SIA Licensing Course (UK) 2026
This course explains how Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing works for anyone thinking about a job in UK private security. It covers who needs a licence, the licence types, the application checks, licence-linked training and the conditions you must follow. It is background knowledge only: it does not give you a licence or count as licence-linked training.
Kort svar
Den här gratiskursen har lektioner på cirka 30 minuter och ett prov med 25 frågor. Med minst 80 % kan du ladda ner ett kursintyg (privat, inte ackrediterat). Kontrollerad mot officiella källor den 13 oktober 2026.
Det här lär du dig
- Explain the SIA's role and the main offences in the Private Security Industry Act 2001
- Decide whether a role needs a licence and which type
- Describe the checks the SIA makes on applicants
- Identify the licence-linked training and first aid each licence needs
- Follow the licence conditions on wearing your licence and reporting changes
Få minst 80 % för att ladda ner ditt certifikat.
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Fråga 1 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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).
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Fråga 2 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 3 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 4 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 5 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 6 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 7 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: C. Northern Ireland
The SIA licenses vehicle immobilisers only in Northern Ireland, for both in-house and contracted work.
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Fråga 8 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 9 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 10 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: A. Security guarding
The SIA says the door supervision licence includes security guard activities. Close protection and CVIT need their own licences.
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Fråga 11 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 12 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 13 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 14 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 15 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: C. Vehicle immobiliser
The SIA says most licences last 3 years, but vehicle immobiliser licences last 1 year.
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Fråga 16 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 17 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: D. Key holding
Front line licences need a licence-linked qualification. Key holding and non-front line licences do not.
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Fråga 18 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 19 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 20 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: D. Gained within the last 3 years
First-time applicants must have gained their qualification within the last 3 years.
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Fråga 21 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 22 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 23 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: 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.
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Fråga 24 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: B. Within 2 days
Since December 2025, holders must tell the SIA within 2 days if they can, through their online account.
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Fråga 25 av 25
Visa svar
Svar: C. 7 days
Changes to your name or address must be reported within 7 days through your SIA online account.
Tangentbord: 1–4 för att svara, Enter för nästa fråga.
Bra att veta före provet
- Working in a licensable role without an SIA licence can lead to up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both.
- In-house staff usually do not need a licence, but door supervisors at licensed premises always do.
- Most SIA licences last 3 years; vehicle immobiliser licences (Northern Ireland only) last 1 year.
- Door supervisor and security officer learners need a first aid certificate valid for at least 12 months from the start of training.
- Licence holders must report a relevant charge or conviction within 2 days if they can, and a new name or address within 7 days.
Vanliga frågor
Does this course give me an SIA licence?
No. Only the SIA grants licences. For a front line licence you need a licence-linked qualification from an approved training provider, plus the SIA's identity, criminal record and right to work checks. This course is background knowledge only.
Do I need a licence to work as an in-house guard?
Usually not, if you are employed directly by the organisation you guard. Door supervisors at licensed premises are the main exception, and vehicle immobilisers in Northern Ireland also need one.
Will a criminal record stop me getting a licence?
Not always. The SIA looks at the type of offence, the sentence and how long ago it ended, and checks whether you are fit and proper.
When should I renew my licence?
You can apply up to 4 months before it expires. Any time left is added to the new licence. If it has already expired, you must apply for a new licence.
Är intyget ackrediterat eller officiellt erkänt?
Nej. Det är ett privat kursintyg, bara för dina kunskaper. Det är inte erkänt, ackrediterat eller godkänt av någon myndighet, tillståndsmyndighet, tillsynsmyndighet eller utbildningsinstitution, och det ersätter inte någon licens, certifiering eller utbildning som krävs enligt lag.