SIA Qualification

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualification provides the foundational skills and training necessary to work within the private security industry in the United Kingdom. Obtaining this qualification is the first step towards getting the SIA license, an essential requirement for roles in manned guarding, cash and valuables in transit, close protection, public space surveillance, and key holding. This guide aims to provide comprehensive information on the training you need for your desired role in the security sector.

Door Supervisor Licence

Qualifications accepted by the SIA

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will accept the following qualifications for a Door Supervisor Licence:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)
  • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
  • SFJ Awards
  • Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications.

Furthermore, the SIA might accept an older qualification if you are applying for a door supervisor licence and have held it before. This is only possible under the following conditions:

  • It has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive.
  • You also hold one of the top-up qualifications listed below.

If it has been longer than 3 years since your old licence became inactive, a new, current qualification will be required before a new licence application.

A comprehensive list of older qualifications accepted, awarded between 2010 and 2021, and until 2010, is available on the SIA website. For top-up qualifications, SIA will accept the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Top-up) and Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Top up), awarded by British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB) and Highfield Qualifications.

Security Guarding Licence

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will accept the following qualifications for a Security Guarding Licence:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)
  • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
  • SFJ Awards
  • Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications.

If you are applying for a security guarding licence and you have held it before, the SIA may accept an older qualification, provided both the following conditions are met:

  • It has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive.
  • You also hold one of the top-up qualifications listed below.

If it has been longer than 3 years since your old licence became inactive, you will need to acquire a new, current qualification before you can apply for a new licence.

The SIA accepts the following qualifications awarded between 2015 and 2021:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • Education Qualifications and Awards Ltd (EQ Awards) (formerly AoFAQ)
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • IQ/SFJ Awards
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)
  • Pearson Qualification Network (QNUK)

The SIA also accepts the following qualifications awarded between 2010 and 2015:

  • Level 2 Award in Security Guarding, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • City & Guilds
  • Edexcel
  • EDI
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Industry Qualifications Limited (IQ)
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)

For qualifications awarded before 2010, the SIA accepts:

  • Award in Security Guarding (Scotland), awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping (BIIAB)
  • City & Guilds
  • EDI
  • NOCN
  • City & Guilds Level 2 BTEC Award in Security Operations
  • National Certificate for Security Guards

Additionally, the SIA will accept the following top-up qualifications:

  • Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Top up)
  • Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Top up), awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications.

Close Protection Licence

The SIA will accept the following qualifications for a Close Protection Licence:

  • Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
    • Highfield Qualifications
    • National Open College Network (NOCN)
    • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
    • SFJ Awards

    For older qualifications, if you are applying for a close protection licence and you have held it before, we may accept an older qualification. We only do this if it has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive. If it has been longer than 3 years since your old licence became inactive, you need to get a new, current qualification before you can apply for a new licence.

    We accept the following qualifications awarded between 2015 and 2022:

    • Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
    • Highfield Qualifications
    • National Open College Network (NOCN)
    • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
    • SFJ Awards

    We accept the following qualifications awarded between 2010 and 2015:

    • Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection, awarded by:
    • Edexcel
    • Highfield Qualifications
    • Industry Qualifications Limited (IQ)

    We accept the following qualifications awarded until 2010:

    • Certificate in Protective Security, awarded by: Buckinghamshire New University
    • Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection, awarded by: City & Guilds
    • Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Close Protection Operations, awarded by: Edexcel

    For top-up qualifications, we will accept the following:

    • Level 2 Award for Close Protection Operatives (Top up), awarded by:
    • Highfield Qualifications
    • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
    • SFJ Awards.

Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) Licence

For a Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) Licence, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) accepts the following qualifications:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)
  • Pearson Qualifications Network (QNUK)
  • SFJ Awards
  • Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF level 6, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • Highfield Qualifications

If you are applying for a public space surveillance licence and you have held it before, we may accept an older qualification. We only do this if it has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive. If it has been longer than 3 years since your old licence became inactive, you need to get a new, current qualification before you can apply for a new licence.

We accept the following qualifications awarded between 2015 and 2021:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • City & Guilds
  • Education Qualifications and Awards Ltd (formerly AoFAQ)
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • IQ/SFJ Awards
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • NOCN
  • Pearson

We accept the following qualifications awarded between 2010 and 2015:

  • Level 2 Award in CCTV Operations (Public Space Surveillance), awarded by:
  • British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB)
  • City & Guilds
  • Edexcel
  • EDI
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Industry Qualifications (IQ)
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)

We accept the following qualifications awarded until 2010:

  • Level 2 Certificate for CCTV Operatives (Public Space Surveillance)
  • ASET Certificate for CCTV Operatives (Public Space Surveillance) in Scotland, awarded by EDI
  • National Certificate for CCTV Operators (Public Space Surveillance)
  • National Certificate for CCTV Operators (Public Space Surveillance) (Scotland), awarded by BIIAB
  • Level 2 Award for CCTV Operators (Public Space Surveillance)
  • Level 2 Award for CCTV Operators (Public Space Surveillance) Scotland, awarded by City & Guilds
  • Level 2 BTEC Award in CCTV Operations (Public Space Surveillance)

Please ensure that your qualification is in accordance with these specifications before applying for your SIA licence.

Key Holding Licence

While there are no specific training requirements or qualifications necessary to obtain a key holding licence, the nature of the activities carried out when responding to a call-out may fall under the category of manned guarding activities. If this is the case, the appropriate front line licence and corresponding qualification will be necessary. Hence, it’s crucial to accurately assess the nature of your duties prior to application to ensure you possess the appropriate licensing and qualifications.

Vehicle Immobilising License

The vehicle immobiliser license is a front line license specifically designed for security operatives working exclusively in Northern Ireland. The primary role of the license holder is to restrict or prevent the movement of a vehicle, or completely remove it, after which a fee is charged to the owner for its release.

The execution of these duties typically involves the use of a wheel clamp. This specialized license ensures that individuals performing this line of work are appropriately trained and licensed in accordance with local regulations.

Cash and Valuables in Transit Licence

The SIA will accept the following qualifications for a cash and valuables in transit licence:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)

Older Qualifications

If you are applying for a cash and valuables in transit licence and you have held it before, we may accept an older qualification. This is only applicable if it has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive. If it has been longer than 3 years since your old licence became inactive, you need to get a new, current qualification before you can apply for a new licence.

We accept the following qualifications awarded between 2015 and 2021:

  • Level 2 Award for Working as a Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative within the Private Security Industry, awarded by:
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • NOCN

We also accept the following qualifications awarded between 2010 and 2015:

  • Level 2 Award in Cash and Valuables in Transit, awarded by:
  • Highfield Qualifications
  • Laser Learning Awards
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)

Lastly, we accept the following qualifications awarded until 2010:

  • Level 2 Award in Cash and Valuables in Transit, awarded by:
  • National Open College Network (NOCN)