Security from £15.95+VAT an hour*
Security from £14.95+VAT an hour*
22 February 2023
If you are going to work in the private security industry, then you will need to be properly licensed and, for most roles, that means qualifying for the SIA Security Guard Licence.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the official regulator of the UK’s private security industry and is supported by the Home Office. It offers two kinds of licence:
As the names suggest, the front-line licence is required for security staff who can be expected to come into immediate contact with members of the public and potential security risks. An example might be a security guard at a premises, door-staff or a guard who protects valuables while in transit. It’s the licence that’s needed by the majority of active security professionals. More details about roles and the relevant licensing requirements can also be found on the Gov.UK website in a section titled “Find out if you need an SIA licence.”\
A non-front-line licence will typically relate to roles that are not public-facing. Examples might include registered key holders in certain organisations. The same licence is also required if, for example, you don’t personally perform front line work but you are a director, partner or manager of a company, and you supervise employees who do perform such public-facing roles. (This applies whether those employees work directly within your organisation or whether your company supplies security staff to other organisations on a contracted basis.)
Before you start to apply for a licence, bear in mind that you must meet certain criteria. You must be over 18, you must have the right to work in the UK, and you must be able to provide recognised forms of identity (such as a passport or photo card driving licence). You will also need to be able to provide details of all your residential addresses over the last five years. You will also need to pass a criminal record check although having a criminal record would not mean an automatic disqualification. A lot depends on the nature of the offence. You must also be in a position to pay the licence fee (currently £190 for 3 years for most roles) and you must be able to supply a current photo. This will be used as part of the standard identify checks but it will also be used when you eventually get your licence and your SIA-approved photo-ID card.
The UK government explains that “Before you apply for a front-line SIA licence, you need to train for a ‘licence-linked’ qualification. This is so we can be sure you have the skills and knowledge you need to hold a licence and do your job safely.”
You can choose where to get that training – e.g. to suit your location and availability – but it must be delivered by an approved training provider. The SIA maintains a searchable list of approved bodies, which you can browse by location and according to the sort of licence you need.
These licence-linked qualifications vary depending on what job role you intend to perform. They are generally awarded following the successful completion of a three-day course, which is tested by three multiple-choice exams. Options include:
Each role comes with its own list of acceptable qualifications that then enable a candidate to apply for a front line SIA licence. These can all be seen on a dedicated page of the Gov.UK page, titled “Check what training you need to get an SIA licence.”
As an example, however, acceptable qualifications for the security Guarding licence include:
To be eligible, the qualification must have been awarded by a government-recognised body such as Highfield Qualifications or the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body – to name just two examples. Importantly, you must also possess a recognised first aid qualification before you can take the relevant training.
The costs of training courses vary according to your choice of provider and the type of package you choose. Some options, for example, enable you to re-take failed exams multiple times without having to pay extra.
Once you have taken your chosen course and received formal confirmation that you’ve passed, you will then be in a position to apply for the SIA front line licence itself. The exact course and qualification requirements will vary according to the role you want to perform but the process and principles are the same.
Assuming that you intend to apply for your licence yourself rather than via an employer, then there are some simple steps to follow.
You begin by creating an account on the SIA website. This will explain the various steps, which are relatively straightforward. Once you have set up the account, you then select the option to ‘start a new application’ and begin fill in the various boxes. There are nine stages in all and you don’t need to complete them all at once; you can save your progress and return to the application later on. You can also complete everything but stages one and nine in any order you like.
Once you have completed all nine stages and checked your answers, you are ready to submit your application. This will include providing copies of any documentation and identification required and, of course, paying the licence fee. (Note, however, that if you have been unemployed and wish to start a career in security, there is a possibility that your application might be paid for by Job Centre Plus or a government funding scheme.)
Once you have submitted your application, you should receive a message from SIA explaining what you need to do next. This stage is mainly about proving your identity so it will typically involve going to your nearest Post Office and taking your various forms of identity with you. Post Office staff will also take a photo of you at the same time.
Be sure to follow the SIA’s instructions carefully and this should be a quick and simple process. The stages are different for people who are living outside the UK, but again, this will be clearly explained.
Security professionals perform very responsible jobs, so the SIA is careful to make all the necessary checks on identity and history. Consequently, the time taken to conduct these checks and award your licence can vary. However, you can avoid unnecessary delays and help to speed things along by answering every question fully and clearly, and by providing all the documents requested.
If your application is accepted, you will then receive a letter in the post as well as confirmation via your online SIA account. Once you have this, you’re licensed and ready to start earning an income from your new career.