If you hire security staff in the UK, directly or through an agency, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence is the first thing to get right. The Private Security Industry Act 2001 makes it a criminal offence to carry out licensable activity without a valid licence, and it is also an offence to supply or use unlicensed operatives in many situations. Here is a plain guide to what you need to know.
The SIA is the regulator for the private security industry. It sets the training and criminality standards people must meet, issues licences to those who meet them, and can suspend or revoke licences. It also runs the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme for security businesses that want to show they meet a set of quality standards.
For employers, the practical point is simple: before anyone carries out security work for you, check they hold the right licence and that it is currently valid.
Front line and non-front line licences
There are two broad kinds of licence:
- Front line licences are for people who carry out licensable activity themselves, such as working on a door or guarding a site. They come as a card, and holders are generally expected to wear it where it can be seen while working.
- Non-front line licences are for people who manage, supervise or employ licensable staff but do not do the front line work themselves. Directors and managers of security companies often need one.
If someone in a supervisory role also steps in and does front line work, they need a front line licence.
The main licence sectors
Licences are issued for specific sectors, and the sector matters. A licence in one area does not automatically cover another. The ones employers ask us about most are:
- Door supervision, for security at licensed premises such as pubs, bars, clubs and events where alcohol is sold. A door supervisor licence also allows the holder to carry out security guarding work.
- Security guarding, for guarding premises, property or people against theft, damage or disorder, such as on retail, office or construction sites.
- Public space surveillance (CCTV), for operators monitoring CCTV to watch members of the public or identify individuals, under a contract.
- Close protection, for guarding individuals against assault or injury.
There are also sectors for cash and valuables in transit and for key holding. If you are not sure which sector a role falls under, the SIA website has guidance on licensable activity.
How to check a licence
Never rely on a photo of a card or a candidate's word. The SIA runs a free public register of licence holders on its website. You can search by licence number and confirm:
- That the licence exists and belongs to the person in front of you.
- Which sector it covers, and whether that matches the job.
- That it is valid, and has not expired, been suspended or been revoked.
- When it expires, so you can plan ahead.
Record the date you checked and keep a note on file. If you employ security staff over a long period, check the register again from time to time, because a licence can be suspended or revoked after it is first issued.
Renewals and ongoing checks
SIA licences do not last forever. Each one has an expiry date, and the holder must apply to renew before it runs out if they want to keep working. Renewal is not automatic: the SIA carries out fresh checks, and some sectors require extra top-up training as part of the process. Check the SIA website for the current requirements.
For employers, this means keeping a list of licence expiry dates and reminding staff in good time. A guard whose licence lapses on a Friday cannot legally work on Saturday, so the gap can cause real problems on a contract. Officers sometimes leave renewal until the last few weeks, and processing can take longer than they expect, so it is worth raising the subject several months ahead and asking for confirmation once the new licence has been issued.
Other things to think about
- Some sites, such as schools or healthcare settings, may also require a DBS check.
- Clients often ask for specific experience, for example retail loss prevention or event crowd management.
- Right to work checks still apply alongside the SIA licence.
- Ask your agency to show how they verify licences, not just to tell you they do.
Supplying licensed security staff
We supply SIA licensed officers for sites, venues, events and retail across the UK, and we check every licence on the public register before a placement starts. To find out more, see our security staffing page or get in touch to discuss your requirements.
