To get an SIA licence in 2026 you must be 18 or over, complete the licence-linked qualification for the role (door supervision, security guarding or CCTV), hold an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate or equivalent for door supervisor and security guard training, then apply online to the Security Industry Authority (SIA). You will need one Group A and two Group B identity documents and must pass criminal record and right-to-work checks. The fee is £204 per licence from 1 April 2026, and a licence lasts three years.
If you want to work as a door supervisor, security officer or CCTV operator in the UK, the SIA licence is your entry ticket. This guide explains which licence you need, what the training involves, what it costs, how long it lasts and how to renew it.
Information correct as of 12 October 2026. This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Always check the latest rules on GOV.UK before you book training or apply.
What is an SIA licence and who needs one?
The Security Industry Authority is the regulator for the UK private security industry. If you personally carry out a “licensable activity”, you need a front line licence, which usually comes as a plastic photo card. According to GOV.UK, front line activities include:
- Door supervision – guarding licensed premises such as bars, clubs and venues
- Security guarding – guarding premises or property, such as offices, retail sites, warehouses and construction sites
- Public space surveillance (CCTV) – using CCTV to identify people or monitor their activities
- Close protection – guarding people against assault or injury
- Cash and valuables in transit – guarding property in secure vehicles
- Key holding – keeping or controlling access to keys
Managers, supervisors and directors who do not do the front line work themselves may need a non-front line licence instead. GOV.UK warns that if you work in the private security industry without an SIA licence, you may be breaking the law.
Which SIA licence should you choose?
Most people starting out choose between three licences. Your choice affects which jobs you can take, so think about the work you want before you book a course.
| Licence | Typical jobs | What else it lets you do | Training (with self-study) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door Supervisor | Pubs, clubs, events, festivals, hospitality venues; also guarding roles | Also covers security guarding | 44 hours over 6 days |
| Security Guard (Security Officer) | Offices, retail, warehouses, logistics sites, construction, reception security | Guarding only | 30 hours over 4 days |
| Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) | Control rooms, shopping centres, local authority monitoring | Also covers CCTV for security guarding | 22 hours over 3 days |
Training hours from the SIA’s “Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered”. Without self-study, courses run longer: 52 hours over 7 days (door supervision), 38 hours over 5 days (security guarding) and 30 hours over 4 days (CCTV).
Why many candidates pick door supervisor: GOV.UK confirms that a door supervisor licence also allows you to carry out the licensable activity of a security guard. In practice that gives you the widest choice of shifts, from weekday site security to weekend venue work. It takes two more training days than the security guard course, so weigh that against the jobs you want.
When security guard makes more sense: if you only want daytime corporate, retail or logistics work and have no interest in licensed premises, the shorter course may be enough.
Step by step: how to get an SIA licence
Step 1: Check you meet the basic criteria
- You must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence.
- In most cases you must have the right to work in the UK. The SIA checks Home Office records directly, so do not contact the Home Office yourself or send a share code unless asked.
- You must pass criminal record checks. If you have lived outside the UK for six continuous months or more in the last ten years, you must provide overseas criminal record checks.
- GOV.UK asks applicants to confirm they meet the criteria in the SIA’s current Get Licensed booklet before applying.
Step 2: Get your first aid certificate
For door supervisor and security guard licences, you need an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you start licence-linked training. GOV.UK lists First Aid at Work (FAW), First Person on Scene (FPOS) and First Response Emergency Care (FREC) as accepted examples. This also applies to refresher training when you renew.
Step 3: Complete the licence-linked qualification
Book your course with an SIA-approved training provider through a recognised awarding organisation. The course covers areas such as conflict management, the law, searching, emergency procedures and, for door supervisors, physical intervention. Ask the provider:
- Is the course delivered in a classroom, and how many days are self-study?
- Does the price include the exam and the first aid course, or are they extra?
- How soon after the course will results be uploaded so you can apply?
Step 4: Gather your identity documents
You must provide one Group A document and two Group B documents.
- Group A examples: a signed, current, valid passport; a DVLA photocard driving licence; a UK birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth; a qualifying biometric residence permit card; an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.
- Group B examples: bank or building society statements, utility bills, council tax statements and certain official letters from the last three to twelve months.
At least one document must show your current address, and you cannot use two documents of the same type. Photocopies, internet printouts and in-branch bank statements are not accepted. Documents not in English need an approved translation at your own cost.
Step 5: Apply online and attend the identity check
- Create an SIA online account, or ask an employer that is an SIA approved contractor to apply on your behalf.
- Complete the nine-section application form. Once submitted, you cannot change it.
- Follow the “next steps” message. In the UK this usually means taking your documents to a Post Office, having your photo taken and paying the fee.
- Track progress under “my applications” in your account.
- The SIA sends its decision by post and in your online account.
Step 6: Wait for the decision
GOV.UK gives no fixed processing time. It depends on whether your information is complete, your criminal record, the right-to-work check and the SIA’s caseload. The SIA offers a decision timescale indicator, but it is an estimate, not a guarantee. Apply as soon as your qualification is on record, and do not accept a start date you cannot meet.
How much does an SIA licence cost in 2026?
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SIA licence application | £204 | From 1 April 2026, for new applications and renewals in every sector |
| Each additional licence in the same application | £102 | Vehicle immobiliser licences (Northern Ireland only) are not discounted |
| Previous fee (to 31 March 2026) | £184 | £204 minus a £20 rebate that has now ended |
| Training course and first aid | Varies by provider | Paid to the training provider, not the SIA |
The licence fee is not refundable, must be paid in full and cannot be paid in instalments. The £20 rebate, which ran from April 2020, ended because the reserves funding it are used up.
Tip: if a training provider or website still quotes £184 as the licence fee, the page is out of date.
