Learn about SIA licence-linked training
SIA licence-linked training: why you must take the training, who is involved and how we keep it up to date.
- From:
- Security Industry Authority
PublishedPublished:- 23 November 2020
- Last
updatedupdated: 715FebruaryJuly20232026 — See all updates
Before you apply for a front line SIA licence, you need to train for a ‘licence-linked’ qualification. This is so we can be sure you have the skills and knowledge you need to hold a licence and do your job safely. The licence-linked training will cover the core areas of your role, but you can take further training if you want to or need to.
Who is involved in SIA licence-linked training?
Training providers
The people who train you do not work for us. We do not receive any of the fees you pay to them. They are private companies whose business is to deliver the training that you need to get an SIA licence.
Training providers are approved by awarding organisations, not by us.
Awarding organisations
The awarding organisations are the ones who send you your qualification certificate. They also upload the details of your qualification into our licensing system.
Awarding organisations develop their qualifications to match our specifications. They approve training providers and quality assure the examination process.
The awarding organisations offering SIA licence-linked qualifications are:
We are ending our endorsement of BIIAB. We will not accept qualifications granted by BIIAB on or after 10 August 2026. We will still accept qualifications granted prior to that.
The SIA
We specify what you need to know and be able to do in your role as a security operative. The awarding organisations base their qualifications on our specifications.
We also endorse the awarding organisations who want to offer SIA licence-linked qualifications.
Qualifications regulatory authorities
Qualifications regulators approve awarding organisations and the qualifications those organisations offer.
The UK qualifications regulators are:
- England - Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (OFQUAL)
- Scotland - Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
- Wales - Qualifications Wales
- Northern Ireland - Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)
Keeping the training up to date
We review the qualifications required for an SIA licence every 5 years. We do this to make sure that they stay up to date with changes to the law, technology, and the way people work.
We consult with the private security industry during every review. We also create expert working groups composed of:
- representatives from the private security industry
- subject matter experts from awarding organisations
Whenever we update the training we take into consideration the National Occupational Standards that are relevant to the private security industry.