The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator for the UK private security industry and issues SIA licences.
It has two main duties: the compulsory SIA licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry; and management of the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), which assesses industry suppliers against certain criteria.
The SIA ensures that licensed security operatives are properly trained and qualified to carry out their job, with licensing covering areas such as manned guarding, key holding and vehicle immobilising, CCTV operation, door supervision and more.
The ACS is based on operational and performance standards that suppliers of private security services need to meet in order to achieve ‘Approved Contractor’ status, which gives assurance that a contractor is committed to quality. Once a licence has been issued, the licence-holder’s details are placed on a searchable register.
Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
SIA licence types
There are two types of SIA licence: a frontline licence, which is required if undertaking licensable activity, other than key-holding activities; and a non-frontline licence, which is required for those who manage, supervise and/or employ individuals who engage in licensable activity, as long as no frontline activity is carried out.
The manned guarding licence is broken down into the following activities:
- Cash and valuables in transit – this licence is required when guarding property against destruction, damage, being stolen, or being dishonestly taken or obtained, and involving the secure transportation of property in vehicles specially manufactured (or adapted) for such a purpose.
- Close protection – this licence is required when guarding one or more individuals against assault or injuries that might be suffered as a result of the unlawful conduct of others.
- Door supervisor licence (Door Supervision) – this licence is required if manned guarding is undertaken in relation to licensed premises, except where the activity only involves the use of CCTV, or it falls within the definition of cash and valuables in transit or close protection.
- Public space surveillance (CCTV) – this licence is required when manned guarding is carried out through the use of CCTV (e.g. the CCTV operator) to monitor the activities of a member of the public, or identify a person.
- Security guard – this licence is required when manned guarding activity doesn’t fall under the descriptions of door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, or public space surveillance (CCTV) is undertaken.
A key-holding licence is required when keeping custody of, or controlling access to, any key or similar device for operating a lock, with certain qualifications. Licensing of vehicle immobilisers applies to Northern Ireland only.
In July 2016, the SIA introduced a new online licensing system, allowing individuals to register for online accounts and apply for or renew licences online. The website also allows individuals to change their personal details remotely.
Companies can register for online business accounts and have access to new products, such as watchlists, which allow them to check the licensed status of their staff.
SIA-approved contractors have access to Licence Management and Licence Assist services, allowing them to apply online on behalf of consenting staff.
The Licence Assist service also keeps employers informed when a licence is granted to one of their employees, and allows employers to check the licensable status of licence-holders.
Providing all the same benefits, the Licence Management service allows employers to carry out identity checks for new applicants without having to visit a post office, and allows employers to update their employee’s details on their behalf.
In 2014 the SIA sponsored a study into the state of training, licensing and professionalisation in the UK security industry.
SIA licence cost
The cost of an SIA licence application to individuals has been reduced from 1 April 2020. Individual licences for all sectors will cost £190, down £20 from £210. These last for three years.
A front line vehicle immobiliser licence runs for just one year for the same price. The reduction applies to both new applicants and anyone renewing existing licences.
Covering the cost of processing the licence application, this fee is non-refundable. A licence holder paying the fee themselves can claim tax relief against their taxable income.
Each additional licence – some professionals require more than one depending on their role – will be discounted by 50%.
Find out more about prices and how to pay.
How to get an SIA licence for free
There are several ways to avoid paying for an SIA licence. Your employer may agree to fund your SIA training course, perhaps with you repaying the fee in installments out of your salary.
If you’re unemployed, the government’s Skill Funding Agency might fund the fee if you’re aged between 19 and 24 and a UK resident for at least three years.
The Job Centre may fund your SIA licence training if you’ve been unemployed for around a year and working in the sector is part of your job-seeking plan.
Find out more about how to get a free SIA licence.
SIA licence renewal
SIA licences don’t renew automatically, so you should keep track of when it expires in order to carry on working legally.
The SIA recommends applying for renewal as early as possible to avoid the risk of any delay that might prevent you from working for a time. Licences can be renewed up to four months before their expiration.
Applying early won’t truncate the length of your licence – the new licence will simply commence when your current one expires.
A licence renewal costs the same as a new application (£190).
Renewals can be undertaken either by yourself, or via your employer. The Licence Assist and Licence Management services are available for employers to do this, though are only available to SIA approved contractors.
Find out more about renewing your SIA licence.
SIA licence checker
All licence holders are visible on a register, which is freely available to the public on the SIA website, in order to create transparency and discourage rogue operators. The SIA must keep the register up to date to comply with section 12 of the Private Security Industry Act.
The register can be searched by licence number or by a combination of personal information – though holders are assured that their addresses are not published. Included in the information is role (front line or non-front line), activity (e.g. door supervisor, CCTV operator, security officer, etc.), licence expiry date and licence status.
SIA licence training
To secure a front-line SIA licence you must offer evidence that they are properly qualified to do their job. This means obtaining an SIA-endorsed qualification.
However, the SIA says that exemptions might be granted for “some previously existing qualifications in security-related disciplines”.
Different qualifications are needed for different licences, which the SIA details on its website, covering the training needed for:
- Cash & Valuables in Transit
- Close Protection
- Door Supervisors
- Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)
- Security Guards
- Vehicle Immobilisers
There are no training and qualifications required for a specific key holding licence – though be aware that call-outs may result in the undertaking of additional activities that would need to be covered by the appropriate front line licence.
Given the seriousness of its role, the private security sector has been susceptible to reputational damage caused by incompetent and negligent operators. This emphasis on training is part of a wider industry effort to professionalise the sector, promote competence and improve the industry’s public image. In March 2020, the Authority held a skills summit, designed to cover how the future skills needs of the industry can be met.
Find out more about SIA training.
SIA licence update
The above information could change at any time. It is important to stay abreast of SIA updates around licensing information by signing up to SIA emails, so that you aren’t caught out.
In 2018 the SIA agreed that all businesses offering security services should be subject to mandatory business licensing.
In early 2021, it was announced that changes were being made to the training requirements for those looking to obtain a frontline SIA licence. These include first-aid qualification training requirements, top-up training, and certain training subject areas that are now deemed critical to all roles, such as terror threat awareness and dealing with emergencies. These are set to come into force from April and October 2021.
SIA licence contact
If your employer is unable to answer any SIA-related queries you may have, you can contact the SIA directly.
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