SIA Licence Training & SIA Licence

Welcome to SIA Licence Training the independent source for information about the SIA licence.

We hope to provide you with the training course, qualification information and how to get a sia licence resource links you’ll need for your personal licence in cctv, security, physical intervention, close protection, security guarding and all other areas of the regulated UK security industry.

What is an SIA Licence

So let us first start at the beginning with the question of what is an SIA licence?

The SIA licence is a required qualification that anyone wanting to work in the UK security industry must hold. It was established in 2001 with the aim to create a uniform standard of service and training in what was previously an unregulated, and often more ‘shady’ industry.

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating (through the issue of an sia licence) the private security industry. “One of the main duties of the SIA is the compulsory licensing of individuals working in specific sectors of the private security industry. Their remit currently covers England, Wales and Scotland.”

There are currently 6 different types of SIA licence:

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) SIA Licence

Undertaking and passing the CCTV Operator training course means that you will hold a recognised national qualification that meets the Security Industry Authority requirements for SIA licensing.

This is also often referred to as Public Space Surveillance. You will need a sia licence if you currently work or wish to work as a CCTV operator or if your responsibilities include some elements of CCTV (PSS) surveillance security.

Upon completion of a training course you will achieve an excellent understanding of all aspects of the role of a CCTV operator and be able to apply for your SIA licence, increasing your opportunities for employment.

Close Protection SIA Licence

Undertaking and passing the Close Protection Operative training course means that you will hold a recognised national qualification that meets the Security Industry Authority requirements for SIA licensing.

This course and licence is required for those wishing to begin a career as a Close Protection Officer or for those with experience who require their SIA licence.

The roles and duties of a Close Protection Operative are more complex and more diverse than ever before. Simply gaining the knowledge to attain an SIA licence is not really enough which is why training today is constantly updated to ensure that you are prepared to go on to perform in this security field are prepared for whatever is thrown at them.

Door Supervisor SIA Licence

You will need a licence if you work as a door supervisor and are responsible for security, protection, screening the suitability of people entering premises or dealing with conflict in pubs, clubs and other licensed premises open to the public.

Undertaking and passing our Door Supervisor training course means means that you will hold a recognised national qualification that meets the Security Industry Authority requirements for SIA licensing.

With a Door Supervisors SIA Licence you can work in many areas of the Security Industry from Security Guarding through to Event Security and other licensed premises so you would be increasing your opportunities for extra employment.

Vehicle Immobiliser (Wheel Clamping) SIA Licence

This is a legally required sia licence for anyone currently working, or wishing to begin work as a vehicle immobiliser (wheel clamper) or if you are undertaking any of the following activities:

The removal of a vehicle by any means, the restriction of the movement of a vehicle by any means (including the immobilisation of a vehicle by attaching a device to it), the release of a vehicle which has been so moved or restricted, where release is effected by returning the vehicle to the control of the person who was otherwise entitled to remove it, by removing any restriction on the movement of the vehicle by removing the device or by any other means, the demanding or collection of a charge as a condition of any such release of or for the removal of the device from a vehicle.

Cash & Valuables In Transit SIA Licence

This is a legally required sia licence for anyone currently working in the transport of cash and valuables (CVIT). A Cash and Valuables in Transit licence is necessary any time safeguarding property against destruction or harm, against being thieved or against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained, concerning the safeguarded transportation of property in vehicles uniquely manufactured or modified in order to have secure transportation as their principal function.

This applies if your services are supplied for the purposes of or in connection with any contract to a consumer.

Security Guard SIA Licence

A Security licence is required when manned guarding activity that does not fall under the descriptions of door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, or public space surveillance (CCTV) is undertaken

It is illegal to work without one a valid SIA licence.

So know we have established the what an SIA licence is and the different types of licence that are available the next question is how to get a SIA licence?

SIA Licence Training

Every individual who wishes get a job in any one of specific sectors of the private security industry must obtain the relevant SIA licence through a process of undertaking an SIA licence training course followed by a licence application process.

