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The SIA Door Supervisor Licence allows you to legally work as a Door Supervisor anywhere in the United Kingdom. It is valid for 3 years.
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The Door Supervisor Licence allows holders to work in the private security industry in a variety of roles.
The licence is issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and is valid for 3 years. With the SIA Door Supervisor Licence individuals can work in pubs, bars, shops, malls, office buildings and more. Primary responsibilities include keeping the public safe from harm and protecting private property.
If you are conducting the licensable activities of a Door Supervisor, such as protecting private property or members of the public, then by law you require an SIA Licence. In certain circumstances, however, your employer may have been given an exemption under Section 4(4) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
If you're serious about the work, the requirements won't be what stops you. And a past
conviction doesn't automatically rule you out. The SIA looks at each case individually,
so check before you count yourself out.
Be 18 years of age or older
Have the right to work in the UK
Pass the Door Supervisor Course
Pass the SIA's identity and criminal background checks
You will need to verify your identity to satisfy parts of your SIA application, namely your photo ID. The easiest way to do this is at the Post Office, where staff check your documents and take your photo.
You'll need one primary identity document, such as a passport or UK driving licence, plus two supporting documents, one of which must show your current address.
The SIA Door Supervisor Licence costs £190 and the licence is valid for 3 years. The fee covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable. For further information, please refer to the Official SIA Website.
Applying for more than one licence in the same application? The first licence costs £190 and each additional licence is half price at £95. The discount only applies when the licences are part of the same application.
If you're looking to renew your SIA Door Supervisor Licence, completing the SIA Top-Up Refresher Training for Door Supervisors is essential. It keeps you compliant with the latest SIA standards and fully prepared for today's security challenges.
You can start renewing your current SIA Door Supervisor Licence 4 months before it is due to expire. The new licence will commence only after your current licence has expired. The application cost is a non-refundable £190.
Book the Top-Up Refresher training
Terror threat awareness
Advanced physical intervention skills
Vulnerability awareness
Updated skills and knowledge that keep you ready for the demands of the role, and keep your licence valid.
The SIA calls this licensing integration. For some licences, individuals who meet one licensing criterion can carry out related licensable activities:
Security Guard work
Key holding work
Door Supervisor work
To apply for the Door Supervisor Licence, the SIA requires you to complete formal training and pass the assessment. The Door Supervisor training course runs over 6 days and contains 4 units:
The law, your powers and your responsibilities. When something goes wrong, you are the one who knows what to do.
Licensing law, search procedures and drugs awareness. A venue runs safe because the person on the door knows this.
Reading a room, stepping in early and talking trouble down. Most nights, your voice is the only tool you need.
Safe, legal restraint and disengagement, trained on your feet. For the rare moments when talking is not enough, you are ready.
Multiple-choice exams with results the same day. You walk out qualified, with the licence application ready to go.
Reading a room, defusing conflict and staying calm under pressure. The course trains you for the door, but these follow you everywhere.
The course is assessed by 4 multiple choice exams and a practical exam. These will be held on the last day and will test your knowledge of the content taught during the course.
| Unit | Assessment | Questions | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Working in the Private Security Industry | Multiple-choice exam | 72 | 70% (51/72) |
| 2 · Working as a Door Supervisor | Multiple-choice exam | 50 | 70% (35/50) |
| 3 · Conflict Management | Multiple-choice exam | 20 | 70% (14/20) |
| 4 · Physical Intervention Includes practical | Multiple-choice exam + practical demo | 30 + demo | 80% (24/30) & 100% practical |
The free starter pack and career guide. What the job pays, how the licence works, free mock exams, and how people get their first shift.
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The SIA Door Supervisor Licence costs a non-refundable £190. This is paid directly to SIA, who are the licensing authority for the security industry.
Your SIA Door Supervisor Licence is valid for 3 years. Once it expires, you can simply take a refresher course and re-apply for it.
To be eligible for the SIA Door Supervisor Licence, you need to pass the Door Supervisor Course, be at least 18 years old and have the right to live and work in the UK. You also have to pass SIA’s criminal background check. You can check using our SIA Criminal Record Tool.
The Door Supervisor Course introduces you to the fundamentals of working in the security industry. It runs over 6 days and is a requirement for obtaining the SIA Door Supervisor Licence. By the end of the course you will achieve the Level 2 Award for working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry.
The SIA checks the criminal background of applicants through a DBS check, as well as verifying their identity.
Having a criminal record does not prevent you from obtaining an SIA Licence, but this does depend on the type of offence and SIA. It is best to contact the SIA directly if you are considering applying for a licence. It is worth noting that the £190 licence application fee is non-refundable.
According to the SIA website, it takes 25 working days to process a licence application. In some cases, this can take up to 6 weeks due to additional security checks.
The SIA Door Supervisor Licence enables you to work in the private security industry. Places you can work include pubs, bars, shops, malls and office buildings.
It is illegal to work in the security industry without an SIA Licence. However, some employers can qualify for exemptions under Section 4(4) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Although very similar, the SIA Guarding Licence restricts you from working in certain environments such as at licensed premises where alcohol is served. The SIA Door Supervisor Licence, on the other hand, does not have this type of restriction and gives you greater access to employment opportunities. Moreover, it is also easier to renew your SIA Licence as a Door Supervisor once it expires after 3 years. To give you the best chance with your career, Get Licensed recommends the Door Supervisor Licence.
Licence Integration is where an SIA licence that is for one licensable activity can be used for another licensable area. For example, if you have a Close Protection Licence, the SIA allows you to use your licence to work as a Door Supervisor.
To read our full list of FAQ's, click here.
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