How long does an SIA licence last, and how do you renew it?
All SIA licences last three years, except vehicle immobiliser licences, which last one year.
Since 1 April 2025, door supervisors and security guards must complete a refresher qualification before they can renew. According to the SIA, the refresher covers:
- Door supervisors: searching, physical intervention, protecting vulnerable people (including spiking) and terror threat awareness
- Security guards: searching, terror threat awareness and protecting vulnerable people
You also need an up-to-date Emergency First Aid certificate. A door supervisor can take the security guard refresher and switch to a security guard licence if they no longer want door work.
Renewal checklist:
- Check your licence expiry date and set a reminder about four months ahead
- Renew your first aid certificate if it has expired
- Book and pass the refresher course
- Apply to renew and pay the £204 fee
- Tell your agency or employer once your new licence is issued
What could change in 2027? The SIA qualifications consultation
On 28 August 2026 the SIA opened a consultation on changes to licence-linked qualifications. It closes on Friday 23 October 2026. Final specifications are expected in winter 2026, with new qualifications launching later in 2027. Proposals include:
- English language: an additional independent English test, plus more standardised testing by awarding organisations
- First aid: a new security-specific first aid qualification, and making an in-date first aid qualification a licence condition for door supervisors, security guards and close protection operatives
- New content: incident recording, crime scene preservation, Martyn’s Law, responding to drug use, spiking awareness for security guarding and CCTV courses, searching wheelchairs and mobility devices, social media and drones
- Advanced physical intervention: a new post-licence standard for higher-risk deployments
These are proposals, not final rules. If you are planning to train, the qualifications available today remain the route to a licence. If you work in security, you can respond to the consultation on GOV.UK before the deadline.
Martyn’s Law is the other change to watch. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, with an implementation period of at least two years, and the SIA is the regulator. Venues and events are already planning how they will meet the new duties, which keeps trained, reliable security staff in demand.
From licence to job: how to get hired in security
A licence on its own does not guarantee work. Employers and agencies look for reliability, communication and evidence that you can stay calm under pressure.
What security employers look for
- A valid SIA licence for the right activity, with your licence number ready
- Proof of right to work and, often, a five-year work and address history for vetting
- Flexibility: nights, weekends and short-notice cover are common
- Clear spoken and written English for incident reports and radio use
- Customer service experience, especially for retail, reception and hospitality venues
- Smart presentation and good timekeeping
Common security roles and where they fit
| Role | Licence | Typical setting |
|---|---|---|
| Door supervisor | Door Supervisor | Bars, clubs, events, hospitality venues |
| Retail security officer | Security Guard or Door Supervisor | Shops, shopping centres |
| Site / mobile patrol officer | Security Guard or Door Supervisor | Warehouses, logistics hubs, construction |
| Concierge / front-of-house security | Security Guard or Door Supervisor | Offices, residential buildings |
| Event steward with SIA licence | Door Supervisor | Festivals, sports, Christmas events |
| CCTV operator | CCTV | Control rooms, shopping centres |
Pay
Security pay depends on the role, location, shift pattern and client. Every role must pay at least the legal minimum: the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over from 1 April 2026. Check each advert for the hourly rate and any night or weekend premiums, and see our salary negotiation tips before you accept an offer.
Make your CV security-ready
- Put your SIA licence type and expiry date at the top
- List first aid and any extra training, such as counter-terrorism awareness
- Show customer-facing or conflict-handling experience from hospitality, retail or warehouse work
- Give a clear availability statement: “Available nights and weekends from November”
If you are new to the UK, our guide to finding your first job in the UK as an overseas worker explains right-to-work checks and how agencies work.
Seasonal demand
The run-up to Christmas is busy for door supervisors, retail security and event staff. If you want to start quickly, read our Christmas jobs 2026 guide alongside this one, and plan your training so your licence is issued in time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking the wrong course. If you might want venue work, a security guard licence will not cover it.
- Skipping first aid. For door supervisor and security guard training, you need the certificate before the course starts.
- Working before your licence is issued. Unless your employer confirms otherwise in line with SIA rules, do not take licensable shifts until you hold the licence.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an SIA licence in 2026?
The SIA licence fee is £204 from 1 April 2026, for both new applications and renewals. Each additional licence in the same application costs £102. Training and first aid are paid separately to the course provider.
How long does it take to get an SIA licence?
The training takes 3 to 7 days depending on the licence and whether self-study is included. The SIA gives no fixed timescale for its decision; it depends on your checks and its caseload. Use the SIA’s decision timescale indicator for an estimate.
Does a door supervisor licence cover security guarding?
Yes. GOV.UK confirms that a door supervisor licence also allows you to carry out the licensable activity of a security guard.
Do I need first aid training for an SIA licence?
For door supervisor and security guard licences, you need an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before licence-linked training and before refresher training.
How long does an SIA licence last?
Three years for all licences except vehicle immobiliser licences, which last one year.
Do I need refresher training to renew my SIA licence?
Yes, if you are a door supervisor or security guard. Since 1 April 2025 you need a refresher qualification before you can renew.
Can I get an SIA licence if I have lived abroad?
Yes, but if you have lived outside the UK for six continuous months or more in the last ten years, you must provide overseas criminal record checks, and in most cases you must have the right to work in the UK.
Will SIA training change in 2027?
The SIA is consulting on new qualifications, including an independent English test and a security-specific first aid qualification. The consultation closes on 23 October 2026, with new qualifications expected to launch later in 2027.
Ready to start your security career?
MEL places SIA-licensed staff in temporary and permanent security roles alongside our facilities management, logistics, hospitality and healthcare teams. Once your licence is issued:
- Browse current vacancies on our job board
- Register with MEL for free and tell us your licence type and availability
- Employers needing licensed security cover can see our services or contact our team
