As an employer in the private security industry, you must verify that every employee holds a valid SIA licence before deploying them on any licensable activity. Failing to do so is a criminal offence under section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Employer obligations for SIA-licensed staff

Employer duties to verify SIA licence validity, the offence of deploying unlicensed security operatives under s.5 PSIA 2001, record-keeping requirements, and the due diligence defence.

Core employer offence (s.5 PSIA 2001): It is a criminal offence for a person to use or supply unlicensed individuals to carry out licensable conduct.
Licence verification tool: SIA online licence checker — employers must verify each operative's licence status before deployment.
What to verify: Licence validity, expiry date, correct sector (e.g. door supervision, CCTV, close protection), and right to work in the UK.
Record-keeping duty: Employers must maintain records of licence checks including operative name, licence number, sector, expiry date, and date checked.
Due diligence defence: Under s.5(2) PSIA 2001, it is a defence to show all reasonable steps were taken to verify the operative held a valid licence.
Ongoing monitoring: Employers should conduct periodic re-checks, not rely solely on the initial verification at point of hire.
ACS scheme advantage: SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) members demonstrate compliance through independent audit of deployment and licence management procedures.

Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 creates a strict liability offence of deploying unlicensed security operatives. However, the due diligence defence under s.5(2) provides that if a person can prove they took all reasonable steps to establish that the operative held a current SIA licence, they are not guilty of the offence. Employers should use the SIA's free online licence checker before every deployment and retain auditable records of all checks performed.

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1. Access the SIA licence checker

Go to the SIA Register of Licence Holders at services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/rolh. You can search by licence number, surname, or a combination of both.
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2. Confirm the licence is active

Check the licence status shows 'Active'. Note the licence sector (e.g. door supervision, security guarding) and the expiry date.
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3. Verify the licence matches the individual

Compare the name and photograph on the SIA licence card with the individual's identity documents. The licence card must be the original, not a copy.
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4. Record the check

Record the date of the check, the licence number, licence sector, expiry date, and who carried out the verification. Keep this record for the duration of employment.

If a licence is expired, suspended, or revoked

Expired: Remove the individual from licensable duties immediately. They may continue in non-licensable roles while they renew.
Suspended: Remove from all licensable duties. Do not redeploy until the SIA confirms the suspension is lifted.
Revoked: Remove from licensable duties permanently. The individual must reapply for a new licence.
Not found on register: Do not deploy. The licence may be fraudulent. Report suspected fraud to the SIA.

SIA licensing offences and penalties

Criminal offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, including operating without a licence, deploying unlicensed staff, and providing false information, with maximum penalties.

Operating without an SIA licence (s.3): Summary offence only: up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Supplying or using unlicensed security operatives (s.5): Triable either way. On indictment: up to 5 years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. On summary conviction: up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Contravention of licence conditions (s.9): Summary offence: up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Providing false information (s.22): Summary offence only: up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Using a false or forged licence: Treated as fraud under Fraud Act 2006 — on indictment: up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or unlimited fine.
Criminal liability of directors and officers (s.23): Where offence committed by a body corporate with consent or connivance of an officer, the officer is also personally guilty.
Enforcing body: Security Industry Authority (SIA)

The penalties differ by offence. The section 5 offence — supplying or using an unlicensed operative, which is the principal employer offence — is triable either way and carries up to 5 years' imprisonment on indictment. The section 3 offence of working without a licence, and the section 22 offence of providing false information, are summary only, with a maximum of 6 months' imprisonment. Following the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, fines on summary conviction in England and Wales are unlimited.

Verify SIA licence validity for your employees

SIA employer compliance checklist

Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry

Start a private security business

Secure your business premises

Set up security staff training

1. Access the SIA licence checker

2. Confirm the licence is active

3. Verify the licence matches the individual

4. Record the check

If a licence is expired, suspended, or revoked

Official guidance

Related guides in Licensing & Permits

SIA employer compliance checklist

Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry

Start a private security business

Secure your business premises

Set up security staff training

1. Access the SIA licence checker

2. Confirm the licence is active

3. Verify the licence matches the individual

4. Record the check

If a licence is expired, suspended, or revoked

Official guidance