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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Benefits

The SIA licence is open to all individuals who meet the required criteria.

Trust And Confidence

SIA licence builds trust, verifies training for security personnel.

Increased Employability

SIA licence improves job prospects, demonstrates essential skills.

Professional Development

SIA licence trains individuals for professional, responsible security duties.

How to apply
01
Pass the course

Depending upon the type of Course, it may take around 6 days to complete. The training course is assessed by multiple choice exams and a practical assessment.


02
Complete the licence application on the SIA website

The cost of starting a licence application is £184. The SIA will get back to you within 25 working days. In rare cases, this can take up to 6 weeks.


03
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 the Post Office. You can also have someone with a British passport, who is not related to you, to sign the back of your photo ID.


04
Submit application to the SIA

The SIA will verify your identity and run a background check on your criminal record. If you have lived abroad for 6 months or more, you may be required to provide some supporting evidence.


05
Receive your 3 year licence in the post

You are finally licensed! Your SIA Licence is valid for 3 years.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE SIA LICENCE?

Let’s get you booked on a course and kick start your journey to get the SIA Licence within 6 weeks or less!

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Select your desired course and your location below to look at the available options!

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Find Your Path
Compare SIA Licence

Find the right 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

  • 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
sia
Door Supervisor

Door Supervisor Licence

Earn up to £3000 per month working as a Door Supervisor or Corporate Security Guard

Security Guarding

Security Guarding

Get your SIA Security Guard Licence and work as a Security Officer for shops, offices and more.

CCTV

CCTV

Work in a huge variety of roles including: CCTV Operative, Security Supervisor

Close Protection

Close Protection

Get your Close Protection Licence, protect VIP’s and earn £200 to £400 a day.

Career & Earning potential
How much can you earn?

Earning Potential

£10 - 14 per hour
£24 - 40k per annum

Earning Potential

£10 - 14 per hour
£24 - 40k per annum

Earning Potential

£10 - 12 per hour
£24 - 32k per annum

Earning Potential

£50 - 100 per hour
£40k - 60k per annum

Where can you work?

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 £1,200

(*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

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

SIA Licence Cost

The cost of applying for an SIA Licence is £184. If you already hold a valid SIA Badge you can apply for another at a discounted rate.

The costs of the SIA card is non-refundable, so ensure that you have all the necessary documentation and correct licences before applying.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

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.
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