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Statutory guidance

SIA: Get Licensed

This document sets out the rules the SIA uses to make licensing decisions.

Updates to this page

From:
Security Industry Authority
Published:
1 April 2021
Last updated:
21 May 2026
Show all updates

  1. Following the publication of Get Licensed December 2025, it was identified by the Home Office that insufficient consultation took place between the Home Office and the Northern Ireland Executive. In accordance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001, before the Secretary of State can approve criteria or revise criteria, they much first consult the Scottish Government and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. To address this, the document is being re-issued as Get Licensed May 2026 following completion of the correct consultation process. There are no changes to this document.

  2. Replaced the document with the version published on 1 December 2025.

  3. Updated Get Licensed document.

  4. Replaced the document with the version published on 29 July 2022. The new version updates the criteria relating to the qualifications required for a close protection licence. It also removes a small number of offences from the list of relevant offences and changes the descriptions of a small number of other offences.

  5. Replaced the document with the version published on 1 April 2022. The new version contains updated information relating to the qualifications required for a close protection licence.

  6. Replaced the document with the version published on 1 October 2021.

  7. First published.

Documents

Get Licensed

PDF, 2.08 MB, 133 pages

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Details

Read ‘Get Licensed’ to understand the criteria you must meet in order to hold an SIA licence.

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