{"id":44880,"date":"2026-03-26T13:10:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/?p=44880"},"modified":"2026-03-26T13:10:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:10:59","slug":"close-protection-refresher-training-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/close-protection-refresher-training-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Close Protection Refresher Training: Your Licence Renewal Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has introduced a mandatory close protection refresher training course<\/a> that all operatives must complete before they can renew their licence. This isn\u2019t optional; it\u2019s a legal requirement to stay licensed and working in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the New Close Protection Refresher Training?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a significant step up from the old close protection top-up training<\/a> requirement, bringing the CP sector in line with the SIA refresher training<\/a> already mandatory for door supervisors and security guards since April 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Tony Holyland, the SIA\u2019s Head of Individual Standards, put it, the training is designed to ensure operatives \u201ccontinue to have the skills and knowledge to undertake aspects of their role safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended Reading: Why Completing Refresher Training Is Crucial<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top-Up vs. Refresher: What’s the Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Top-Up Training (from Oct 2022)<\/strong><\/td>Refresher Training (from Apr 2026)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Purpose<\/strong><\/td>A one-time bridging course to bring operatives who trained under the old (pre-2022) qualifications up to the new standard<\/td>An ongoing course to refresh safety-critical skills and combat “skills fade”<\/td><\/tr>
Frequency<\/strong><\/td>Once \u2014 complete it and you’re done<\/td>Every renewal cycle (every 3 years)<\/td><\/tr>
Who needs it<\/strong><\/td>Operatives who qualified before April 2022<\/td>All CP licence holders, regardless of when they first qualified<\/td><\/tr>
Current status<\/strong><\/td>Most operatives have already completed this<\/td>Becomes mandatory for all renewals from 1 April 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Introduced by SIA<\/strong><\/td>October 2022<\/td>Available from October 2025, mandatory from April 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended Reading: Top-Up Vs Refresher Training<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Does the Refresher Course Cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SIA worked with industry experts to identify the areas most likely to be affected by \u201cskills fade.\u201d The refresher course focuses on bringing every operative up to the same high standard, covering critical topics like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n