If you’re a close protection operative, your renewal process is about to change. Since October 2022, you’ve needed to complete top-up training to renew your SIA close protection licence. But from 1 April 2026, that requirement is being replaced by something bigger: a mandatory refresher qualification you’ll need to complete every time you renew, not just once.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has introduced a mandatory close protection refresher training course that all operatives must complete before they can renew their licence. This isn’t optional; it’s a legal requirement to stay licensed and working in the UK.
This blog breaks down exactly what this means for you, what the new training involves, and why you need to act sooner rather than later.
What Is the New Close Protection Refresher Training?
Put simply, it’s a top-up course designed to ensure your skills are sharp and up to date with the latest industry standards. The SIA announced the new requirement back in August 2025, giving the industry a heads-up on the changes.
This is a significant step up from the old close protection top-up training requirement, bringing the CP sector in line with the SIA refresher training already mandatory for door supervisors and security guards since April 2025.
As Tony Holyland, the SIA’s Head of Individual Standards, put it, the training is designed to ensure operatives “continue to have the skills and knowledge to undertake aspects of their role safely.”
Recommended Reading: Why Completing Refresher Training Is Crucial
Top-Up vs. Refresher: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve already completed “top-up” training in recent years, you might be wondering whether you still need to do this. The short answer is yes. The top-up and the refresher are two different things, and here’s how they compare:
| Top-Up Training (from Oct 2022) | Refresher Training (from Apr 2026) | |
| Purpose | A one-time bridging course to bring operatives who trained under the old (pre-2022) qualifications up to the new standard | An ongoing course to refresh safety-critical skills and combat “skills fade” |
| Frequency | Once — complete it and you’re done | Every renewal cycle (every 3 years) |
| Who needs it | Operatives who qualified before April 2022 | All CP licence holders, regardless of when they first qualified |
| Current status | Most operatives have already completed this | Becomes mandatory for all renewals from 1 April 2026 |
| Introduced by SIA | October 2022 | Available from October 2025, mandatory from April 2026 |
Even if you’ve already completed the top-up, you will still need to complete the new refresher course when your licence is next due for renewal from 1 April 2026 onwards.
Recommended Reading: Top-Up Vs Refresher Training
What Does the Refresher Course Cover?
The SIA worked with industry experts to identify the areas most likely to be affected by “skills fade.” The refresher course focuses on bringing every operative up to the same high standard, covering critical topics like:
- Physical Intervention Skills: Both for close protection and door supervision scenarios (since your CP licence covers this).
- Terror Threat Awareness: Essential knowledge for operating in the modern security landscape.
- Protecting People in Vulnerable Situations: Including new content on drink spiking awareness.
- Conducting Searches.
Alongside the course, you must also hold a valid First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification, or an equivalent, which is a standard requirement for front-line SIA licences.
Why Is This Happening Now?
This change is part of a wider industry-wide push by the SIA to raise standards, which also includes the major SIA Qualification Review currently underway.
The security landscape is constantly evolving, and the SIA wants to ensure that all licence holders, regardless of when they first qualified, are equipped to handle modern threats. Since your CP licence also allows you to work as a Door Supervisor or Security Guard, this refresher ensures your skills are current across all those roles.
The Deadline Is Closer Than You Think
The 1 April 2026 deadline applies to anyone whose licence expires after this date. While that might seem far away, you can’t leave it to the last minute.
You need to book and complete your close protection refresher training before you can even apply to renew your licence. The training itself takes 3-5 days, and you need to factor in time for your certificate to be issued.
If you wait until the last few weeks of your licence, you risk a gap where you are unlicensed and legally unable to work. The smart move is to get it done early.
Don’t Get Caught Out: Secure Your Renewal Today
This isn’t just about ticking a box for the SIA. It’s about investing in your career and ensuring you remain one of the most highly-trained professionals in the security industry. The skills covered in the refresher are critical for keeping yourself and your clients safe in 2026 and beyond.
If your licence is expiring anytime from 1 April 2026, the clock is ticking. The smart move is to get your refresher training booked and completed well in advance. Whether you need to book your mandatory close protection refresher training, are looking to enter the top tier of the industry with the full close protection course, or are starting your journey with a door supervisor course, don’t leave it to the last minute.
If you’re new to the industry, our guide on how to prepare for close protection training covers everything you need to know before you start.
