Overview
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates the private security industry across the UK. You need an SIA licence to carry out licensable security work under a contract for services, and door supervisors at licensed premises need one even when employed in-house.
There is no single SIA exam. For most front line licences you must first pass a licence-linked qualification, which is trained and examined by private training providers approved by awarding organisations. The SIA sets the content of these qualifications but does not run the training or the exams.
Important
On 28 August 2026 the SIA opened a public consultation, closing on 23 October 2026, on new licence-linked qualifications. The proposals include updated course content, an additional independent English language test, a new security-specific first aid qualification, and making an in-date first aid qualification a licence condition for close protection, door supervision and security guarding. The SIA says new qualifications are planned for later in 2027. None of this is in force yet, so check the SIA site before you book training.
Licence types
Front line licences cover people who do the security work themselves:
Security guarding: guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorder.
Door supervision: guarding licensed premises (venues licensed to sell alcohol or provide regulated entertainment). It also covers security guarding work.
Close protection: guarding people against assault or injury. It also covers door supervision and security guarding work.
Public space surveillance (CCTV): using CCTV to monitor people to guard premises or people.
Cash and valuables in transit: guarding property moved in a secure vehicle.
Key holding: keeping or controlling access to keys or lock devices. No qualification is needed.
Vehicle immobilisation: Northern Ireland only.
A non-front line licence is for managers, supervisors, employers, directors and partners who do not carry out licensable work themselves. It needs no qualification.
Who can apply
You must be 18 or over.
In most cases you must have the right to work in the UK.
You must pass the SIA's identity and criminal record checks. If you have spent 6 continuous months or more outside the UK in the last 10 years, you must provide overseas criminal record checks.
For every front line licence except key holding, you must hold the right licence-linked qualification. On a first application it must have been gained within the last 3 years. If you held the licence before but it has been inactive for more than 3 years, you need a new qualification.
For security guarding and door supervision you must hold an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you start the licence-linked training. For close protection it must be a first aid qualification at level 3 or above. The certificate must be valid for at least another 12 months.
Qualifications
| Licence | Current qualification |
|---|---|
| Security guarding | Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry |
| Door supervision | Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry |
| Close protection | Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry |
| Public space surveillance (CCTV) | Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry |
| Cash and valuables in transit | Level 2 Award for Working as a Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative within the Private Security Industry |
| Vehicle immobilisation | Level 2 Award in Vehicle Immobilisation in the Private Security Industry |
Scotland has SCQF Level 6 versions of the security officer, door supervisor and CCTV awards. The SIA does not accept qualifications awarded by BIIAB on or after 11 August 2026.
Exam pattern
Each qualification is made up of units. Most units end in a multiple-choice exam, and several also have a practical assessment that is video recorded. The minimum test standards agreed with the SIA include:
| Unit | Written exam | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of working in the private security industry (all sectors except close protection and cash in transit) | 72 questions, 110 minutes | 70% |
| Principles of working as a security officer | 60 questions, 90 minutes | 70% |
| Principles of working as a door supervisor | 50 questions, 75 minutes | 70% |
| Principles and practices of working as a CCTV operator | 40 questions, 60 minutes | 70% |
| Application of conflict management | 20 questions, 30 minutes | 70% |
| Application of physical intervention skills (door supervision and close protection) | 30 questions, 45 minutes | 80% |
| Each of the two cash and valuables in transit units | 40 questions, 60 minutes | 70% |
Security guarding covers the common unit, the security officer unit and conflict management. Door supervision covers the common unit, the door supervisor unit, conflict management and physical intervention skills. CCTV covers the common unit and the CCTV unit. Practical assessments (such as searching, using communication devices, a conflict scenario, a CCTV scenario and physical intervention techniques) must be passed in full.
Minimum course lengths, as listed on the SIA site in 2026:
| Qualification | With self-study | Without self-study |
|---|---|---|
| Security guarding | 30 hours over 4 days | 38 hours over 5 days |
| Door supervision | 44 hours over 6 days | 52 hours over 7 days |
| Public space surveillance (CCTV) | 22 hours over 3 days | 30 hours over 4 days |
| Cash and valuables in transit | 24 hours over 3 days | 27 hours over 4 days |
| Close protection | 194 hours over 18 days | 194 hours over 18 days |
Fees
From 1 April 2026, one SIA licence application costs £204. If you apply for more than one licence in the same application, each extra licence costs £102, except a vehicle immobiliser licence, which is always £204. The fee is not refundable, even if your application is refused. A renewal costs the same as a new licence. Training providers set their own course fees, which are separate.
How to apply
Get your first aid qualification (security guarding, door supervision, close protection) and complete the licence-linked qualification with an approved training provider. The awarding organisation tells the SIA when you pass.
Create an SIA online account and complete the 9-section application form, or ask your employer to apply for you if it is an SIA approved contractor.
Follow the "next steps" message. If you live in the UK this usually means going to a Post Office to show your identity documents, have your photo taken and pay the fee.
The SIA runs its checks and sends its decision by post and to your online account.
After the exam
Licences last 3 years, except the vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts 1 year. Licences do not renew automatically: you can apply to renew up to 4 months before expiry, and any time left on your current licence is added to the new one.
To renew a security guarding, door supervision or close protection licence, you must pass the matching refresher qualification. You need a valid first aid certificate before taking it, and the SIA also asks for certificates showing you completed the free ACT Awareness and ACT Security e-learning in the last year.
FAQs
How long does an SIA licence last?
3 years for most licences. A vehicle immobiliser licence (Northern Ireland only) lasts 1 year.
What pass mark do the SIA licence-linked exams need?
Most multiple-choice unit exams need 70%. The physical intervention knowledge exam needs 80%, and practical assessments must be passed in full.
Does the SIA run the training or the exams?
No. Approved training providers deliver the training, and awarding organisations set the exams and issue the certificates. The SIA sets the content and issues the licence.