Types of SIA Licenses

To this end, in 2004, the SIA issued licenses to all then-active security operatives. These licenses could be revoked if the operative failed to abide by the law (particularly regarding the distinction between reasonable force and assault), legally perform their duties, or live up to professional standards. Licenses could be granted only after a training course had been completed and would need to be regularly renewed every 3 years.

In this feature, we’ll be examining the different kinds of SIA license, including the skills and training needed to apply for each one. We will highlight the roles and duties licensees perform, and thereby present the reader with the only overview needed to understand the specificities of each license, as well as how to obtain one.  

Which SIA Licence is best

For almost 20 years, an SIA license has been a requirement for almost anybody wishing to work within the UK security industry. Obtaining a license requires the applicant to complete an accredited training course (these can last anywhere from 2 – 6 days and cost around £250), before applying for the license itself.

License applications may be rejected (for example, in the case of an applicant failing to complete the training course, or having a criminal record – we recommend using the SIA’s criminal record indicator in cases wherein the latter may be applicable). Rejections can be contested and sometimes overturned. However, in cases of rejection, the applicant will find themselves unable to receive a refund, so it pays to be thorough when applying.

A successful applicant must be 18 years old or over, eligible to live and work in the UK, and have received the relevant qualifications. They must also pass a criminal record check, an identity check, and be able to pay for their application (where necessary). No part of the license fee is refundable.

An SIA license will expire 3 years after being issued, at which point, the operative must renew the license (and sometimes complete additional ‘top up’ training) at their own expense, or the expense of their employers.

At present, an SIA license application costs £184, with additional applications costing £92. The second amount does not cover Vehicle Immobiliser licenses, which always cost £184, and must be renewed once a year.

Further information about obtaining an SIA license can be found HERE.

Door Supervisor License

The door supervision license is by far the most versatile license offered by the SIA, as it allows the holder to seek employment in many areas.

Unsurprisingly, it is also the most widely held SIA license, with 66.5% of Britain’s security workforce currently in possession of one.

A door supervisor (DS) license is most often held by operatives working at pubs, clubs, venues, and other nightspots. It is also commonly held by retail security staff and operatives who guard outdoor events, such as PRIDE parades, music festivals, protests, and political rallies. Many City Centre Security Officers (CCSOs) also hold this license.

The holder of this license would benefit from being very thick-skinned, and not particularly sensitive to abuse or criticism, as being subject to various forms of abuse is an unfortunately common aspect of front-line security work. An even temper is also important.

DS license holders will also need to be able to defend themselves, both mentally and physically, as well as defending others when necessary. A good level of physical fitness is therefore very important for holders of this license.

Empathy and moral integrity are also key prerequisites of door supervision, as being able to connect with patrons on a personal level is an important strategy for mitigating violent scenarios.

Being an effective communicator is also important, as are good observation skills. Security work is a highly demanding field, and it asks a lot of those working within it (often without giving much in return, it must be said). A DS is a first responder, so calmness, confidence, and compassion will also go a long way in this role.

CCTV Operator License

The UK has one of the highest levels of surveillance in the world. Accordingly, it also has some of the world’s strictest privacy laws. The holder of a CCTV operator’s license, in essence, bridges the gap between these (sometimes contrasting) realities.

At the end of 2022, this license was held by 12.4% of UK-based security operatives.

According to estimates made by IFSEC Global, there were around 5.2 million CCTV cameras in operation in the UK as of 2020 (some estimates place this figure even higher). If these estimates are accurate, this means that there is at least 1 camera for every 13 people in this country.

96% of UK-based security cameras are owned and operated by private companies and/or individuals, and the average British person is captured on camera 13 times a day.

These figures clearly demonstrate a need for legal and ethical accountability regarding security footage, as well as a high level of professional competence regarding the handling of said footage. This is where CCTV operators enter the equation.

According to UK law, security footage cannot be viewed by anybody except the subject of the footage (pending a formal request), the relevant authorities (in cases where a crime has been committed or is suspected to have been committed), and a licensed CCTV operator or data controller.

