    Since December 2025, holders must tell the SIA within 2 days if they can, through their online account.

25. Question 25 sur 25

    A licence holder moves house. How long do they have to tell the SIA about the new address?

    • ANo need to tell the SIA
    • B3 months
    • C7 days
    • D1 year
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. 7 days

    Changes to your name or address must be reported within 7 days through your SIA online account.

Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.