Whether SIA licence holders must always display their licence
Published 21 November 2025
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Request
Can the holder of an SIA licence withhold displaying the licence whilst at work when someone attempts to record it to video, thus avoiding it being uploaded to social media?
Response
The SIA holds the information that you have requested.
An SIA licence holder cannot lawfully withhold wearing their licence at work in order to avoid it being uploaded to social media.
Under the Private Security Act 2001, SIA licence holders must adhere to the conditions attached to their licence. Licence holders must wear their licence while undertaking licensable activity and display it where it can be seen at all times unless:
- it has been reported lost or stolen;
- it is in the possession of the SIA; or
- the work the licence holder undertakes requires them not to be identifiable as a licensed operative (this is known as covert activity)
Covert activity
A licence holder does not have to wear the licence if they can demonstrate that the nature of their licensable activity on that occasion requires that they should not be immediately identifiable as someone engaging in such activity. On such occasions the licence holder must carry their licence on them and be able to produce it on request. This allows store detectives or close protection operatives to perform licensable activities without the need to be identifiable. This cannot apply to vehicle immobilisers.
Who can ask to see the licence?
Whilst SIA licence holders must wear their licence so that it is on display, members of the public do not have the right to ask to see someone’s licence. An SIA licence holder only must produce their licence for inspection on the request of any constable, any member or employee of the SIA or other person authorised by us.
[Ref: FOI 0573-a]