SIA Licence Criminal Record

First let’s just get a commonly asked question out of the way. The SIA Licence criminal record issue. It’s a commonly misunderstood issue that many presume that having a criminal record will automatically mean you will not be approved for an SIA licence. This is not true, you will not automatically be dis-approved for your licence but if you have charges (including charges awaiting trial), warnings, cautions and/or convictions there are various criteria that will go into a ruling made by the Security Industry Authority. This criteria include the date of the offence (compared to the date of your licence application), the seriousness of the offence, any sentence received and served for an offence. So having a record does not affect you getting training but will just affect your application process. As a general rule if you apply within 12 months of the sentence given upon conviction has been clear you will be refused (and this can be increased up to 5 years for more serious offences). For specifics it is often worth contacting the SIA directly.

SIA Licence Training Courses

So now with that issue covered we’ll cover the SIA training courses.

The training will differ depending upon which security sector you wish to become licensed to work in but you’ll find that the majority of courses are covered in most major cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds & Manchester. Most courses, such as a typical door supervisor course, are simple 1 or 2 day affairs comprising of lectures, practical examples and a written examination. More complex jobs such as close protection involve much more intensive and longer training. The cost of training courses will also vary depending upon the licence your aiming to obtain and also vary between different training providers. A simple online search for something like ‘sia licence training course’ plus a city near you or a search like ‘sia licence training London’ should return several options for you to choose from. You can also easily browse our website to discover more information about and links to recommended SIA Licence Training Courses.

We mentioned previously that the cost will vary depending upon the course and the training provider so total costs can not be easily defined but the cost of the application and licence renewal is a fixed fee. There are a few companies who, through a scheme of subsidies, are providing free SIA licence training so if you find these opportunities you should take the time to check out the reputation and history of the provider. It’s important to keep in mind that, especially in this field, you’ll get what you pay for and that the cheapest option is not always the smartest choice. It is usually a very good idea to find a training course, such as cctv training, from a cctv training specialist because they will be able to assist you with your licence application and also help you get into an SIA licence job quickly through their contacts. Some supervisor training and supervisor course trainings provide this service as part of their sia licence training package. There is a difference between getting training that is just enough for you to pass a test and get a licence and training that will set you up to perform your job with confidence!

SIA Licence Training

SIA Licence Application

When you have undertaken and passed the required SIA licence training course for your chosen industry sector then you’ll need to apply for SIA licence via the SIA licence form. This is done by submitting the SIA licence application form to the SIA. It’s not uncommon for your SIA licence training provider to include this as part of their service or indeed to provide guidance and assistance or charge an extra nominal fee. The time from application to receiving your licence can vary depending upon the licence applied for and also the time of year as there, as with all businesses, are busy time in the SIA office than can lead to a little backlog.

You, either yourself or through your training provider with be able to check the state of your SIA licence application through the SIA licence tracker. The SIA licence application tracker is an online facility that will provide you with information and notification of approval which is a useful tool when looking for employment in SIA licence jobs. Remember that you cannot work without a valid licence but once you know you have been approved there is nothing wrong with looking for work and applying for employment while your licence is in the post on it’s way to you.

This does raise a very important point regarding working security jobs without SIA licence: This is not legal. You be a current and valid SIA licence holder to work sia licence jobs. There are often regular SIA licence checker drives done by the Security Industry Authorities and they regularly catch law breakers. We often report these news stories in the SIA Licence Training News section of our website. It’s extremely important that you never forget the following facts.

SIA Licence Training & Legal Responsibility

Remember that it it you, the operative, who are responsible for obtaining a licence to work legally within the private security industry. You will be breaking the law if you work without a licence and your employer will be breaking the law if they use unlicensed staff. It is not your employer’s responsibility to get you licensed, but it is their responsibility to ensure that their security staff always have the right licence for the role they ask them to perform. So if you want to work legally in the private security industry then it is your job to ensure you get the correct sia licence training from a trusted SIA licence training provider.