Register as an SIA Approved Contractor

The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is a voluntary scheme run by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). It recognises private security companies that meet independently assessed standards for service delivery, management, and staff training.

Although ACS registration is not a legal requirement, many buyers of security services — including government bodies, local authorities, and large private organisations — require their contractors to hold ACS status. Being listed on the SIA's register of approved contractors demonstrates that your company operates to a recognised standard.

SIA Approved Contractor Scheme overview

Overview of the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), a voluntary quality assurance scheme for companies providing private security services in Great Britain. Covers eligible activities, benefits, and the pass/fail approval model. Northern Ireland has a separate regime.

Scheme type: Voluntary quality assurance scheme run by the Security Industry Authority (SIA)
Eligibility: Private security companies providing SIA-licensed activities in GB for at least 12 months, supplying at least 2 licensable operatives per activity
Approval model: Pass or fail — no graded levels (no gold, silver, or bronze)
Approval scope: Granted per activity, not per company — a firm may be approved for door supervision but not security guarding
Criminal offence: It is a criminal offence to claim ACS approval or display the ACS accreditation mark when not approved
Geographic scope: England, Scotland, and Wales. The SIA does not regulate private security in Northern Ireland.
Eligible activities: Manned guarding (including cash and valuables in transit, close protection, door supervision, CCTV, security guarding), key holding, vehicle immobilisation

The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for companies providing private security services regulated by the SIA. Unlike individual SIA licensing (which covers individual operatives), the ACS approves companies.

Key benefits of ACS approval:

Listed on the SIA register of approved contractors, visible to buyers searching for security providers
Access to Licence Assist and Licence Management services for managing staff licensing
Licence Dispensation Notices (LDNs) — permission to deploy staff while their licence applications are being processed
Required for many public sector contracts, including all Scottish Government security contracts
Reputational advantage with local authorities, NHS trusts, and large commercial clients
Right to display the ACS accreditation mark on stationery, vehicles, website, and premises
May support negotiations with commercial insurers
Invitation to SIA-led regional forums sharing best practice and regulatory updates

1. Check your eligibility

Before applying, confirm your business meets the basic eligibility criteria:

Your company must have been trading in the private security industry for at least 12 months
All operatives carrying out licensable activities must hold valid SIA licences
Your business must be able to demonstrate management systems for staff vetting, training, supervision, and complaints handling
You must not have any unspent criminal convictions or enforcement actions from the SIA that would disqualify your application

If your company has been trading for less than 12 months, you cannot apply yet. Use the time to build compliant management systems and ensure all operatives are individually licensed.

2. Choose a UKAS-accredited assessment body

ACS assessment is carried out by independent bodies accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). You must choose one of the following to conduct your assessment:

British Assessment Bureau (BAB)
National Security Inspectorate (NSI)
Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)

Each body charges its own fees and has slightly different scheduling processes, but all assess against the same SIA-set criteria. Contact each one to request a quote based on your company size and the number of sectors you operate in.

SIA Approved Contractor Scheme requirements and fees

ACS eligibility checks, assessment criteria, application routes (standard and passport), SIA fees, and UKAS-accredited assessing bodies. Includes current fee bands and assessing body day rates.

Fit and proper test: SIA checks identity, criminality, financial probity, and integrity of controlling minds (directors, shadow directors, parent company directors)
Director licensing: All directors must hold a valid SIA licence — executive, non-executive, shadow directors, parent company directors, and corporate entities holding a directorship
Staff licensing: 100 percent of deployed security operatives must hold a valid SIA licence
Minimum trading history: 12 months providing private security services
Minimum operative count: At least 2 licensable operatives per activity for which approval is sought
Application route — standard: Self-assessment workbook, SIA application and checks, assessment by approved assessing body, SIA approval decision
Application route — passport: Certification through NSI ACS Passport Scheme, simplified SIA application and checks, SIA approval decision
Assessing bodies: British Assessment Bureau (Amtivo Group), NSI, SSAIB
Application fee — up to 10 licensable staff: GBP 400 (non-refundable)
Application fee — 11 to 25 licensable staff: GBP 800 (non-refundable)
Application fee — 26 to 250 licensable staff: GBP 1,600 (non-refundable)
Application fee — over 250 licensable staff: GBP 2,400 (non-refundable)
Annual registration fee: GBP 15 per licensable individual deployed (non-refundable)
Assessing body day rate — British Assessment Bureau: Up to GBP 1,100 (full-day in-person), GBP 600 (half-day in-person or remote)
Assessing body day rate — NSI: Up to GBP 1,100 (full-day in-person), GBP 550 (half-day in-person or remote)
Assessing body day rate — SSAIB: Up to GBP 1,125 (full-day in-person), GBP 675 (half-day in-person), GBP 500 (half-day remote)
Passport scheme: NSI ACS Passport Scheme — covers CVIT, close protection, door supervision, key holding, CCTV, and security guarding

