Security Officer Requirements UK: SIA Licence, Training and Checks
UK security officer requirements: age 18+, SIA training hours, first aid, the £204 three-year licence, ID documents and criminal record checks.
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Step 2 of 3: Requirements
To work as a security officer in the UK you must be 18 or over, finish an approved training course and pass the SIA's identity and criminal record checks. The licence costs £204 and lasts 3 years. Here's the full checklist, and the next page walks you through applying.
Tell us where you are right now, and the next page shows you what to do.
Where are you in the process?
✅ Basic eligibility
GOV.UK sets out a short list of basics for a front-line SIA licence:
- You must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence
- You need the licence-linked qualification for the licence you want
- For security guard and door supervisor licences, a valid first aid qualification
- Identity documents: 1 from Group A and 2 from Group B
- You must pass the SIA's criminal record and suitability checks
- You must have the right to work in the UK
If you've lived outside the UK for 6 months or more in a row during the last 10 years, the SIA also asks for an overseas criminal record check.
🎓 The training you need, and how long it takes
Each licence has its own approved Level 2 qualification, taught by training providers and certified by approved awarding bodies such as Highfield, Pearson, NOCN, QNUK, SFJ Awards and Laser Learning Awards. GOV.UK gives these course lengths:
| Licence | Qualification | Course length |
|---|---|---|
| Security guard | Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry | 30 hours over 4 days with self-study, or 38 hours over 5 days without |
| Door supervisor | Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry | 44 hours over 6 days with self-study, or 52 hours over 7 days without |
| CCTV | Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) | 22 hours over 3 days with self-study, or 30 hours over 4 days without |
Scotland has its own versions of these awards at SCQF Level 6.
Know which licence you want? The next page shows the exact order of the application.
🩹 First aid comes first
For a security guard or door supervisor licence, you must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you start the training. Your training provider checks it, so you don't send it to the SIA.
When you renew, your first aid certificate must have at least 12 months left to run. CCTV licences don't have this first aid rule.
💷 The licence fee and how long it lasts
- Fee: £204 for one licence, paid in full and non-refundable
- Extra licences: £102 each when you apply for more than one in the same application
- How long it lasts: 3 years for front-line licences
- Who can pay: you, or an employer that is an SIA approved contractor, or sometimes a training provider or back-to-work scheme
When you renew a security guard or door supervisor licence, you also need a refresher qualification. GOV.UK says this is 0.5 to 1 day of in-person training for security guards, and 1.5 to 2.5 days for door supervisors.
Ready for the next part? The steps are short, but the order matters.
🪪 The identity documents you need
The SIA asks for one Group A document and two Group B documents. At least one Group B document must show your current address.
GOV.UK publishes the full list of accepted documents for each group, so check it before you apply. Make sure your name and date of birth match across every document, and that nothing has expired. Depending on your situation, you may show them in person at the Post Office, upload them or post them.
🔍 What the SIA and employers check
The SIA runs identity, criminal record and suitability checks on every application. It may also ask you for more information, and if it asks for right to work evidence you have 21 days to send it or your application is cancelled.
Once you have a licence, employers usually run their own checks too, such as your work history and references. Be ready to account for gaps.
⚠️ Common mistakes that cost people the job
Most rejections and delays come down to small, avoidable slip-ups. Watch out for these:
- Booking the training before getting a valid first aid certificate
- Choosing a course that isn't for the licence you actually need
- Leaving out past convictions or addresses on the form
- Not answering an SIA request for more information in time
- Applying for jobs before your licence is granted and showing as active
- Paying an unofficial 'agent' to get a licence faster
Want to avoid all of these? The next page puts each step in the right order.
❓ Quick FAQ
Can a door supervisor work as a security guard?
Do I need a separate licence for CCTV?
How long does the SIA take to decide?
Does a criminal record stop me getting a licence?
On the next page: the 7 application steps in order, from first aid to your SIA online account, plus where to find genuine security jobs and how to avoid fake recruiters.
🔥 Other jobs hiring now
Still deciding? These other UK jobs have their own requirements, and some may be quicker to start.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not the Security Industry Authority (SIA), a security company or any employer, we do not hire anyone and we do not collect job applications. Pay, fees, training and licensing rules change, so always check the details on GOV.UK and the official employer's website before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.