How to Get an SIA Licence: Complete 2026 Guide

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) issues several front-line licence types. The three we train for most often are Door Supervisor, Security Guard and CCTV (Public Space Surveillance) Operator. A Door Supervisor licence covers everything a Security Guard licence does, plus licensed premises. If there's any chance you'll ever work the doors of a pub, club, hotel, hospital or event, the Door Supervisor licence is usually the smarter choice for the same SIA licence fee.

If you want a sit-down control-room role, the CCTV licence is the right one. If you want static or patrolling guarding in offices, retail, sites or warehouses and know you'll never work licensed premises, the Security Guard licence is enough.

For every front-line SIA licence you must complete an Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Award delivered by an SIA Approved training centre. The Door Supervisor course is longer than the Security Guard course because it includes an extra Working as a Door Supervisor unit and the mandatory Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.

• Door Supervisor: multi-day Level 2 Award with EFAW built in.
• Security Guard: Level 2 Award covering guarding, conflict management and industry law.
• CCTV Operator: Level 2 Award with a practical control-room assessment.

Since October 2021 the SIA has required a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (or equivalent) qualification for new Door Supervisor licence applicants. Our Door Supervisor course includes this. Security Guard and CCTV applicants do not need EFAW to apply for the licence, though many employers still prefer candidates who hold one.

Once training is finished and certificates are issued, you apply on the SIA's 'Get Licensed' portal. You'll need to select the correct licence type, upload photo ID and proof of address, complete an identity check and pay the SIA application fee. Application fees, DBS charges and processing times are set by the SIA and change from time to time — always check the current figures on the official SIA website.

The SIA runs an enhanced identity check and a criminality check on every applicant. If you have unspent convictions, cautions or ongoing investigations, the SIA reviews them against its published 'Get Licensed' criteria. We cover this in more detail in our SIA Licence with a Criminal Record guide.

SIA processing times vary and are published on the SIA's website. Clean applications typically clear within a few weeks. Any missing information (ID, proof of address, employment history) will pause the clock — check every field carefully before submitting.

Front-line SIA licences are valid for three years. To renew, you must complete SIA Refresher training (previously commonly searched for as 'Top-Up') before your current licence expires. See our SIA Licence Renewal guide for the full process.

• Booking the wrong licence type — Security Guard when you needed Door Supervisor.
• Missing the mandatory EFAW qualification when applying for a Door Supervisor licence.
• Uploading expired or mismatched ID.
• Leaving the Refresher too late and letting your licence lapse.
• Assuming a spent conviction still has to be disclosed — read the SIA guidance.