If you’re unsure about the requirements of the SIA licences for your UK security company, then worry no more. Our comprehensive guide unpacks everything you need to know – from who needs one to the advantages of holding a SIA licence. Get compliant and elevate your security business with PARiM.

What is the SIA licence?

The Security Industry Authority(SIA) was established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to regulate the private security industry in England, Scotland, and Wales. It oversees licensing for various roles, including security guards, door supervisors, CCTV operators, and many more.

The SIA licence is a mandatory legal requirement for any regulated security business in the UK that provides security personnel under a contract and for those undertaking any private security role. Working in private security without an SIA licence in the UK is a criminal offence.

While SIA licences are a legal requirement for many, they’re also an important signal to your prospective clients. Many clients may start their search for a security partner by searching for SIA-approved contractors. Due to the rules and regulations that form gaining and keeping an SIA licence, it shows that your staff have been trained to industry standards by a government-approved trainer and course and are qualified for the role licensed.

As SIA licences don't renew automatically, security companies need to ensure that all staff members will have their SIA security licence renewed or possess a new SIA licence.

Do I need an SIA licence?

As of 2020, most private security workers need an SIA licence, but some exceptions exist. According to SIA guidance, those who do need an SIA licence include:

Regulated security businesses that offer services involving "licensable activities" performed under a "contract for services."

Licensable Activities: Specific security tasks requiring individual SIA licences, such as security guarding, close protection, door supervision, etc.
Contract for Services: This means the security company provides its security personnel to another organization under a contract.

If your security company acts as a middleman, supplying security guards with the proper SIA licenses to work for clients under contracts, then you'll need an SIA license to operate legally.

Who doesn't need an SIA licence?

There are certain exemptions in the UK where individuals may not be required to hold a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to work in security roles. Some of the common exemptions include:

In-house security staff: If a company or organization employs security personnel solely to provide security for their own premises and properties (not contracted out to others), they may be exempt from SIA licensing requirements. However, there are two specific cases for in-house staff where an SIA licence is needed:
- Door supervision at licenced premises
- Vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland
Some government officials: Certain government officials may be exempt from SIA licensing requirements if they perform specific security-related functions as part of their official duties.
Volunteers: In some cases, volunteers working for charitable or voluntary organizations may be exempt from SIA licensing requirements, provided they are not remunerated for their security activities.

How to get an SIA Licence

he SIA licence can be obtained by an online application process. Security professionals can apply for an SIA licence either individually or through their employer.

Apply for an SIA Licence individually

Create an SIA online account.
Submit your application form: this requires consent to providing your identity and criminal record to the SIA
Provide necessary documentation: this includes providing a photo and identification documents
Pay the licence fee

Apply for an SIA Licence through your employer

The employer may agree to apply for a licence on behalf of the employee if the company is an SIA-approved contractor. The employee has to:

Create an SIA online account.
Link your online SIA account with your employer’s account
Provide necessary documentation: same as for individual application

With this option, the individual doesn’t need to submit an online application or pay the licence fee.

You can find more information on applying for an SIA licence via the official government guidelines.

SIA Licence Costs

The cost of obtaining an SIA licence in the UK depends on the type of licence you're applying for.

The current application fee for an individual SIA licence of any type is £184. This licence lasts for 3 years, with the exception of vehicle immobiliser licences, which are valid for only 1 year. SIA licence renewal is the same cost unless you are applying for additional licences in a different sector. Remember that SIA licence fees cannot be paid in instalments and must be paid before SIA processes your application. Fees are also non-refundable, so ensure you provide all the correct information in your application - you don’t get any money back from SIA if your application is cancelled for any reason.

There isn't a direct way to get a SIA licence for free, but there are some programs for other organisations to foot the bill for you. Under certain circumstances, Jobcentre Plus may offer funding for SIA licence training and the application fee. This typically depends on your specific situation, your job search progress, and available resources. To determine your eligibility, it's best to speak with your Jobcentre Plus advisor about the cost of an SIA licence if you’re unemployed.