A CCTV operator must have a keen eye for detail and good observation skills in general, as well as holding themselves to the highest ethical standards. They must be able to concentrate and focus their minds for extended periods. Good eyesight is also a must. A good CCTV operator is morally upstanding, responsible, and fully cognizant of data protection laws and their importance to British society.

When combined with a Door Supervision license, a CCTV operator’s license makes the holder highly employable within the security industry, able to occupy multiple roles and perform multiple tasks. For this reason, many DS license holders also hold CCTV operator licenses as a secondary option.

Security Guard License

A security guard (SG) license is similar in many ways to a door supervisor’s license but is more limited. While a door supervision license allows holders to guard all manner of events, areas, and premises, a security guard license is more specific; only allowing the holder to guard retail and some business environments.

As of 2022, this license was held by 14.4% of UK-based security operatives.

Many of the requirements of this license are similar to those of a DS license. For example, the same emphasis is placed on people skills, communication, attention to detail, and physical fitness.

As with a DS license, the holder of this license will also need a thick skin, as despite not being the target of as much physical or verbal abuse as a DS, they will still be regularly subjected to disgruntled, or even aggressive, customers or shoplifters.

Despite the similarities between roles, the methods of interaction between the operative and the public differ significantly in a retail-specific role. Customer service plays a far larger part, for example, as security operatives are often asked by customers to help them locate goods or sections of the shop, and other duties (such as helping customers navigate ‘one-way’ systems during the pandemic) are performed in addition to regular security work.

A retail security operative (RSO) must therefore be skilled in customer service, and willing to assist retail colleagues where appropriate or necessary. The ability to be observant without putting shoppers off is very important here. The onus is on the RSO to contribute to a warm and welcoming shopping environment for customers.

Additionally, different stores will take different attitudes to unruly customers or shoplifters. Some will prosecute every time, requiring the RSO to detain transgressors while the police arrive, others will simply want operatives to pass a description on to the police, but make no attempt to physically interact with the troublemaker(s). Each business is different; a fact that requires RSOs to be adaptable and follow instructions well.

As with all other security operatives, licensed security guards are first responders, and will be required to assist in cases of medical or other emergencies.

Close Protection License

A close protection (CP) license allows the holder to provide intensive personal security for one person, or a small group of people. Typically (but not exclusively), these will be public figures, or those who are very wealthy.

Close protection license holders will likely spend their time guarding celebrities, high-ranking politicians, prominent businesspeople, and others of high income or social status. The job is to protect them from those who might seek to do them harm.  

This license is far less widely held than the others we’ve examined so far, with only 3.3% of UK-based security operatives holding one as of 2022.

Although general skills (observation skills, physical fitness, etc) will be common to all CP assignments, the holder of this license will need to tailor their duties to suit the specific needs of their client. For example, a politician or celebrity may insist upon making a public appearance, despite credible threats being made against them. Additionally, some clients may require a greater degree of discretion or privacy, while others will simply go about their business without noticing the presence of the operative. The operative’s goal in these cases is to perform their duties with minimal disruption to the client’s routine.

Versatility is also important, as no 2 CP assignments are the same. Some clients, for example, are very friendly towards those guarding them, eager to start a conversation and find common ground, others, however, may be brusque, dismissive, or even standoffish towards the operative. Being able to separate personal feelings (positive or negative) for the client to guard them well is a key prerequisite of holding a CP license.

Assessing which threats are credible and which are not (while preparing for all eventualities), is also an important part of CP work. Other duties include assessing areas before the client’s arrival (e.g., before a musician takes the stage, or a politician delivers a speech), remaining alert during demanding circumstances (such as when large crowds of people attempt to ‘mob’ the client), and providing clients with an escort to and from official functions.

A successful CP license holder will be able to build a rapport with the client if the client wishes, but also remain detached and professional if the client prefers it that way. They will be cool-headed, laterally minded, and very patient. They must have a keen working knowledge of public safety and self-defence techniques. They must also pay attention to detail, while applying a high level of thoroughness and exactitude to each duty they perform. 