What the SIA checks before granting ACS approval:

The company provides SIA-regulated private security services under contract in the UK
The company has been trading for at least 12 months
The company supplies at least 2 licensable operatives per activity sought
All directors hold valid SIA licences
All deployed security operatives hold valid SIA licences
Controlling minds pass fit and proper checks (identity, criminality, financial probity, integrity)

Assessment criteria (via approved assessing body):

Licensing compliance — all operatives and directors correctly licensed
Management and business practices
Training and development of staff
Quality management systems
Financial management

Approval is on a pass/fail basis. The SIA does not assess companies directly in most cases; instead, one of three approved assessing bodies (British Assessment Bureau, NSI, or SSAIB) conducts the assessment and reports to the SIA, which makes the final approval decision.

3. Prepare for assessment

The assessment covers your business operations, management practices, and staff records. Before your assessment date, make sure you have the following in order:

Staff licensing records — evidence that all operatives carrying out licensable activities hold valid SIA licences, and that you check licence validity regularly
Recruitment and vetting procedures — documented processes for identity verification, right to work checks, and reference checks
Training records — records of induction training, ongoing professional development, and any specialist training (such as conflict management or first aid)
Supervision and management — evidence of how you supervise operatives, including site visit records and performance reviews
Complaints and incident handling — a documented procedure for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints
Financial management — evidence that your business is financially stable (this may include accounts or financial references)

Your chosen assessment body will provide a self-assessment checklist. Complete this thoroughly before the formal assessment visit.

4. Complete the assessment

The assessment body will carry out an on-site visit (or visits, depending on company size) to verify your documentation and interview staff. The assessment typically covers:

Review of management systems and documentation
Interviews with directors, managers, and a sample of operatives
Spot checks on SIA licence validity for named staff
Review of client contracts and service delivery records

If the assessment body identifies areas that do not meet the required standard, you will be given an opportunity to address these before a final decision is made. Minor non-conformities can usually be resolved within a set timeframe without failing the assessment outright.

5. Maintain your approved status

Once approved, your company is listed on the SIA's public register of approved contractors. To maintain your status:

Annual surveillance visits — your assessment body will conduct at least one follow-up visit per year to confirm continued compliance
Reassessment — a full reassessment is required every three years to renew your ACS registration
Notify changes — inform the SIA and your assessment body of any material changes to your business, such as change of directors, new operating sectors, or enforcement actions
Ongoing licence checks — continue to verify that all operatives hold valid SIA licences throughout the year

If your company fails a surveillance visit or reassessment, your ACS status may be suspended or withdrawn. The SIA publishes removal decisions on its public register.

Once you have ACS status, prominently display the ACS logo on your marketing materials and tenders. Many procurement frameworks — including those used by NHS trusts, local authorities, and central government — require or favour ACS-registered contractors.

What next

Check whether your operatives need individual SIA licence renewals — see Apply for an SIA licence
Review your obligations under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 — see Legal requirements for private security businesses
If you operate in multiple sectors (such as door supervision and CCTV), ensure each sector is covered in your ACS application

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Guvnor

Register as an SIA Approved Contractor

1. Check your eligibility

2. Choose a UKAS-accredited assessment body

3. Prepare for assessment

4. Complete the assessment

5. Maintain your approved status

What next

Compliance Assistant

🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

1. Check your eligibility

2. Choose a UKAS-accredited assessment body

3. Prepare for assessment

4. Complete the assessment

5. Maintain your approved status

What next

Related guides in General Compliance

Secure your business premises

Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry

Verify SIA licence validity for your employees

Set up security staff training

SIA employer compliance checklist

UNDER CONSTRUCTION