You need an SIA licence to work in private security. Here is the whole process, start to finish, and how to pick the right licence for the security role you want.
Pick the job you want and we will point you at the right licence.
Doors, events, retail, offices. Covers all guarding roles
Pay
£13 to £25 an hour
Training
6 days
Training from
£229.99
SIA licence
£204
Static guarding, patrols, key-
holding, retail
Pay
£13 to £18 an hour
Training
4 days
Training from
£189.99
SIA licence
£204
Control rooms, public space
surveillance
Pay
£14 to £20 an hour
Training
3 days
Training from
£219.99
SIA licence
£204
Bodyguard, VIP security, asset
protection
Pay
£200 to £400 a day
Training
16 to 19 days
Training from
£1,994
SIA licence
£204
A Door Supervisor licence costs about £434 all in. At £13 to £25 an hour, most people earn that
back in their first week of shifts.
You do not need to be a UK citizen, just the right to work in the UK. Pick your passport to see the exact process:
This page covers getting your first SIA licence. If yours is coming up for renewal, the renewal guide walks you through the whole process.
Take the free starter pack and career guide. What the job pays city by city, how the licence works, free mock exams, and how people get their first shift. Straight to your inbox.
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The licence type follows the licensable activity and the job you want to do. Common front-line routes include Door Supervisor, Security Guard, CCTV Operator and Close Protection.
If you are unsure which licence matches your intended role, start with the Security career page or use the right-course selector before booking training.
The Door Supervisor course, Security Guard course and CCTV course each explain the training route for that licence.
The CCTV Operator licence is suited to control-room and public-space surveillance work, while Close Protection is the specialist route for bodyguard and VIP security.
The licence comparison sets out the training length, likely roles and course routes. If you are still unsure, the right-course selector can help match your goals to a training route.
The total cost is the current course fee plus the SIA application fee and any required first-aid training. Course prices vary, so check the current Security Guard training, Door Supervisor training and CCTV training pages before booking.
The SIA checks identity, right to work and criminal-record information, along with other suitability information where relevant. If you are unsure whether something on your record could affect your application, use the SIA criminal record checker and read the current SIA guidance before booking.
Preparation helps: attend every session, ask your trainer questions and use the relevant mock exams. The free SIA mock exams help you practise before the assessment, while the Security career page links to the main training routes.
For example, Door Supervisor licence holders should complete the Door Supervisor Top-Up Refresher, while Security Guard licence holders need the Security Guard Top-Up Refresher.
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A career where people count on you starts with one licence and a few days of training.
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