Leadership skills are also very important for a CP license holder. The client may be the one to issue orders most of the time, but during a crisis, it is the operative’s job to take charge and see that the client escapes unscathed.

Keyholder License

A keyholding (KH) license allows the holder to be entrusted with the keys to various premises, either for the purposes of locking, unlocking, or emergency access.

This is not a very widely held license, with only 0.3% of UK-based security operatives holding one as of 2022. However, many of the operatives who hold this license hold it alongside others.  

A keyholder’s license only allows the holder to be in possession of important keys or passwords. It does not allow the holder to respond to alarms or search the premises. To undertake these actions, the operative would require a different license.

The principal responsibilities of this license, in addition to safely and securely looking after the keys in question, involve reacting quickly to emergency situations such as break-ins or fires, as they develop. Whilst the license holder may not respond to these threats directly (unless they hold a separate license, such as a DS license), they will be responsible for alerting the authorities and providing access to the premises.

The most important qualities of a KH license holder, then, are reliability and coolness under pressure. A keyholder must be able to take excellent care of the keys in their possession, not only keeping them safe from harm, but also ensuring that they are clean, usable, and easy to access at a moment’s notice.

A good keyholder is responsible, reliable, and trustworthy, with quick reaction times that enable them to take appropriate action at a moment’s notice.

Protection of Cash & Valuables in Transit License

A cash & valuables in transit (CVT) license enables the holder to protect money and goods as they are transported from place-to-place. This license specifically applies to the protection of property, unlike most SIA licenses, which predominantly focus on the protection of people or places.

As of the end of 2022, this license was held by just 1.1% of security operatives based in the UK.

In instances wherein a supply of cash is required to operate successfully (e.g., a retail environment or a bank), physical money must be driven from one location to another.

A CVT license holder must be responsible for the safe passage of large amounts of money or property of significant monetary value. They are ultimately responsible for the money or items in their care.

An active driver’s license, as well as excellent driving skills are needed to do this job well. CVT license holders may be required to spend prolonged periods of time in their vehicles, so a good knowledge of roads and routes may also be useful (although, in many cases, a pre-designated route will have already been decided upon by the client).

A good CVT license holder is first and foremost a good driver, as well as a trustworthy and responsible person in general. They will also be highly observant and able to anticipate potential threats and guard against them.

A CVT license is beneficial for those who work for businesses or banks. Many retail companies also employ CVT license holders.

Vehicle Immobilising License

A vehicle immobilising (VI) license permits the holder to stop vehicles from moving, remove illegally parked (or abandoned) vehicles, clamp vehicles found to be in violation of the law (or rules of a private area) and charge vehicle owners with fines, where necessary. This license only applies in Northern Ireland, and nowhere else in the United Kingdom.

At the end of 2022, a VI license was held by 0.1% of UK-based security operatives.

A good vehicle immobilisation license holder will be able to keep a cool head (many motorists will be unhappy to be clamped and/or fined and some may react aggressively), as well as discharging their duties according to the law, rather than any personal bias or other impulse. They will be responsible, approachable, thick-skinned, and fair-minded; able to explain the reasons for a fine or clamp to an irate vehicle owner in a calm, informative, and peaceable manner.

A reasonable level of empathy is a plus point in this position, as it helps operatives to connect with a public that is, in many cases, predisposed to dislike both them and the job they do.

Which License is Right for You?

If you’re looking to obtain an SIA license, the high likelihood is that a door supervision license will be the best choice. Many of the licenses offered by the SIA fit neatly alongside a DS license, but don’t have a huge amount of earning potential by themselves. By contrast, a DS license holder can begin earning money almost immediately and can then ‘top up’ those earnings by applying for additional licenses (such as CCTV operation or keyholding).

A door supervision license enables holders to find the most work, essentially by virtue of casting the widest net. A licensed DS can work indoors or outdoors, across all manner of events and, whether salaried or freelance, can legally occupy the largest number of roles within the security industry.