Some government-funded training providers may offer SIA licence training at a reduced cost or even free of charge, especially if it's part of a wider program to help unemployed individuals get back into work. You can search for these programs through your local council.

Some security companies might offer assistance with obtaining SIA licences for new recruits, especially if there's a skills shortage in the industry. This could involve covering the cost of training and the application fee.

Even if you find a program that helps with the cost of training and the application fee, additional costs might be involved, such as mandatory training materials or assessments.

Different types of SIA licences

There are multiple different SIA licence types that fall under two categories: front-line licence and non-front-line licence.

Non-front-line licences

Non-front line licence will not permit you to perform licencable activities but is required for managers, supervisors, directors or partners in firms that oversee employees who perform licencable activities.

A non-front-line licence lets you perform the following operations:

Key holding
Managing, supervising and employing staff who perform licensable operations
Performing as a top-level manager, such as a director or a partner at a security company

Front-line licences

All front-line licences allow you to perform everything covered by a non-front-line SIA licence. The main licence types are for manned guarding, and there are five separate types of these:

Security guarding licence: This licence is for protecting premises against theft, damage and disorderly behaviour. It covers you for using CCTV to protect properties and identify trespassers.
Door supervisor licence: This licence provides everything covered by the security guarding licence but is required for door supervision for both in-house and contract services.
Close protection licence: This provides everything covered by the previous two licences but is needed for personal bodyguarding.
Cash and valuables in transit licence: This is a specific licence needed for guarding property in a secure vehicle.
Public space surveillance licence: This is a specific licence needed for public CCTV security operations in order to identify potential threats and protect people against assault.

In addition to manned guarding licences, there are two additional types of front-line licences for specific activities:

Key holding licence: This licence is required for security work that involves controlling access to any key or device for operating a lock.
Vehicle immobilisation: This licence is needed for security operatives working in Northern Ireland only to restrict the movement of a vehicle or remove it and charge the owner for the release.

Once you have your SIA licence

In the UK, security companies hold a significant responsibility regarding their staff's Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences. These licences ensure qualified personnel handle security tasks.

To comply with regulations, security companies must verify each candidate's SIA licence for the specific role before hiring them. This involves checking its validity and ensuring it aligns with the job requirements.

The responsibility doesn't stop there. Companies must also keep a watchful eye on licence expiry dates. Implementing a tracking system or database helps guarantee timely renewals for continued compliance.

Beyond licensing, security companies play a role in their staff's professional development. Providing appropriate training strengthens their security expertise and equips them to handle their duties effectively.

Finally, security companies must maintain meticulous records. Staff licences, training certifications, and other relevant documents need to be organized for potential inspections or audits. This showcases the company's commitment to following regulations.

How can PARiM help with you get your SIA licence?

As an owner, director or manager at a security company, you are responsible for ensuring that all your employees have the proper SIA licences for their work. When managing hundreds of employees, it can become extremely cumbersome and labour-intensive.

PARiM is a workforce management software tailored for the security industry that will help both managers and staff members streamline the work with SIA licences:

Keep all employee documents in one place: PARiM provides security companies with unlimited staff databases to input all of their employee info with documents and certificates for quick SIA licencing. This is also extremely useful when working with temporary staff, as you can retain all employee information as long as needed.
Know what licences are needed: PARiM lets you set up positions and qualifications for each employee, so you don’t have to wonder which SIA licence is needed for a specific employee.
Get reminders about expirations: With PARiM, managers receive automated notifications about expiring SIA licences within a timeframe that allows for smooth and stress-free updates.

As an employee, PARiM removes the pressure and workload of managing your documents and keeping an eye on expiration dates and makes it more likely for you to have the application process done through the employer, which also saves you money.

Your Ultimate Guide to SIA Licences