{"id":35521,"date":"2023-09-28T15:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T15:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/?p=35521"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:08:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:08:40","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-an-sia-licence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-an-sia-licence\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Getting an SIA Licence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you want to be in the security industry in the United Kingdom, you need a Security Industry Authority licence, also known as an SIA licence. The process of getting an SIA licence will vary depending on the type of job you want to have because there\u2019s a licence for each role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally speaking, the SIA licence process involves several steps. Such as completing a security licence course, passing a criminal background check, and providing the necessary requirements. To help you understand the application process, we will explain all the steps involved in getting an SIA licence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5LxDC9jg7mQ\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog-1024x284.png\" alt=\"Blog\" class=\"wp-image-36113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog-1024x284.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog-768x213.png 768w, https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Determine the Right Type of Licence for You<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, there\u2019s an SIA licence for each role. So, the type of licence you need will depend on whether you\u2019re a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/cctv\"> CCTV operator<\/a>, a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/security-guard-training\"> security guard<\/a>, a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/door-supervisor\"> door supervisor<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/close-protection\"> close protection officer<\/a>, or a CIVT operator. Each of these roles has different responsibilities, so the learning process will vary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Complete the Relevant Training Course<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you apply for the relevant licence, you need to complete the corresponding training course. Get Licensed offers an SIA licence course for each type of licence so you can prepare accordingly! Each course will cover a variety of topics, such as conflict management, health and safety, and legislation. They last several days and they\u2019re approved by the SIA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Free SIA Door Supervisor Course | Unit 1 - Principles of Working in The Private Security Industry\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yP4roCZ2_jQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pass Your Criminal Background Check<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you complete your training course, you need to pass a criminal background check. This is a key part of the SIA licence application process because it helps the SIA determine if you\u2019re suitable for the role you\u2019re applying for. If you have any previous criminal convictions or cautions, you can check to see if your application will be approved by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk\/Pages\/licensing-cri.aspx\">SIA here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Submit the SIA Licence Application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After completing the SIA licence course and passing the criminal background check, you can submit your application. You need to provide all the necessary requirements, including passport-size photos, information about your qualifications and work experience, and your training course certificate. Additionally, you must pay an application fee, which will cost you \u00a3204 and it\u2019s paid directly to the SIA.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to apply for an SIA licence in the UK [Updated 2024] | Get Licensed\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8QdY4JWn20A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wait for a Response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final step in the SIA licence application process is to wait for the authority to make a decision. This may take a few weeks, so it will feel like a long time. If everything is as it should be, the SIA will grant a security licence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Our GuardPerks Loyalty Membership | Perks and Discounts For Security Professionals\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y6QUSUJFHk0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to Renew an SIA Licence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SIA licences should be renewed every three years and the process requires additional training, another criminal background check, and a renewal fee. Door supervisors need to complete a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/sia-top-up-training-for-door-supervisors-upskilling-course\"> top up SIA licence course<\/a>. Security guards also need a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/sia-top-up-training-for-security-guards-upskilling-course\"> top up SIA licence course<\/a> for renewal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to seek job opportunities in the security industry in the UK, you need to get an SIA licence, and Get Licensed makes it easier! We provide all the courses and resources you need to prepare your application, including an app for<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.getlicensed.protect.released\"> Android<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/pk\/app\/protect-by-get-licensed\/id1562863073#?platform=iphone\"> iOS<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Get Licensed Customer Experiences | Get SIA Trained, Licensed and Working\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mWK_e9GPDk8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you want to be in the security industry in the United Kingdom, you need a Security Industry Authority licence, also known as an SIA licence. The process of getting an SIA licence will vary depending on the type of job you want to have because there\u2019s a licence for each role.&nbsp; Generally speaking, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":39599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4076],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sia-licence"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The essential explanation to Have an SIA Licence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you want to be in the security industry in the United Kingdom, you need a Security Industry Authority licence, also known as an SIA licence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-an-sia-licence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide to Getting an SIA Licence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you want to be in the security industry in the United Kingdom, you need a Security Industry Authority licence, also known as an SIA licence.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-an-sia-licence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Get Licensed Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/getlicensed\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" 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