To get an SIA licence you must be 18 or over, complete a licence-linked qualification with an approved training provider, pass the Security Industry Authority’s identity, criminal record and right to work checks, and pay the licence fee. In 2026 the fee is £204 for a licence that lasts three years.
The process is the same for every front line licence, but the training differs by role. This guide walks through each step, the cost, the timescales and the points that most often delay an application. Everything here was checked against the SIA’s guidance on GOV.UK in November 2026.
Who needs an SIA licence?
The SIA decides whether you need a licence by the activity you carry out, not by your job title. Contracted staff doing licensable work need a licence. Staff employed directly by a business usually do not, with the notable exception of door supervisors at licensed premises. The SIA sets this out in its guidance on finding out if you need an SIA licence.
Licensable activities include security guarding, door supervision, public space surveillance (CCTV), close protection, cash and valuables in transit and key holding. For what a licence does and does not allow you to do once you have it, see our guide to what powers security guards have in the UK.
Types of SIA licence and the training each one needs
Front line licences require a licence-linked qualification before you can apply. Key holding and non-front line licences do not.
SIA licence types and licence-linked qualifications
| Licence | What it covers | Qualification needed |
|---|---|---|
| Security guard | Guarding premises, property and people from theft, damage or disorder | Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry (Scotland: Award for Security Officers at SCQF Level 6) |
| Door supervisor | Controlling entry and keeping order at licensed premises | Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry (Scotland: Award for Door Supervisors at SCQF Level 6) |
| Public space surveillance (CCTV) | Operating CCTV in public spaces | Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) |
| Close protection | Protecting individuals from harm | Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry |
| Key holding | Holding keys and responding to alarm call-outs | No qualification required |
The SIA publishes the current list of accepted qualifications and awarding organisations in its guidance on what training you need for an SIA licence. Check it before you book a course, because accepted awarding bodies change.
How to get an SIA licence step by step
1. Check you are eligible
You must be 18 or over and, in most cases, have the right to work in the UK. You will also need to pass criminal record checks. The SIA’s guidance on getting a licence with a criminal record explains which offences count and for how long.
2. Get a first aid qualification
For security guard, door supervisor and close protection licences you need a first aid qualification before you can take the licence-linked training. It must be valid for at least another 12 months when you start the course.
3. Complete licence-linked training with an approved provider
You must train with a provider approved by an awarding organisation. The SIA lets you search for an approved training provider. If this is your first licence, your qualification must have been awarded within the last 3 years.
4. Create an SIA online account and apply
Once your awarding organisation has told the SIA you have passed, you can complete the nine-section application form in your SIA online account. You cannot submit a front line application without the qualification on record.
5. Prove your identity and pay the fee
In the UK you will usually be asked to take your identity documents to a Post Office, where staff check them and take your photo. You pay the licence fee at that point if you are paying yourself. The fee is not refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful.
6. Wait for the decision
The SIA cannot give a fixed timescale, because it depends on your address history, criminal record, right to work checks and how many applications are waiting. You can use the SIA’s decision timescale indicator for an estimate. Do not carry out licensable work until your licence has been granted.
How much does an SIA licence cost in 2026?
The SIA licence application fee is £204 for one licence, which lasts three years. The fee rose to £204 on 1 April 2026, when the SIA stopped applying a £20 rebate it had used since 2020.
If you apply for more than one licence in the same application, the first costs £204 and each additional licence costs £102. Since 1 June 2026 this 50% discount applies only to licences applied for together, not to a second licence applied for later.
The licence fee is only part of the cost. Training, the first aid qualification and travel to a Post Office are separate, and course prices vary by provider, so ask each provider what is included before you book.
Applying through an employer
If your employer is an SIA Approved Contractor, it can apply for your licence on your behalf and pay the fee. You still create your own SIA online account, link it to your employer’s account and complete the identity checks. Anubis Group (FM) Ltd holds Approved Contractor Scheme status for security guarding and door supervision, so if you are applying to work with us, ask about the route that applies to your role.
Renewing an SIA licence
Licences last three years, and you apply to renew before yours expires. To renew a security guard, door supervisor or close protection licence you need the full licence-linked qualification and the relevant refresher qualification. Your first aid qualification must also be valid for at least another 12 months. The SIA explains the process on its page about how to renew your SIA licence.
Training for an SIA licence with Anubis
The Anubis Training Academy is accredited by SFJ Awards and has delivered SIA Door Supervisor courses from Wick to Brighton. Courses cover door supervision, security guarding, close protection, spectator safety and first aid. Check the SIA’s approved provider search and contact the Academy for current dates and prices.
Once licensed, you might work in manned guarding, door supervision or close protection, or move into concierge security. We list current vacancies on our careers page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an SIA licence last?
Most SIA licences last three years. A vehicle immobiliser licence, which applies only in Northern Ireland, lasts one year.
Can I work while my application is being processed?
No. You must hold your licence before you carry out licensable work. Working without a licence is a criminal offence, so wait for the decision.
Can I get an SIA licence with a criminal record?
Possibly. It depends on the offence and how long ago it happened. The SIA publishes a criminal record indicator that lets you check before you pay for training or a licence.
Do I need first aid training before an SIA course?
For security guard, door supervisor and close protection training, yes. Your first aid qualification must be valid for at least another 12 months when you take the course.
Do I need an SIA licence for key holding?
Key holding is a licensable activity, but it needs no training or qualification. If a call-out would also involve manned guarding activity, you need the front line guarding licence and its qualification as well.
Is the Scottish door supervisor qualification different?
Yes. In Scotland, door supervisor and security officer qualifications are offered at SCQF Level 6, alongside the Level 2 awards used elsewhere. The SIA’s training guidance lists the accepted qualifications.
If you are considering a career in the industry, or you are a business that wants licensed, trained staff, call 0800 121 6576 or contact us to talk it through.
