As you progress in your security career, you might start to wonder: Can I have more than one SIA licence? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can.
In fact, holding dual SIA licences is a smart strategic move that can significantly boost your career prospects, increase your earning potential, and make you a more valuable asset to employers. This guide explains why you should consider getting a second licence, the most popular combinations, and how you can save money in the process.
For a complete overview of the SIA licensing process, check out our complete SIA licence guide.
Why Get More Than One SIA Licence?
The security industry is diverse, with roles spanning from frontline guarding to technical surveillance. Holding a single licence gives you a great start, but it can also limit you to a specific set of duties. By adding a second licence, you unlock a wider range of job opportunities.
The main benefits of dual licensing are:
Increased Employability: Employers love candidates who can fill multiple roles. A security professional with both a Door Supervisor and CCTV licence can work on the door one night and in the control room the next, making them incredibly versatile.
Higher Earning Potential: With more skills comes higher pay. Being qualified for more specialised or in-demand roles allows you to command a better salary. Different licence types also open doors to different pay scales.
Greater Career Flexibility: Dual licensing opens doors to different work environments. You could work at a festival one month and in a corporate control room the next. If you’re wondering about working at events with an SIA licence, having multiple licences makes you far more attractive to event organisers.
Job Security: When you can work across multiple sectors, you’re less vulnerable to changes in any single market. If nightlife work slows down, you can pivot to control room operations or corporate security.
The Most Popular Dual SIA Licence Combinations
Different licence combinations suit different career goals. Here are the most strategic pairings and what they unlock for you.
Door Supervisor + CCTV Operator
This is by far the most common and strategic combination. The Door Supervisor licence is your all-access pass to the security world, allowing you to work in any environment, including licensed premises. The CCTV Operator licence qualifies you for technical, control-room-based roles.
Training required:
- Door Supervisor: 6-day course + EFAW
- CCTV Operator: 3-day course
Opportunities this unlocks:
- Large venues that need both door staff and control room operators
- Shopping centres with integrated security teams
- Corporate buildings requiring multi-skilled security personnel
- Event security roles where you can switch between crowd management and surveillance
Together, these two licences make you a complete security package. You can handle frontline duties, manage conflict, and also operate complex surveillance systems. Learn more about the different SIA licence types to understand what each one covers.
Security Guard + Door Supervisor
If you started with a Security Guard licence because you wanted to avoid nightlife work, adding a Door Supervisor licence later is a natural progression. The Security Guard licence restricts you from working in licensed premises, but the Door Supervisor licence removes that limitation entirely.
Training required:
- Security Guard: 4-day course + EFAW
- Door Supervisor: 6-day course (if you already have Security Guard training, some modules may overlap)
Opportunities this unlocks:
- Ability to work in pubs, bars, and nightclubs
- Event security roles that involve alcohol service
- Higher-paying door supervisor positions
- Greater flexibility to accept any security job offer
This combination is particularly useful if your career goals have changed or if you want to maximise your earning potential during peak nightlife seasons.
Door Supervisor + Close Protection
For those with ambitions in the premium end of the security industry, combining a Door Supervisor licence with a Close Protection licence positions you as a highly skilled professional.
Training required:
- Door Supervisor: 6-day course + EFAW
- Close Protection: 16-19 day intensive course + Level 3 First Aid
Opportunities this unlocks:
- High-profile event security where close protection skills are valued
- VIP protection roles that also require venue management experience
- Corporate security positions requiring both crowd control and executive protection
- International assignments where diverse skills are essential
This is a more advanced combination that requires significant investment in training, but it opens doors to some of the highest-paying roles in the industry. If you’re serious about a long-term security career, this pairing demonstrates commitment and versatility.
CCTV Operator + Security Guard
This combination suits those who prefer less confrontational roles but want flexibility between static guarding and control room work.
Training required:
- CCTV Operator: 3-day course + EFAW
- Security Guard: 4-day course
Opportunities this unlocks:
- Corporate security roles with rotating shifts between reception and the control room
- Retail security positions requiring both floor presence and surveillance monitoring
- Transport hubs where both CCTV monitoring and physical patrols are needed
- Warehouse and logistics security
This pairing is ideal if you want to build a career in corporate or retail security without working in the nightlife sector.
The 50% Discount on Additional Licences
Here’s the best part: the SIA actively encourages dual licensing by offering a 50% discount on the application fee for additional licences.
Here’s how it works:
- Your first SIA licence application costs £184
- Each additional licence you apply for costs just £92
This discount is automatically applied when you apply for a new licence through your SIA online account, as long as you already hold another valid licence. This makes it much more affordable to expand your skill set and increase your employability.
Example cost for Door Supervisor + CCTV dual licensing:
- Door Supervisor training: £249.99
- CCTV training: £239.99
- EFAW: £99.99
- First licence fee: £184
- Second licence fee: £92
- Total: £865.97
For a full breakdown of all costs involved, check out our guide on how much an SIA security licence costs.
How to Get a Second SIA Licence
Getting a second SIA licence is straightforward. You simply need to complete the required training for the additional licence and then apply for it through the SIA portal.
The process is the same as your first licence:
1. Book and complete the training course for your chosen second licence
2. Apply through your SIA online account (the same one you used for your first licence)
3. Complete identity verification at a Post Office
4. Pay the discounted fee of £92
5. Wait for approval (typically 4-6 weeks)
For a detailed walkthrough of the application process, read our step-by-step guide to applying for your SIA licence. The timeline is similar to your first application, so check out how long it takes to get an SIA licence to plan accordingly.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Investing in a second SIA licence is one of the smartest moves you can make in your security career. For a relatively small investment in training and a discounted licence fee, you can significantly increase your job prospects and earning potential.
The security industry values versatility. Employers would rather hire one person who can do multiple jobs than two specialists. This not only makes you more employable but also gives you leverage when negotiating pay and working conditions.
If you’re serious about building a long-term career in the security industry, dual licensing is a strategy you can’t afford to ignore. Still wondering if an SIA licence is worth it? The flexibility and opportunities offered by holding more than one licence make it a clear yes.
Ready to Expand Your Skills?
Ready to take your security career to the next level? Getting a second SIA licence is easier and more affordable than you think. With Get Licensed, you can book your training for a second licence at a location near you and get qualified in just a few days.
Whether you’re looking to add a CCTV licence to your Door Supervisor qualification, or you’re ready to step up to Close Protection, we’ve got you covered.
Browse our range of SIA-approved training courses and book your spot today. Your next career move is just a click away.
