How And Why to get AN SIA Licence
Obtaining an SIA license is mandatory for anyone working in the private security sector in th UK. Discover the steps to apply for your license and ensure you're legally qualified to work as a Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator, Security Guard, or Close Protection Officer.
The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of licensed security professionals, a challenge that is impacting businesses, events, and public safety. Despite a steady increase in the number of Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence holders over the years, the demand for qualified personnel continues to exceed supply.
The UK's security industry is growing quickly, and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) estimates that the country needs to recruit and license 62,000 new security officers in the next year
Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Right to Work: You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
- Identity Verification: You need to provide proof of your identity and address.
- Criminal Record Check: You must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your criminal record. Certain offenses may disqualify you.
- Training and Qualifications: You must complete the relevant training and obtain the required qualification for the type of licence you’re applying for (e.g., Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator).
- Fit and Proper Person: You must meet the SIA's standards for suitability, which include honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
Meeting these criteria ensures you can apply for and maintain an SIA licence legally.
Application Process
Check you have the right documents to prove your identity
During the application process, you need to show documents to prove your identity.
You will need to show all of the following:
One Item From Group A
- a passport that is signed, current, and valid
- a driving licence photocard issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK
- a driving licence photocard and its paper counterpart issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland
- a UK original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
- a UK adoption certificate
- a UK biometric residence permit card
Two Items From Group B
- a bank or building society statement from the last 3 months (we will accept 2 statements, but only if they are from different banks or building societies)
- a utility bill from the last 3 months (we will accept gas, electric, telephone landline, water, satellite TV or cable TV bills but not mobile phone bills)
- a credit card statement from the last 3 months (we will accept 2 statements, but only if they are from different credit-card providers)
- a council tax statement from the last 12 months
- a mortgage statement from the last 12 months
- a letter from the last 3 months from any of the following:
-
- HM Revenue and Customs
- the Department of Work and Pensions
- a Jobcentre Plus – or any other employment service
- a local authority
- a P45 or P60 tax statement from the last 12 months
- a paper version of a current UK driving licence (not the paper counterpart to a photocard)
- a driving licence photocard issued by the DVA in Northern Ireland (not the paper counterpart)
- a pension, endowment or ISA statement from the last 12 months
- a valid UK firearms licence with photo
You will need a passport-style photo of you for your SIA licence card (if you are applying for a front line licence) and for our identity checks.
You need to provide details of all the addresses you have lived at during the last 5 years.
This information is used for identity and criminal record checks.
If you live in the UK, the system will automatically check your current address. If this check does not confirm that you live at this address, you will be asked to provide documents to prove that you live there.
You must have the right ‘licence-linked’ qualification before you can apply for the following types of licence:
- security guarding
- door supervision
- close protection
- public space surveillance (CCTV)
- cash and valuables in transit
- vehicle immobiliser
These are all front line licences.
It costs £184 to apply for 1 licence.
All licences last for 3 years – except for a vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts for 1 year.
Discounts Available for Additional Licences
You may need to apply for more than 1 licence. If so, a discount of 50% is available for additional licences. This means that:
- the first licence will cost £184
- each other licence will cost £92
The discount for additional licences is only available in different sectors. You cannot apply the discount if you are renewing a licence for the same sector.
If you already hold a licence and you apply for another one in a different sector, both of the following conditions must be met for the discount to apply:
- you paid the full fee of £184 for your existing licence
- your existing licence must have more than 4 months left to run
Visit the Gov.uk site for full details
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