SIA Licensing Course (UK): Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: The SIA and the law

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the UK's private security industry. It was set up by section 1 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and is sponsored by the Home Office. Its functions include licensing, inspecting the industry and setting or approving standards of conduct, training and supervision.

Two key offences

The SIA keeps a searchable register of licence holders, so employers and clients can check a licence.

Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)

The ACS is a voluntary quality scheme for security companies. Companies that pass appear on the SIA's searchable register of approved contractors. An approved contractor can also apply for a licence on a worker's behalf.

Lesson 2: Who needs a licence, and which one

You usually need a licence if you do a licensable activity under a contract for services, for example a guard placed in a shop by a security firm. If you are employed directly by the organisation that uses your services (in-house), you usually do not need one. There are exceptions:

• Door supervision at licensed premises needs a licence whether you are in-house or contracted.
• Vehicle immobilising needs a licence in-house or contracted, but only in Northern Ireland.
• Directors, managers and supervisors of firms that supply security staff need a licence too.

You do not need a licence to check that people have paid or hold a ticket, to steward (for example showing people to seats), or to help in a sudden emergency such as a fire evacuation. But refusing entry or removing someone does need a licence. Volunteers do not need one if there is a written or spoken agreement that they get no payment or reward.

Licence types

A front line licence is for people who do the work themselves. A non-front line licence is for managers, supervisors, employers, directors and partners who do not; it also allows key holding.

Lesson 3: Applying for a licence

You apply through an SIA online account. An approved contractor can also apply for you if you link your accounts. UK residents usually visit a Post Office to have documents checked and a photo taken.

What the SIA checks

• Age: you must be 18 or over.
• Identity: one Group A and two Group B documents, one showing your current address.
• Right to work in the UK (for front line licences).
• Criminal record: if you lived outside the UK for 6 continuous months or more in the last 10 years, you also need overseas checks.
• Qualification: a licence-linked qualification for front line licences.
• Mental health: if you were compulsorily detained in the last 5 years, the SIA may ask for a medical report.

Fit and proper

The SIA's Get Licensed booklet (May 2026) says it grants licences only to people who are fit and proper. It asks whether the applicant is more likely than not to be violent, dishonest or otherwise put the public at risk. A conviction does not always mean refusal: the SIA looks at the offence, the sentence and how long ago it ended.

Most licences last 3 years. Vehicle immobiliser licences last 1 year. If you are refused, you generally have 21 days to appeal to a magistrates' court, or a sheriff court in Scotland.

Lesson 4: Training and renewal

Front line licences need a licence-linked qualification from an approved awarding body. Key holding and non-front line licences do not.

Scotland also has SCQF Level 6 versions for door supervision, security guarding and CCTV. For a first licence, the qualification must have been gained within the last 3 years.

First aid

Door supervisor and security officer learners need a first aid qualification, usually Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or First Aid at Work (FAW), valid for at least 12 months from the start of the training. The training provider must check it.

Renewing

• You can apply to renew up to 4 months before your licence expires. Time left on the old licence is added to the new one.
• Door supervisors, security officers and close protection operatives take a refresher qualification before renewing.
• You cannot renew an expired licence. You must apply for a new one.

Lesson 5: Licence conditions

Every licence comes with conditions. Breaking one is a criminal offence under section 9 of the Act, and the SIA can also warn you, suspend your licence or revoke it.

Wearing your licence

• Wear your front line licence where it can be seen at all times while doing licensable work.
• Exceptions: it has been reported lost or stolen, the SIA has it, or your work is covert (for example a store detective). Covert workers must still carry it and show it on request.
• Never wear a licence that has been defaced or changed.
• Show it if a police officer, SIA staff or a person authorised by the SIA asks.

Telling the SIA about changes

Tell the SIA through your online account. These time limits replaced the old 21-day and 42-day limits in December 2025.