Renewing your SIA licence is more than just a procedural task—it’s essential for maintaining your eligibility to work in the UK’s security sector. As of February 2025, the number of active SIA licences has surpassed half a million, reaching 501,232. With the April 2025 deadline approaching, completing your SIA refresher training before applying for renewal is imperative.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has mandated this refresher training to ensure that door supervisors and security guards are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge, including emergency first aid and counter-terrorism awareness. Let’s take a look at the new requirements for SIA licence renewal to stay compliant and take timely action.
Key Insights
- April 2025 Deadline: All security guards and door supervisors must complete refresher training before SIA licence renewal.
- Mandatory Requirement: Refresher training is essential to legally work in UK security.
- Refresher Training Content: Covers updated security protocols, emergency response, and physical intervention (door supervisors only).
- Different from Top-Up: Refresher training applies to all renewals from 2025 onward.
- Non-Compliance Risks: Failing to complete training can result in job loss and work eligibility issues.
- Early Planning: Book training well before your licence expiry to avoid career disruption.
What Is SIA Refresher Training?
The SIA refresher courses are a mandatory qualification introduced by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to ensure that security professionals stay updated with the latest industry standards, safety protocols, and legal regulations. This SIA training is specifically required for door supervisors and security guards who are renewing their SIA licences, reinforcing their skills in emergency response, public safety, and conflict management.
Why Is SIA Refresher Training Necessary?
The refresher training is not just another bureaucratic step—it plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards across the security industry. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Regulatory Compliance: The SIA has made refresher training mandatory for certain roles before licence renewal to ensure all professionals meet the latest security and safety standards.
- Industry Evolution: Security threats, best practices, and legal requirements change over time. This course ensures that security professionals remain effective and adaptable.
- Maintaining Employability: Without completing the required SIA refresher courses, licence holders cannot renew their SIA licence, meaning they will no longer be legally allowed to work in the private security sector.
What Do the SIA Refresher Courses Cover?
The SIA refresher courses include key updates in security protocols that reflect the latest industry developments and legal requirements. The modules typically cover:
- Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
- Application of Physical Intervention in the Private Security Industry (For Door Supervisors Only)
Recommended Read: Guide to SIA Refresher Training
Who Needs to Take an SIA Refresher Course?
The SIA refresher training 2025 applies to security professionals like door supervisors and security guards who are renewing their licences and already hold an SIA top-up qualification. If you haven’t completed SIA top-up training, you may need to take it before enrolling in refresher training.
SIA Refresher Training 2025: What’s Changing?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has introduced new refresher training requirements, set to take full effect by April 2025. This means that security professionals working as door supervisors and security guards must complete specific refresher training before renewing their licences.
This change is part of the SIA’s ongoing efforts to improve industry standards, ensuring that security professionals remain skilled in emergency response, conflict management, and counter-terrorism awareness.
For Door Supervisors
Until 1 April 2025, you can renew your licence if you hold:
- The current qualification (introduced on 1 April 2021), OR
- An older qualification plus a ‘top-up’ qualification, OR
- An older qualification plus the ‘Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)’.
From 1 April 2025 onwards, you must complete the ‘Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)’ before renewing your licence.
For Security Guards
Until 1 April 2025, you can renew your licence if you hold:
- The current qualification (introduced on 1 April 2021), OR
- An older qualification plus a ‘top-up’ qualification, OR
- An older qualification plus the ‘Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)’.
From 1 April 2025 onwards, you must complete the ‘Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)’ before your next renewal.
Top-Up Training vs. SIA Refresher Training: What’s the Difference?
Many security professionals are unsure whether they need SIA top-up training or refresher training for their SIA licence renewal. The key difference is:
- Top-up training is for those who qualified before April 2021 and need to update their skills to meet 2021 SIA standards.
- SIA refresher training is for those renewing their licence in 2025 and beyond, ensuring they stay compliant with new industry updates.
Which Training Do You Need?
| Licence Status | Top-Up Training Required? | SIA Refresher Training Required? |
| Issued before April 2021, and no top-up taken | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Issued before April 2021, and top-up completed | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (from 2025) |
| Issued after April 2021 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (from 2025) |
If you’re unsure whether you need top-up training or refresher training, check out our full guide on SIA Top-Up vs. SIA Refresher Training.
SIA Refresher Courses for Security Guards and Door Supervisors
The refresher training is tailored to ensure that security guards and door supervisors stay updated with the latest industry regulations and best practices. While both roles share common training elements, door supervisors require additional training in physical intervention techniques, making their refresher course slightly different.
SIA Security Guard Refresher Training
The SIA security guard refresher training is essential for maintaining a valid SIA licence and ensuring security professionals are well-equipped to handle modern security challenges. The training includes:
- Searching procedures
- Vulnerability recognition and awareness training
- Terror threats and the role of security officers
Security guards working in retail, corporate, and public spaces will benefit from this training by gaining updated skills to manage threats and emergencies effectively.
SIA Door Supervisor Refresher Training
The door supervisor refresher training includes all elements of security guard refresher training but with an additional focus on:
- Safe physical intervention techniques
- Post-incident management
- Legal considerations of physical intervention
Since door supervisors often work in high-risk environments, completing the refresher training is critical to maintaining compliance with the latest SIA regulations.
Recommended Read: Upgrade From Security Guard to Door Supervisor
What Happens If You Miss the SIA Refresher Training Deadline?
Failing to complete your SIA refresher course before your licence renewal deadline can have serious consequences, such as:
- No legal work – An expired SIA licence means you cannot work in security.
- Job loss risk – Employers won’t hire or retain unlicensed security staff.
- Delayed renewal – Expired licences may require extra checks or full retraining.
- Higher costs – You may need to retake full SIA training, which costs more.
To avoid these, make sure to check your SIA licence expiry at the earliest. Don’t risk your career—schedule your refresher training today!
Recommended Read: Can I Renew My SIA Licence Online?
FAQs on SIA Refresher Course & Licence Renewal
How much is an SIA refresher course?
The cost of an SIA refresher course varies depending on the training provider and location. On average, prices start from £99.99. It’s recommended to book early to secure the best rates and avoid last-minute delays in your SIA licence renewal.
How long is the SIA refresher course?
The SIA refresher training typically takes 1-2 days, depending on the course. The Security Guard Refresher course is completed in one day, whereas the Door Supervisor Refresher course is completed in two days.
Do I have to do SIA top-up training every 3 years?
No, SIA top-up training is only required if you initially trained before April 2021. However, from April 2025, all security guards and door supervisors must complete refresher training before every licence renewal.
How long after your SIA badge expires can you renew?
You can renew your SIA licence within 3 years of its expiry. If your licence expired more than 3 years ago, you must retake the full SIA training course instead of just a refresher.
Can you do the SIA upskilling course online?
Some parts of the SIA refresher courses can be completed online, such as the mandatory e-learning training on first aid. However, key modules like physical intervention training must be completed in person.
Stay Compliant and Secure Your Future with SIA Refresher Training
Completing your SIA refresher training is not just a requirement—it’s essential for staying legally compliant, employable, and prepared for the evolving security industry. With the April 2025 deadline fast approaching, waiting too long could put your SIA licence renewal at risk.
At Get Licensed, we make the process simple by offering SIA-approved refresher training for security guards and door supervisors across the UK. Our door supervisor refresher course and security guard refresher course cover everything you need to meet the new SIA renewal requirements.Don’t wait until it’s too late! Secure your SIA training spot now and keep your career on track.
Leave a Reply