Your SIA licence is the single most important tool in your security career, but it doesn’t last forever. Does an SIA licence expire? Yes—all SIA licences are valid for three years, and after that, they expire. So, what happens if you forget to renew and your licence expires?
The consequences are serious, and it’s crucial to know what to do next to protect your career and stay on the right side of the law.
This blog explains what happens when your SIA licence expires, your options for renewal, and why you must stop working immediately. For a complete overview of the SIA licensing process, check out our complete SIA licence guide.
Key Takeaways
- Your SIA licence expires after 3 years with no grace period—you must stop working immediately
- Working with an expired licence is a criminal offence with penalties up to £5,000 and 6 months in prison
- If expired less than 3 years ago, you can apply for a new licence using refresher training (1-2 days)
- If expired more than 3 years ago, you must retake the full training course from scratch
- Refresher training costs from £99.99 (Security Guard) or £129.99 (Door Supervisor), plus £184 licence fee
- You can renew up to 4 months early without losing any time on your current licence
How to Check Your SIA Licence Expiry Date
Knowing your SIA licence expiry date is crucial to avoid any disruption to your work.
Your expiry date is clearly printed on the front of your SIA licence card. You can also check it by logging into your SIA online account—the same account you used when you applied.
The SIA may send renewal reminders through your online account, but it’s your responsibility to track your expiry date and renew on time. Set a calendar reminder for four months before your licence expires to give yourself plenty of time.
Can I Work with an Expired SIA Licence?
No, you cannot. The moment your SIA licence expires, you are no longer legally allowed to work in any role that requires one. There is no grace period.
Working with an expired licence is the same as working without a licence at all, which is a criminal offence. If you’re caught, you could face:
- A fine of up to £5,000
- Up to six months in prison
- A criminal record, which could prevent you from getting a new licence in the future
Your employer will also face serious penalties for deploying an unlicensed operative. This is why most companies conduct regular licence checks and will immediately remove you from your post if they discover your licence has expired. For more on what can happen to your licence, read our guide on suspending and revoking a licence.
What If You’ve Just Realised Your Licence Has Expired?
If you’ve just discovered that your licence has already expired, here’s what you need to do immediately:
- Stop working right now. The moment you realise your licence has expired, you must stop working in any role that requires an SIA licence. Continuing to work is a criminal offence.
- Inform your employer immediately. Be honest and upfront. Your employer needs to know so they can arrange cover and ensure they’re not breaking the law.
- Start the SIA licence renewal process straight away. Book your refresher training and gather the documents you’ll need for your renewal application. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can get back to work.
SIA Licence Renewal: Can I Still Renew If It Has Expired?
This is the most common question people ask, and the answer depends on how long ago your licence expired.
If Your Licence Expired LESS Than 3 Years Ago
Good news! You cannot technically “renew” an expired licence—you must apply for a new licence. However, you can do this by completing a mandatory SIA refresher training course instead of retaking your original full training course.
This refresher training brings you up to speed on the latest industry standards, including counter-terrorism awareness, updated emergency procedures, changes to legislation, and modern conflict management techniques. You’ll also need a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate to attend the refresher course.
If Your Licence Expired MORE Than 3 Years Ago
Unfortunately, if it has been more than three years since your licence expired, you are no longer eligible for renewal. You will need to start the process from scratch by retaking the full training course for your licence type, just as you did when you first got qualified.
What Is Refresher Training and How Long Does It Take?
Refresher training is a shorter course designed to update your knowledge and skills without requiring you to repeat your entire original training.
Duration:
- Security Guard Refresher: 1 day
- Door Supervisor Refresher: 2 days
Cost:
- Security Guard Refresher: From £99.99
- Door Supervisor Refresher: From £129.99
What’s Covered:
The refresher course updates you on counter-terrorism awareness, updated emergency procedures, changes to legislation, and modern conflict management techniques.
EFAW Requirement:
Before you can attend refresher training, you must hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate. If your EFAW has expired, you’ll need to renew that first. Learn more about the new SIA licence renewal training requirements to understand what’s changed for 2025.
The SIA Licence Renewal Process: What You Need to Do
Whether you’re renewing an expired licence (less than 3 years ago) or a current one, the process is similar. You can start the renewal process up to four months before your current licence expires.
- Book Your Refresher Training: Complete the relevant refresher course for your licence type. Make sure your EFAW certificate is valid before you book.
- Apply for Renewal Online: Once you have your refresher training qualification, apply for your new licence through your SIA online account. Find out if you can renew your SIA security licence online.
- Pay the Fee: The renewal fee is the same as a new application: £184.
The SIA can take a few weeks to process applications, and you cannot work until your new licence is in your hand. For a detailed look at the timeline, read our blog on how long it takes to get an SIA licence.
Don’t Let It Happen to You
Letting your SIA licence expire is a costly mistake that can put your career on hold. The best way to avoid this situation is to be proactive.
Check your expiry date now and put a reminder in your calendar for four months before it expires. Renew as early as possible—the SIA will add any remaining time from your old licence onto your new one, so you lose nothing by renewing early. Keep your contact details updated with the SIA so you receive any renewal reminders they send.
An expired licence can lead to serious consequences, including job loss and even prosecution. Avoid common mistakes when applying for an SIA licence to ensure your renewal goes smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most employers conduct regular licence checks through the SIA’s public register. They can see your licence status and expiry date at any time. Many companies have automated systems that flag expiring or expired licences, so it’s very likely they’ll find out—and they’re legally required to stop you working immediately.
Each SIA licence has its own expiry date. If you hold multiple licences (for example, Door Supervisor and CCTV), they don’t all expire at the same time unless you applied for them simultaneously. You can still work using any valid licence you hold, but only in roles covered by that specific licence type. Learn more about having dual SIA licences.
No. An expired SIA licence is not valid proof that you’re qualified to work in security. While it shows you once held a licence, it doesn’t prove you’re currently authorised to work. Employers and venues will only accept a current, valid licence.
Ready to Renew?
If your licence is expiring soon or has recently expired, don’t delay. Get Licensed offers SIA-approved refresher and top-up training courses across the UK, making it easy to get the qualification you need to renew your licence.
Book your SIA refresher training course today and ensure you can continue working in the security industry without interruption.
