Can You Get an SIA Licence with a Criminal Record?
An honest, practical guide to SIA licensing with a criminal record — what gets disclosed, what gets refused, and how to apply.
The honest answer
Yes, in many cases you can — but it depends on the offence, the sentence and how long ago it was. The SIA reviews each application individually using their published 'Get Licensed' criteria.
Spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 do not need to be disclosed to the SIA in most cases. Unspent convictions almost always need disclosure and may result in refusal depending on the offence type.
Offences that usually result in refusal
Recent violent offences (within 5 years), sexual offences, terror-related offences and offences involving dishonesty in a security role are very likely to result in licence refusal regardless of context.
What to do before you book
Before paying for any training, contact the SIA directly or speak to us — we deal with these questions every week and can give you a confidential, no-judgment view of your chances.
If your situation is borderline, we can also help you submit a strong application with supporting evidence (employment references, rehabilitation evidence, character references).
Ready to start your SIA training?
Weekly courses across Barking, Ilford, Whitechapel and Rainham. £400 all-inclusive on the SIA Door Supervisor course.