Regulator profile

SIA

Security Industry Authority

Enforcement Regulator UK-wide

What SIA does

Regulates the private security industry in the UK. Issues licences for security guards, door supervisors, CCTV operators, close protection operatives, and other security roles. Manages Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for security companies. Enforces licensing requirements and investigates unlicensed activity.

Licence types: Door Supervision, Security Guard, Close Protection, CCTV, Cash and Valuables in Transit, Key Holding. ACS demonstrates quality standards for security providers.

Approved Contractor SchemeEnforcementLicensing

Contact SIA

Official guidance from SIA

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

Apply for an sia licence (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

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

Detailed Guidance

Security Industry Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

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

Detailed Guidance

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

Detailed Guidance

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

Detailed Guidance

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

Detailed Guidance

SIA: Learn about the Approved Contractor Scheme (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

View all 17 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)

Legislation that SIA directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Private Security Industry Act 2001

Secondary legislation

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Approved Contractor Scheme) Regulations 2006 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Designated Activities) Order 2006 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security) Regulations 2006 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Licences) Regulations 2007 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Designated Activities) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009

Legislation connected to SIA’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Establishing / enabling

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 UK Act of Parliament

Administered / monitored

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Commencement No. 8) (Amendment) Order 2005 UK Statutory Instrument Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 UK Act of Parliament The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Olympics Security) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025 UK Statutory Instrument

Amendments / commencements

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2002 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Commencement No. 1) (Scotland) Order 2006 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Designated Activities) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2006 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendments to Schedule 2) Order 2007 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2007 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009 UK Act of Parliament The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendments to Schedule 2) Order 2009 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Approved Contractor Scheme) Regulations 2007 (Amendment) Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Commencement No.1) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Commencement No.2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Duration of Licence)(No.2) Order 2006 (Amendment) Order 2009 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 UK Statutory Instrument

Referenced in enforcement

Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 UK Act of Parliament

Sectors regulated

RetailHotels and hospitalitySecurity

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