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Defence, Security & Space Security and investigation

Verify SIA licence validity for your employees

How to use the SIA licence checker to verify employee licences before deployment. Covers your legal obligations under section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and what to do if a licence is expired, suspended, or revoked.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must check every employee's SIA licence is valid before they start work. Use the SIA online licence checker. Record all checks and keep them for the duration of employment. Failing to do this is a criminal offence.

  • Check each employee's licence before deployment using the SIA online checker
  • Verify licence is active, matches the individual, and is for the correct sector
  • Record licence number, expiry date, and verification date
  • Remove employee if licence is expired, suspended, or revoked
  • Keep records for the duration of employment
  • Failure to check can result in up to 5 years' imprisonment or unlimited fines
  • Use the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme for compliance assurance
On this page
UK-wide

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.

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    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.

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