A security guard license, by contrast, may qualify the holder to guard retail spaces (and some corporate environments), but this is where the opportunities end. It’s a fine license to hold in cases where a salaried position, with regular, reliable hours, is being offered, but it’s far less versatile than a DS license for those seeking multiple employers/clients, as well as a flexible timetable.

A CCTV operator’s license by itself can be a good source of income for the right operative, but it achieves its full potential only when combined with a DS license. A CCTV-licensed operative may monitor security footage but is not qualified to investigate what they find without first holding another license. This fact can limit employment opportunities for those who only hold the one license.

Other SIA licenses are also less general and more specialised, with available roles less commonly found as a result. A close protection license, for example, is a highly specialised license that requires a greater degree of training, leading to a higher risk of failure. Fewer positions are available, and thus fewer licenses are issued.

Keyholding, CVT, and vehicle immobilising licenses are only useful to those operatives that are looking to work in those specific areas. Although these licenses will look good on any operative’s resumé, their potential for boosting income is limited to those who wish to employ the operative for the duties specified by the license.

We therefore recommend that first-time applicants explore a door supervision license first and foremost, as this is the license most likely to bring them the widest range of employment opportunities.

Of course, different licenses exist to suit a multitude of situations, so finding the right license can be as simple as asking yourself what area of security you would like to work in and contrasting that with nearby opportunities (these can be found by searching online or visiting your local JobCentre).

Does Every Security Operative Need an SIA License?

Most security operatives wishing to work in the UK will require one or more of the SIA licenses discussed above. However, not every UK-based security operative needs a license to go to work.

If the operative is performing their duties as part of a ‘contract for services’ arrangement, and said work is considered a ‘licensable activity’ by UK law, it will be illegal to perform said duties without an official license.

For clarity, a ‘contract for services’ occurs when an employer has a contract to supply an employee’s services to a separate company or organisation. This is the case for many UK-based security operatives, who are employed by security firms that in turn sub-contract them to work for clients such as pubs, clubs, venues, or shops.

This definition would also apply to a self-employed security operative who is awarded a job protecting a visitor to the UK (in this case a CP license would be required).

A ‘licensable activity’ is any activity that requires a license before it can be engaged in.

Since these definitions cover most security work available in the UK, SIA licenses are basically a prerequisite. However, as stated above, there are instances wherein an SIA license is not usually required.

If you are working ‘in house’ (i.e., you are directly employed by the company that uses your services, and not sub-contracted by another firm), you are unlikely to require an SIA license. An example of this would be a retail security operative who is employed by the store(s) they guard. In this case, the operative is considered an employee of the store. Their duties will be the same as almost any other RSO, but they will not need to be licensed to discharge them.

The 2021 MEN report, with its MR7 recommendation,

“The requirement that only those monitoring CCTV under a contract for services need to hold an SIA licence should be reviewed”

suggested a review of all in-house and security industry workers, advocating for the necessity of an SIA license. Specifically focusing on CCTV, this review should cover all ‘in-house’ security activites.

Non-front-Line Licenses

It is also possible for security professionals to hold ‘non-front-line’ SIA licenses. In these cases, the license does not qualify the holder to supervise doors, or guard premises, but does enable them to supervise and manage front-line security operatives. This license (which takes the form of a formal letter, rather than the usual ID-sized card) is specifically intended for employers, managers, and those who run their own security firms.

And Finally

It has been more than 20 years since the SIA’s official implementation. For those old enough to do so, it’s worth taking stock of just how far we’ve come as an industry in that time. There’s a lot of ground still to cover, but the last 20+ years have demonstrated that progress is always possible.

Compulsory SIA licenses have helped to refresh and replenish an industry once plagued by questionable activities and dubious behaviour. It has seen those who did not meet professional expectations stripped of their titles, and those that did receive training in new tactics designed to mitigate, rather than exacerbate, potentially volatile situations.

We have voiced concerns elsewhere about the costs and other complexities of obtaining (and renewing) an SIA license, but we ultimately take the view that the license was – and remains – a key development in the modernisation of the security industry, not just in the UK, but also globally.