SIA training qualifications reference

Guide summary

You must complete an SIA-approved training qualification before applying for a licence. Each licence type – door supervisor, security guard, close protection, or CCTV operator – has its own qualification with specific hours and first aid requirements. From 1 April 2025, door supervisors and security guards must also take a refresher course to renew their licence.

Complete the correct SIA-approved qualification for your licence type
Apply for your licence within 3 years of passing the qualification
Door supervisor: 76 hours total training (64 guided learning hours)
Security guard: 56 hours total training (44 guided learning hours)
Close protection: 150 hours total training (130 guided learning hours)
CCTV operator: 31 hours total training (25 guided learning hours)
From 1 April 2025, take a refresher course to renew your licence
Hold a current first aid qualification before starting refresher training
Use an SIA-approved awarding organisation like Highfield or City and Guilds

Current SIA-approved qualifications, refresher requirements, and first aid prerequisites by licence type.

Door supervisor

SIA door supervisor training requirements

Qualification and training requirements for obtaining an SIA door supervisor licence, including the mandatory Level 2 Award, core units, guided learning hours, and recognised awarding organisations.

Qualification: Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry
Qualification level: Level 2 (RQF)
Total qualification time: 76 hours
Guided learning hours: 64 hours
Core units: Working in the private security industry; conflict management; physical intervention skills; door supervision
Awarding organisations: Highfield Qualifications; City and Guilds; HABC; BIIAB; VTCT; ICQ; SFJ Awards
Validity for licence application: Must be achieved within 3 years before licence application

To apply for an SIA door supervisor licence, applicants must complete the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry. This qualification was updated in 2021 to include enhanced conflict management and physical intervention content.

The qualification must be delivered by a training provider approved by one of the SIA's recognised awarding organisations and completed within three years of the licence application date. It is not possible to apply for a door supervisor licence without holding this qualification or a recognised equivalent.

Security guard

SIA security guard training requirements

Qualification and training requirements for obtaining an SIA security guard licence, including the mandatory Level 2 Award, core units, and guided learning hours.

Qualification: Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry
Qualification level: Level 2 (RQF)
Total qualification time: 56 hours
Guided learning hours: 44 hours
Core units: Working in the private security industry; conflict management; security guarding
Awarding organisations: Highfield Qualifications; City and Guilds; HABC; BIIAB; VTCT; ICQ; SFJ Awards
Validity for licence application: Must be achieved within 3 years before licence application

To apply for an SIA security guard licence, applicants must complete the Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry. This qualification was updated in 2021 and covers the core competencies required for manned guarding roles.

The security guard qualification shares the common unit on working in the private security industry with the door supervisor qualification. Holders of an SIA door supervisor licence who also wish to work as a security guard can apply for a linked licence covering both sectors.

Close protection

SIA close protection training requirements

Qualification and training requirements for obtaining an SIA close protection licence, including the mandatory Level 3 Certificate, enhanced first aid, surveillance, and route planning modules.

Qualification: Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry
Qualification level: Level 3 (RQF)
Total qualification time: 150 hours
Guided learning hours: 130 hours
Core units: Working in the private security industry; surveillance and reconnaissance; threat and risk assessment; close protection operational planning and route selection; close protection foot and vehicle drills; close protection first aid (Level 3)
Awarding organisations: Highfield Qualifications; City and Guilds; HABC; SFJ Awards
Validity for licence application: Must be achieved within 3 years before licence application

To apply for an SIA close protection licence, applicants must complete the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry. This is a substantially longer and more demanding qualification than the door supervisor or security guard awards, reflecting the specialist nature of close protection work.

The close protection qualification was updated in 2022. It includes enhanced modules on surveillance and reconnaissance, threat and risk assessment, operational planning (including route selection), and foot and vehicle protection drills. A Level 3 first aid component is integrated into the qualification.

CCTV (public space surveillance)

SIA CCTV operator training requirements

Qualification and training requirements for obtaining an SIA CCTV (Public Space Surveillance) licence, including the mandatory Level 2 Award and data protection modules.

Qualification: Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry
Qualification level: Level 2 (RQF)
Total qualification time: 31 hours
Guided learning hours: 25 hours
Core units: Working in the private security industry; CCTV operations in a public space environment
Key content areas: Data protection legislation (UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018); ICO Surveillance Camera Code of Practice; evidence handling and continuity; operator health and welfare
Awarding organisations: Highfield Qualifications; City and Guilds; HABC; SFJ Awards
Validity for licence application: Must be achieved within 3 years before licence application

To apply for an SIA CCTV (Public Space Surveillance) licence, applicants must complete the Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator within the Private Security Industry. This qualification covers the operation of CCTV systems used for monitoring members of the public in public spaces.

A significant component of the CCTV operator qualification relates to data protection obligations. Operators must understand the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. The qualification also covers evidence handling procedures, maintaining continuity of evidence, and operator welfare during extended monitoring sessions.

