Join the 450,000+ people we’ve trained in security
Fast-track your career with Close Protection Training
The Close Protection Officer Training Course opens up highly paying opportunities to work as Bodyguards. Earn up to £9,000 per month protecting celebrities, VIPs or high net worth individuals.
The Close Protection Training Course is for anyone who wants to work legally as a Close Protection Officer (CPO), commonly called Bodyguard.
Getting a CPO SIA Licence can be a rewarding career choice for confident newcomers, experienced security professionals, and former armed forces and police personnel.
The Close Protection Training runs over 16-19-days and covers the knowledge, skills and practicals to help you prepare for the exam.
Some of the roles you could find yourself working with a CPO Licence include:
Bodyguarding for VIPs and celebrities
Protection for high-net-worth individuals
Private international assignments
Asset protection for high-end retailers
Residential security
✈️ Close Protection Officers may have to travel internationally to accompany their clients.
Working as a Bodyguard is exciting.
While the hours can get long and the risks can be high, this is one of the few jobs where you can say no two days at work are ever the same.
How much can you earn as a Close Protection Officer?
Getting a CP Licence is a serious commitment of time and money, and it's usually only for security professionals committed to long-term career growth in this industry.
Once qualified, Close Protection Officers can make anywhere between £200 to £400 per day, depending on your assignment, experience, the risk factor of the role and how you negotiate with your employer.
Wondering what it is like working in the security industry?
Hear from our past customers how they enjoy their new security careers.
Close Protection Course Content
To allow ample time to teach the broad range of advanced skills required by bodyguard work, the Close Protection Course runs over 19 days and consists of 3 units:
Unit 1: Working in the Private Security Industry Unit 2: Working as a Close Protection Operative Unit 3: Conflict Management
Courses are packed with theoretical and practical activities to keep you engaged. The training is intense, and some exercises will finish late. Candidates should be prepared for a demanding period of instruction. The course covers the following:
Law and Legislation
Roles and Responsibilities of a CPO
Threat and Risk Assessment
Incident Management
Venue Security operations
Reconnaissance (Theory and Practical)
CPO Protocol and Etiquette
Operational Planning
Route Selection
Foot Formations
Vehicle Tactics
Embus / Debus
Search Procedures (personal, Vehicle and premises)
Surveillance (Live scenarios in central London)
⚠️ NOTE: To apply for this licence, you will also need a First Aid at Work Qualification.
Our training providers intentionally make the course fast-paced to fully prepare you for the reality of life as a Close Protection Operative. It's rapid, intensive on the mind and body, and always full of surprises.
Even so, there'll be exams you need to complete, but don't let that put you off. The Close Protection training course covers everything you need to know, and your expert instructor will fully prepare you for success.
How to get SIA Licence
Unsure about the process? We'll
help you understand how to get your SIA licence with our detailed guide.
"Very informative at all times helping to keep confidence of people of age not feel out of place. Good demonstration and clear communication and even exam reminded me of my a levels years ago. Well done"
For the last two days, I had Matt as my trainer and he was exceptional, super friendly,
answered questions with precision and expanded his knowledge so that I could fully understand.
Absolutely brilliant Matt, Thank you.
Read more
The Close Protection Training course is for you if you want to work in the private security industry as a Bodyguard or Close Protection Officer.
You'll typically have some background in combat or security (although this is not a requirement of the course), and be expected to handle high-pressure situations with a calm, strategic mind.
You'll receive combat training and various skills to assist you when providing protection for important individuals, such as celebrities or high-power businesspeople.
The course lasts for 16-19 days and is instructor-led.
You need to be at least 18 years old to take the Close Protection Course. Moreover, you will need to be fluent in English to follow the content and perform at the assessment.
Some experience in security or combat would also be useful (although this is not a requirement of the course), as the course can be demanding for some people.
Security professionals who have worked for several years already, or people moving into this industry from a military or police background, often do best in CPO training.
You will receive a Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry upon completing the training course.
The Close Protection Training Course is assessed by a written exam and a practical assessment. You will also be assessed on your participation throughout the course.
You're able to retake exams if you don’t pass them. You cannot proceed with applying for your Close Protection SIA Licence, or badge, until you pass all your exams and attain the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry.
Receive your results within just 5 working days after your course is completed. Our aim is to notify you on the same day the training provider sends us your results.
Your results will be available online and we’ll also send you an SMS to inform you when your results are available.
Close Protection Officers (Bodyguards) can work for:
- VIP & Celebrity Security
- Executive & Corporate Protection
- High-Value Asset Security
- International Security & Risk Management
- £200 – £500 per day for standard protection roles
- £700– £1,500 per day for international contracts
No, firearms training is not part of UK-based Close Protection courses due to legal restrictions.
Close protection officers should be calm under pressure, assertive, observant, and have strong communication skills. A professional and respectful attitude is essential when dealing with the public.
Handling conflict involves staying calm, assessing the situation, and using de-escalation techniques. Engaging with people professionally and avoiding unnecessary confrontations is key. The close protection training offered by Get Licensed covers a module on conflict management, equipping students with the knowledge they need to de-escalate situations and recognise risks.
While salaries vary based on experience, location, and role, the average pay for close protection officers in the UK ranges from £50 to £100 per hour.
Use a calm tone, open body language, and active listening to defuse tensions. If necessary, create physical space and call for backup rather than escalating the situation.
The first step is assessing the threat level and attempting to calm the situation through verbal communication before considering any further action.
"Very informative at all times helping to keep confidence of people of age not feel out of place. Good demonstration and clear communication and even exam reminded me of my a levels years ago. Well done"
For the last two days, I had Matt as my trainer and he was exceptional, super friendly,
answered questions with precision and expanded his knowledge so that I could fully understand.
Absolutely brilliant Matt, Thank you.
Read more
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