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SIA Licences

SIA Licence – Your
Official Pass to
Working In Security

Q: How do I apply for an SIA licence?

Take the required training course and clear the exams. Once done, you can apply through the SIA website.

Q: How long does it take to get an SIA licence?

Most SIA security courses are completed in 4 to 6 days, although close protection training takes longer. After completing your training, you can submit your licence application and it will typically be processed within 3 weeks.

An SIA licence allows you to work legally in the UK’s
private security industry. Complete the required training
course and submit your application to get your SIA licence
and start earning fast in a growing industry.

Get my SIA licence

Which licence is right for me?

Fast: Same-day results

Clear: Step-by-step support

Trusted: 400,000+ trained

Proven: 95% pass rate

Legal proof you're qualified to work
in security.

Required for roles like door supervisor &
security guard.

Issued after training, checks &
approval.

Get an SIA licence in 3 easy steps

Ready to start working in security? Here’s exactly what you need to do — from training
to SIA licence application.

Explore Licences

Step 1

Get Trained

Book your choice of SIA licence course in
just a few minutes.

Step 2

Get Licensed

Complete training & ID checks, and then
apply for your SIA licence.

Step 3

Start Working

Find shifts fast with access to top security
job boards.

Door Supervisor Licence

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Security Guard Licence

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CCTV Licence

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Close Protection Licence

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CVIT Licence

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Drone Licence

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What are the requirements for an SIA licence?

Before you can apply for your SIA licence, you must:

Be 18 years or older

Possess the right to work in the UK

Pass a recognised SIA licence course

Hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate (for some licences)

Clear a criminal background check

We guide all our learners through the process, making it easier to meet the
SIA licence document requirements without confusion.

Need more info? Read the full SIA Licence process.

Compare SIA licences

Different roles in the security industry require different training and licences.

Select a job role to see which licence is right for you.

Door Supervisor
Patrol Officer
Security Officer
CCTV Operator
Retail Security
Nightclub/Doorman
Revenue Protection
Static Security Guard
Control Room Officer
Security Concierge
Bodyguard
VIP Security

Door Supervisor Licence

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Security Guard Licence

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CCTV Operator Licence

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Close Protection Licence

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Career & Earning potential

How much can you earn?

Earning potential

up to £23 per hour
up to £48k per annum

Earning potential

up to £18 per hour
up to £37k per annum

Earning potential

up to £20 per hour
up to £42k per annum

Earning potential

up to £100 per hour
up to £60k per annum

Where can you work?

Retail, events, offices, licensed premises, static guarding, manned guarding - covers all security guarding roles

Where can you work?

Static guarding, manned guarding, key-holding, retail

Where can you work?

CCTV operator, control room, public space surveillance

Where can you work?

Bodyguard, VIP security, maritime, asset protection, international assignments

Training & Costs

Training duration
The length of the course

Course length

6 days

Course length

4 days

Course length

3 days

Course length

16-19 days

Training fee
Cost of the training and exam
(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £249.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £189.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £219.99

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

Training from

from £1,994

(^*Prices inclusive of VAT)

SIA licence fee
Cost of the SIA application

SIA application cost

£184

SIA application cost

£184

SIA application cost

£184

SIA application cost

£184

Time to recover costs
How long you have to work
before you recover the costs

Time to recover costs

6 days

Time to recover costs

5 days

Time to recover costs

5 days

Time to recover costs

4 days

Course Dates More Info

Renewing your SIA licence

SIA licences don’t last forever—most need to be renewed every three years. To stay legally compliant and avoid work disruption, make sure you plan your licence renewal ahead of time and complete the required SIA refresher training.

Renew your SIA licence View refresher courses

Real stories from real people

from

32,443 reviews

4.8 out of 5

Excellent Trustpilot reviews

Leeds, Door Supervisor Refresher — August 2025

Book this course in Leeds

from

9,517 reviews

4.9 out of 5

Rating

Plymouth, Door Supervisor Training — August 2025

Book this course in Plymouth

Wonderful experience being trained by…

Asuenimhen Harrison

Nov 06, 2025

"Wonderful experience being trained by Ben McCarty. He knows his job very well. Give us the trainees opportunities to express ourselves, ask questions and respond to them accordingly. But he is sometimes too fast with words that some of us who are not English native speakers sometimes find it a little difficult to follow along. But he’s a great trainer."

Sheffield, Door Supervisor Training — August 2025

Book this course in Sheffield

Calleb Dempster

Door Supervisor

Door Supervisor & First Aid course

Steve Blaker

Nov 03, 2025

“The whole course was well taught and delivered in a professional manner. My instructor, James Gilles, was very knowledgeable over all subjects covered in the door supervisor and the first aid course. any questions raised were answered immediately and a full explanation given. 10/10 for the whole experience & the support from Get Licensed."

Bromley, Door Supervisor Training — August 2025

Book this course in Bromley

Seona Deuchar

Door Supervisor

Sel0121 Nov 16, 2023

Completed the DS Top up course with Get licensed and passed. Adame who trained us was great, very professional and down to earth guy. Even though he’s had various jobs and years of experience in security he just treats you like a equal, no better than anyone attitude which is good. Professional training by trainers who WANT you to pass not a back street company. Will be definitely back again for further training. Thank you.

95%

Pass Rate

View all reviews

Not sure where to start?
We'll clear it up!

The SIA licence is a legal requirement to work in the private security industry in the UK. Holding this licence allows you to work in various security roles and proves you’ve completed training and passed background checks.

Take the required SIA licence training course and clear the exams. Once done, you can apply through the SIA website.

Most SIA security licence courses are completed in 4 to 6 days, although close protection training takes longer. After completing your training, you can submit your licence application, and it will typically be processed within 3 weeks.

An SIA licence application fee is £184, not including the training cost.

No, you must wait until your licence is approved or renewed. Working without an SIA licence is illegal.

An SIA licence is valid for 3 years, after which it needs to be renewed.

At Get Licensed, we simplify the entire process, from helping you choose the right SIA licence course to guiding you through the application process. Our SIA licence courses include training for door supervisors , security guards , CCTV operators , and close protection officers . Get started today!