Refresher qualifications

Mandatory top-up training required before renewing an existing licence.

SIA refresher qualification for door supervisors and security guards

Mandatory refresher qualification introduced from 1 April 2025 for door supervisors and security guards renewing their SIA licence. The earlier top-up route brought pre-2021 qualification holders up to the 2021 standard.

Requirement: Mandatory refresher qualification at licence renewal
Effective from: 1 April 2025
Applies to: Door supervisors and security guards renewing their SIA licence
Refresher qualification (door supervisor): Level 2 Award for Renewing a Licence to Practise as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry
Refresher qualification (security guard): Level 2 Award for Renewing a Licence to Practise as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry
Top-up route: The earlier top-up qualification was a bridging route for holders of pre-2021 qualifications and was completed before the April 2025 refresher regime.
Prerequisite: Current first aid qualification (EFAW, FPOS, or FREC) must be held before starting refresher training

From 1 April 2025, door supervisors and security guards must complete a mandatory refresher qualification when renewing their SIA licence. This is a new requirement — previously, licence renewal did not require any additional training beyond the original qualification.

The earlier top-up qualification was the bridging step for holders of pre-2021 qualifications, bringing them up to the 2021 standard by October 2024. It is not an alternative to the refresher qualification: the refresher requirement applies at licence renewal from April 2025.

The refresher must be completed before submitting the licence renewal application. Licence holders who do not complete the refresher before their licence expires cannot work in a licensable role until a new licence is granted.

SIA refresher qualification for close protection operatives

Mandatory refresher qualification from 1 April 2026 for close protection operatives renewing their SIA licence. The earlier top-up route brought pre-2022 qualification holders up to the 2022 standard.

Requirement: Mandatory refresher qualification at licence renewal
Effective from: 1 April 2026
Applies to: Close protection operatives renewing their SIA licence
Refresher qualification: Level 3 Award for Renewing a Licence to Practise as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry
Top-up route: The earlier top-up qualification was a bridging route for holders of pre-2022 qualifications, completed ahead of the April 2026 refresher regime.
Prerequisite: Current Level 3 first aid qualification (FAW, FPOS, or FREC) must be held before starting refresher training

From 1 April 2026, close protection operatives must complete a mandatory refresher qualification when renewing their SIA licence. This requirement follows the same model introduced for door supervisors and security guards from April 2025.

The earlier top-up qualification was the bridging step for holders of pre-2022 qualifications, bringing them up to the 2022 standard ahead of the refresher deadline. It is not an alternative to the refresher qualification required at renewal from April 2026.

A current Level 3 first aid qualification is a prerequisite before starting the refresher training. The refresher must be completed before submitting the licence renewal application.

First aid prerequisites

SIA first aid prerequisites for refresher training

First aid qualifications that must be held before starting SIA refresher training. Different requirements apply to door supervisors and security guards (EFAW level) compared to close protection operatives (Level 3).

Door supervisors and security guards — accepted first aid qualifications: Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW); First Person on Scene (FPOS); First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Door supervisors and security guards — first aid level: Level 2 or equivalent
Close protection operatives — accepted first aid qualifications: Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW); Level 3 First Person on Scene (FPOS); Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Close protection operatives — first aid level: Level 3
Currency requirement: The first aid qualification must be current (not expired) at the time of starting refresher training
EFAW validity: 3 years from date of issue
Level 3 FAW validity: 3 years from date of issue

Before starting SIA refresher training, licence holders must hold a current first aid qualification appropriate to their licence type. The first aid qualification is a prerequisite — training providers will not enrol candidates on the refresher course without evidence of a valid first aid certificate.

Door supervisors and security guards need an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification or equivalent. Close protection operatives need a Level 3 first aid qualification, reflecting the higher level of medical response expected in close protection roles.

First aid qualifications from First Person on Scene (FPOS) and First Response Emergency Care (FREC) are also accepted, provided they are at the correct level for the licence type. All accepted qualifications must comply with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on workplace first aid.

For how to apply for or renew an SIA licence, see Apply for an SIA licence.

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Private Security Industry Act 2001 Primary 2001 · UK-wide The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Licences) Regulations 2007 SI 2007 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

SIA: Check what training you need (opens in a new tab)

gov.uk

SIA: Apply for an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)

SIA

Private Security Industry Act 2001 (legislation.gov.uk) (opens in a new tab)

legislation

GOV.UK: About the SIA (opens in a new tab)

SIA

GOV.UK: Renew your SIA licence (opens in a new tab)

SIA

GOV.UK: SIA enforcement (opens in a new tab)

SIA

SIA: How to become an approved contractor (opens in a new tab)

SIA

SIA: How to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)

SIA

SIA training qualifications reference

Door supervisor

Security guard

Close protection

CCTV (public space surveillance)

Refresher qualifications

First aid prerequisites

Legal basis

Official guidance

Related guides in Training & Development

Set up security staff training

Renew your SIA licence

Secure your business premises

Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry

Verify SIA licence validity for your employees