HOW TO GET AN SIA LICENCE

It is a legal requirement to get an SIA licence to work in the private security industry. Learn how you can apply for your licence and work legally as a Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator, Security Guard or Close Protection Officer.

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How to apply for your licence

Follow these steps to get your SIA licence and start your security career

Book and pass your SIA training courses

Enroll in an SIA-approved course, which typically takes around 6 days to complete.
The course includes exams and practical assessments. Once you pass, you’ll
receive a certificate required for your licence application.

~ Estimated time 6 days

Complete licence application on the SIA website

With your training certificate, complete the online licence application on the official
SIA website. The application fee is £184.

~ Estimated time 1 day

Complete identity checks

You will need to verify your identity to satisfy parts of your SIA application, namely
your photo ID. The easiest way to do this is at your local Post Office.

~ Estimated time 1 day

Await application processing

After submitting your application and completing identity verification, the SIA will
process your application. This includes background checks and can take up to
4-6 weeks.

~ Estimated time 4-6 weeks

Receive your 3 year licence in the post

Once approved, your licence will be mailed to you and will be valid for 3 years.

*Result times may vary depending on the course plan you purchase.

what country are you from?

Find all the information you need to navigate the application process, document
requirements, and other essentials, specifically tailored for your nationality

Compare SIA Licence

The training and licence you need depends on the career path you want to go on.
Select a job role to view the right licence View full

SIA training courses in Birmingham

Door Supervisor
Patrol Officer
Security Officer
CCTV Operator
Retail Security
Nightclub/Doorman
Revenue Protection
Static Security Guard
Control Room Officer
Security Concierge
Bodyguard
VIP Security

Door Supervisor Licence

View details

Security Guard Licence

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CCTV Operator Licence

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Close Protection Licence

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Career & Earning potential

How much can you earn?

Earning Potential

up to £23 per hour
up to £48k per annum

Earning Potential

up to £18 per hour
up to £37k per annum

Earning Potential

up to £20 per hour
up to £42k per annum

Earning Potential

up to £100 per hour
up to £60k per annum

Where can you work?

Retail, Events, Offices, Licensed premises, Static guarding, Manned guarding - covers all Security Guarding roles

Where can you work?

Static guarding, Manned guarding, Key-holding, Retail

Where can you work?

CCTV operator, Control room, Public space surveillance

Where can you work?

Bodyguard, VIP security, Maritime, Asset protection, International assignments

Training & Costs

Training duration
The length of the course

Course Length

6 days

Course Length

4 days

Course Length

3 days

Course Length

14 days

Training fee
Cost of the training and exam
(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £239.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £189.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £219.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £1,999

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

SIA licence fee
Cost of the SIA application

SIA Application cost

£184

SIA Application cost

£184

SIA Application cost

£184

SIA Application cost

£184

Time to recover costs
How long you have to work
before you recover the costs

Time to recover costs

6 days

Time to recover costs

5 days

Time to recover costs

5 days

Time to recover costs

4 days

Course Dates More Info

Ready to get your
SIA licence?

Start your new career by enrolling on your SIA training
course. Find your nearest course today.

View Courses Near Me View Courses Near Me

Explore SIA training courses

🔥 Most Popular

Door Supervisor Training

Get your SIA licence to work as a Door Supervisor in pubs, clubs, and events.

Starting at just £229.99

Book Now Learn more

Security Guard Training

Train to become a licensed Security Guard for retail, offices, and warehouses.

Starting at just £189.99

Book Now Learn more

CCTV Training

Get licensed to operate CCTV systems and monitor security footage.

Starting at just £219.99

Book Now Learn more

Close Protection Training

Get certified to work as a Bodyguard for VIPs and high-profile client.

Starting at just £1994

Book Now Learn more

SIA Licence Renewal

SIA Top-Up Refresher Training for Security Guard

For individuals looking to renew their Security Officer/Guard Licence.

Starting at just £99.99

Book Now Learn more

SIA Licence Renewal

SIA Top-Up Refresher Training for Door Supervisor

For individuals looking to renew their Door Supervisor Licence.

Starting at just £129.99

Book Now Learn more

View all courses

Explore Security careers

A diverse selection of roles to choose from

How to Become a Nightclub Doorman

Licence required: Door Supervisor Training

Earn up to: £12.50-£25 20 to 48 hours a week (usually includes weekends)

View Details

How to Become a Retail Security Officer

Licence required: Door Supervisor Training

Earn up to: £7-£15 20 to 48 hours a week usually includes weekends

View Details

How to Become a Control Room Operator

Licence required: CCTV Training

Earn up to: £9-£13 20 to 48 hours a week usually includes weekends

View Details

How to Become a Front of House Officer - Get Licensed

Licence required: Door Supervisor Training

Earn up to: £9-£15 20 to 48 hours a week usually includes weekends

View Details

How to Become a Loading Bay Supervisor

Licence required: Door Supervisor Training

Earn up to: £10-£14 20 to 48 hours a week usually includes weekends

View Details

View all careers

Have a question? We have answers

The licence application cost is £184. This is paid directly to the SIA, the licensing authority for the security industry.

A newly issued SIA licence is valid for 3 years.

The roles that you can undertake will depend on which SIA licence you have. A holder of an SIA CCTV Licence can watch public images but can’t work as a security guard. In the same way a holder of an SIA Door Supervisor licence can’t work as a CCTV Operative.

It can take 25 working days to process a licence application. In some cases, this can take up to 6 weeks due to additional security checks.

It is illegal to work in the security industry without an SIA Licence. However, some employers can qualify for exemptions under Section 4(4) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

The SIA will check the course qualification, identify and criminal background during the licence application process.

You may apply for a non-frontline SIA licence without passing the course. For all frontline roles such as Security Guarding, Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator, Close Protection etc you must pass the course before applying for the licence.