Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence
What the changes are, when they will happen, and how they affect SIA licence applicants and licence holders.
In 2021 we made some changes to the training you need to take before you can get a front line SIA licence.
The changes were:
- we introduced new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation
- you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence
- you must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence - this includes renewals
We made more changes in 2022:
- we introduced an updated close protection qualification
- you must have the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a close protection licence - this includes renewals
We explain these changes in more detail below.
We have also created a flowchart to explain what the changes mean for people applying for a door supervisor or security guard licence.
Why are we making these changes?
We need to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
- keep the public safe
- follow new working practices
- understand recent changes to the law
- make the best use of new technology
First aid training for door supervisors and security guards
We now expect applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence to complete a first aid qualification before taking their licence-linked training.
You need to do this if either of the following apply:
- you are applying for a licence for the first time
- it has been longer than 3 years since you last held a licence for that activity
You also need to do this if you are renewing your licence.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
The requirement for first aid training will improve your skills as an SIA licence holder. It will not change the obligations you have when responding to an emergency.
What do we mean by “equivalent”?
We accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Your training provider can tell you more about this.
First aid training for close protection operatives
We expect applicants for a close protection licence to complete a first aid qualification at level 3 or above before taking their licence-linked training. Some examples are:
- Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW)
- Level 3 First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
We accept other qualifications. Your training provider can tell you more about this.
Top-up training for some licence holders
Door supervisors and security guards
You must have one of the following before you can apply for, or renew, a door supervisor or security guard licence:
- one of the new qualifications set in place in April 2021
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications, including renewals.
Close protection operatives
You must have one of the following before you can apply for, or renew, a close protection licence:
- the new qualification introduced on 1 April 2022
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications, including renewals.
If you hold a door supervisor licence
If you hold a door supervisor licence you can choose one of the following options:
- take the door supervisor top-up training and renew your door supervisor licence
- take the security guard top-up training and switch to a security guard licence
In either case, you must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you can take the top-up training.
The security guard top-up training is shorter than the door supervisor top-up training, so is likely to be cheaper. However, you should consider the day-to-day duties of the job that you do. If your job involves guarding licensed premises (such as a pub or a club) you will need to renew your door supervisor licence.
If you hold a close protection licence
If you hold a close protection licence you can choose one of the following options:
- take the close protection top-up training and renew your close protection licence
- take the door supervisor top-up training and switch to a door supervisor licence
In either case, you must have the appropriate first aid qualification before you can take the top-up training.
Other changes
More relevant course material
We have moved some training to the ‘common unit’ that is taken by all security operatives except close protection operatives. This includes new training on:
- terror threat awareness
- dealing with emergencies
We have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalysers
- the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
- the close protection course includes a bespoke physical intervention unit, as well as material from the door supervision course needed to allow close protection operatives to work as door supervisors
More practical assessments
We have increased the number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
- application of physical intervention skills for close protection operatives in the private security industry
Find out more
Read Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered to find out more.
Last updated 1 October 2022 + show all updates
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Page updated to show that the changes scheduled for 1 October have come into effect.
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Updated the 'First aid training for close protection operatives' list to now include 'First Aid at Work (FAW)'.
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Updated the section about top-up training to add new information (the option to switch from close protection to door supervision at renewal).
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Page updated to include new information relating to close protection qualifications.
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Updated the text to show that the changes to training made on 1 October have happened.
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Page amended to reflect a new implementation date for the updated close protection qualifications (1 April 2022).
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Added a link to the new 'Changes to SIA licence-linked training: flowchart' page.
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Page updated to show that the changes scheduled for 1 April have come into effect. Also amended the section about top-up training to a) make it clearer and b) add new information (the option to switch from door supervision to security guarding at renewal).
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Corrected the first bullet point (from "on 1 April 2021, we will introduce updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection" to "on 1 April 2021, we will introduce updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation").
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Updated to include a link to 'Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered'.
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Amended the second bullet point to clarify the new requirement (from "you must have a first aid qualification before you can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence" to "you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence").
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First published.