Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence
What the changes are, when they will happen, and how they affect SIA licence applicants and licence holders.
We are making some changes to the training you need to take before you can get a front line SIA licence. These changes will happen in April and October 2021.
The changes are:
- on 1 April 2021, we will introduce updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection
- from 1 April 2021, you must have a first aid qualification before you can
applytake the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence - on 1 October 2021, we will introduce updated close protection qualifications
- from 1 October 2021, you must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence – this includes renewals
Why are we making these changes?
We need to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
- keep the public safe
- follow new working practices
- understand recent changes to the law
- make the best use of new technology
New requirement: first aid training
We already expect applicants for a close protection licence to complete a first aid qualification before taking their licence-linked training.
From 1 April 2021, we will also expect applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence to do the same.
You will need to do this if either of the following apply:
- you are applying for a licence for the first time
- it has been longer than 3 years since you last held a licence for that activity
From 1 October 2021, you will also need to do this if you are renewing your licence.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
What do we mean by “equivalent”?
We will accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Your training provider can tell you more about this.
New requirement: top-up training
From 1 October 2021, you must have one of the following before you can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence:
- one of the new qualifications introduced on 1 April
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications submitted on or after 1 October, including renewals. If you submit your application before this date, you will not need take additional training.
Other changes
More relevant course material
We have moved training that is critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:
- terror threat awareness
- dealing with emergencies
We have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- the close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
- the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalysers
- the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
More practical assessments
We have increased the number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
Last updated 8 February 2021 + show all updates
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Amended the second bullet point to clarify the new requirement (from "you must have a first aid qualification before you can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence" to "you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence").
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First published.
Update history
2025-04-01 09:46
Page updated to show that the changes scheduled for 1 April have come into effect.
2025-02-21 09:46
Updated the page to remove out of date content and to make it clearer.
2024-09-09 17:05
Updated with information that was originally published on 16 August as a GOV.UK guidance page. This brings both sets of information into one place.
2022-10-01 09:00
Page updated to show that the changes scheduled for 1 October have come into effect.
2022-09-02 16:38
Updated the ‘First aid training for close protection operatives’ list to now include ‘First Aid at Work (FAW)’.
2022-07-29 14:33
Updated the section about top-up training to add new information (the option to switch from close protection to door supervision at renewal).
2022-04-01 09:09
Page updated to include new information relating to close protection qualifications.
2021-10-01 09:02
Updated the text to show that the changes to training made on 1 October have happened.
2021-04-01 10:07
Page updated to show that the changes scheduled for 1 April have come into effect. Also amended the section about top-up training to a) make it clearer and b) add new information (the option to switch from door supervision to security guarding at renewal).
2021-02-16 13:56
Updated to include a link to 'Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered'.
2021-02-08 13:49
Amended the second bullet point to clarify the new requirement (from “you must have a first aid qualification before you can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence” to “you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence”).
2021-02-05 11:54
First published.