SIA consults on changes to security licence qualifications
The Security Industry Authority has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the content and requirements of licence-linked qualifications.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is seeking views on a range of proposed changes to the licence-linked qualifications, and the pre-requisites required to obtain a licence. The proposals are the result of industry engagement and a strategic review carried out this year.
The regulator has today (28 August 2026) launched a public consultation on its proposals including:
- updated specifications with new proposed content requirements for the training and qualifications required to get a licence
- changing the ways in which the assessment of learners’ ability to speak and understand English is carried out, including requiring an additional independent test to provide greater confidence in communication skills
- changes to how learners show they are competent in first aid, including a new security-specific first aid qualification more closely aligned with the types of incidents security operatives will encounter in their work
This follows extensive engagement and independent research with members of the private security industry and other stakeholders.
The research carried out as part of the review confirmed that 91% of licence-holders surveyed considered first aid skills to be important to their role and over half had used their first aid training on the job. Given the importance of first aid skills to the role, the SIA is proposing that holding an in-date first aid qualification becomes a licence condition for close protection operatives, door supervisors and security guards, meaning the SIA may take action against operatives who let their first aid certificate lapse.
81% of survey respondents confirmed the importance of communication skills. A new, additional, independent English language test is being proposed, alongside proposals for more standardised testing from awarding organisations, to improve confidence in this and ensure learners have the level of functional English required to safely conduct their duties.
The research and stakeholder engagement highlighted an increase in both the levels of crime and violence that operatives face, especially in the retail environment. With SIA research showing that 43% of licence holders are having to deal with increasing levels of violence at work, the SIA is proposing changes to the conflict management skills specification to include more real-life scenarios for security guarding operatives. It is also proposing a first of its kind, post-licence standard in advanced physical intervention skills, suitable for higher-risk deployments. The consultation asks if this new standard should be voluntary or compulsory.
More widely, the consultation seeks views on proposed changes to the content specifications for the qualifications. The new proposed standards and requirements will ensure security operatives have the essential, safety-critical skills and knowledge to keep them and the public safe. The updates in the common unit module include:
- recording incidents and crime scene preservation
- changes to the law, including awareness of Martyn’s Law
- changes to how security operatives respond to drug use
- extending spiking awareness training (only applicable currently to door supervision and close protection training) to security guarding and CCTV operators courses
- improved content and training on searching wheelchairs and other mobility devices
- dealing with social media and ‘auditing’ activity, and emerging technologies such as drones
Alongside this is also refreshed counter-terrorism awareness content for security operatives in a new single learning package, developed with policing partners.
The SIA is also asking if licence integration allowing close protection licence holders to carry out door supervision and security guarding roles should end, and if the first aid training requirements for close protection operatives should change.
Tim Archer, Executive Director of Licensing and Standards at the SIA, said:
As the demands on private security operatives evolve, their skills and knowledge need to keep pace. Thank you to all those members of the security industry and other stakeholders who have participated in the review so far. This review has been a strategic reset and comes at an important time for the security industry.
It is important that the public, security employers and the SIA have trust and confidence that those with an SIA licence have been properly tested on the basic skills and knowledge they need to do the job. This includes their ability to understand and communicate effectively in English and that when they respond to keep the public safe, they have the right first aid skills to help.
We review the SIA licence-linked qualifications every five years, but this time we have done this differently. We have listened to the views of a larger number of people on what they wanted to see change earlier on. We have also looked not only at the content and technical specifications of the qualifications, but also at the essential pre-requisites for doing the job – first aid and the ability to speak English.
These proposals have been worked up based on what we’ve heard from our extensive stakeholder engagement so far. As part of this public consultation, we are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in the private security industry, from front line licence holders, employers, businesses and buyers of security, training providers and trainers, to safety stewards thinking about becoming a licensed security operative and the public. Ensuring licensed security operatives have up to date and relevant skills is crucial for their job of keeping the public safe and property and premises protected and secure and we all have an interest in getting this right.
The consultation closes on Friday 23 October 2026. Final specifications will be published in winter 2026, ahead of new qualifications launching later in 2027.
Those interested are invited to respond. Details of how to do this are available from the SIA’s consultation page.
Background information
About the SIA
The SIA is the UK security regulator, and responsible for the compulsory licensing of individuals across the UK carrying out certain private security roles. Over 450,000 individuals hold over 510,000 SIA licences across different licence sectors.
The SIA was first established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to contribute to public protection, setting and improving standards in the private security industry.
The licensing criteria and standards that the SIA sets ensure the consistency of vetting decisions and training requirements for entering the security profession. They provide a level of assurance that licensed operatives have the basic skills they need to do their job and can be trusted to provide help to the public.
SIA licensing requirements
Before they can apply for or renew an SIA licence, applicants need to have obtained a recognised qualification to prove they have undergone the training and passed the practical and written tests confirming they have been assessed as competent in one of the following areas:
- cash and valuables in transit
- close protection
- door supervision
- public space surveillance (CCTV)
- security guarding
- vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland only)
SIA licence-linked qualifications
The training for the qualifications is provided by third party commercial organisations. The SIA approves the specifications for learning. These specifications form the basis of the SIA licence-linked qualifications. The (currently 5) awarding organisations develop the units, learning outcomes and indicative content. The third-party training providers approved by the awarding organisations devise the training and courses to support the examinations and assessments.
The SIA does not regulate the qualifications, private sector training providers, or awarding organisations. The SIA has no specific legal powers over them or the delivery of training. Powers to regulate qualifications through the approval, monitoring and sanctioning of awarding organisations are vested in the qualifications regulators: Ofqual and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The SIA’s strategic review
In late 2025, the SIA launched a new strategic review of the standards it prescribes that form the basis for licence-linked qualifications and training. The purpose of the review is to make sure the SIA can be confident that the standards it sets, and the way in which operatives demonstrate they have the required knowledge and skills, continues to keep pace with expectations of the role, especially in regard to public safety.
The review will result in new licence-linked qualifications, to be introduced in 2027, and changes to the prerequisite requirements for a licence including a valid first aid qualification and assurance on levels of English.
The proposed changes to the draft specifications which form the basis of the qualifications, were developed with 44 sector experts and an advisory group of senior security industry leaders and counter-terrorism policing partners.
The SIA is separately also working with awarding organisations to strengthen oversight of how licence-linked qualifications are assessed, including making written examinations less vulnerable to cheating and abuse.
Independent research was conducted with the industry and partners, including front-line operatives, security employers, buyers, trade associations, and the police. More than 5,000 people took part in surveys, webinars and consultation exercises. A summary of the research with 1,442 licence holders is also being published today, on the same webpage as the consultation documents.