Find out if you need an SIA licence (2023)

If you work in the private security industry without an SIA licence you may be breaking the law.

This guidance explains when you will need a licence and, if you do, what licence you will need.

When you need an SIA licence to work as a security operative

If you are going to work as a security operative in the UK, you may need a front line SIA licence.

You will need an SIA licence if the work you will be doing is part of a ‘contract for services’ and involves a ‘licensable activity’.

A ‘contract for services’ is when you or your employer have a contract to supply your services to another organisation. For example:

• your employer is a private security company that places you as a guard in a shop and then charges that shop a fee for your services
• you are self-employed and your business is contracted to provide close protection services to a person visiting the UK

A ‘licensable activity’ is a job that you requires you to hold a licence before you can do it. Read more about licensable activities.

If you will be working ‘in-house’

You do not usually need an SIA licence if you will be working ‘in-house’. This is when you are employed directly by the company that uses your services - for example, your employer is a supermarket chain and you work as a security guard in one of their shops.

There are 2 licensable activities where you must have an SIA licence whether you work in-house or as part of a contract for services. These are:

• door supervision at a licensed premises
• vehicle immobilising – this only applies in Northern Ireland

When you need an SIA licence as a director or manager

You will need a front line or non-front line SIA licence if both of the following statements are true:

• you are a director of a company, a partner of a firm, or a manager or supervisor of employees
• your business supplies other organisations with security operatives as part of a contract for services

You must have a front line licence if you personally perform licensable activities at any point – whatever your job title or position within your organisation.

Read more about front line and non-front line licences.

When you do not need an SIA licence

There are situations where you will not need a licence.

You do not need a licence to:

• volunteer - as long as you have a written or spoken agreement that you will not receive any payment or reward for your work
• check people have paid for entry to an event or that they have an invitation - but if you then refuse them entry and/or make them leave, you will need a licence
• perform stewarding duties, such as directing people to their seats, toilets or first-aid facilities

You do not need a licence if you work at an airport and both of the following statements are true:

• you are responsible for screening, access control or other security controls
• you were recruited and trained in line with EU Commission regulation 185/2010

You do not need a licence to work in-house at a certified sports ground in England or Wales. A certified sports ground is one that has an active safety certificate. If another team visits a certified sports ground, their employees will not need a licence as long as the team also has a certified sports ground.

If you will be working ‘in-house’

You do not usually need an SIA licence if you will be working ‘in-house’. This is when you are employed directly by the company that uses your services. However, you will need to have an SIA licence if you work in-house and your job involves:

• door supervision at a licensed premises
• vehicle immobilising – this only applies in Northern Ireland

Front-line and non-front line licences

There are 2 types of SIA licence:

• front line licence
• non-front line licence

Front line licence

You must have a front line licence if you personally perform a licensable front line activity as part of your job. This applies to any job role – for example: employee, manager of employees, or director of a company.

Read more about job activities that need a licence.

Most front line licences come in the form of a plastic photocard that you must wear when you are working. The exception to this is the key holding licence, which comes in the form of a letter.

If your job involves covert activity (e.g. store detective), then you do not need to display your licence.

Non-front line licence

You must have a front line or non-front line licence if:

• you manage, supervise and/or employ individuals who perform licensable activities in their job
• you are a director of a company, or partner of a firm, where any other directors, partners or employees of that company or firm perform licensable activities in their job

A non-front line licence comes in the form of a letter.

Job activities that need a licence (licensable activities)

The following job activities are all licensable:

• manned guarding
• key holding
• vehicle immobilisation (Northern Ireland only)

Manned guarding

Manned guarding licences are all front line licences.

There are 5 types of manned guarding licence:

• cash and valuables in transit licence – for guarding property against damage or theft and transporting it in a vehicle designed for secure transportation
• close protection licence – for guarding people against physical assault or injury
• door supervision licence – for guarding licensed premises against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour
• public space surveillance licence – for guarding premises, property or people by using CCTV equipment to:
  • watch members of the public or identify particular people
  • guard against disorder or protect people from assault (this includes using CCTV to stop these things from happening or provide information about them if they do happen)
• security guard licence – for guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour

‘Property’ usually means objects that belong to a person or business.

‘Premises’ means buildings and/or land that belong to a person or business.

‘Licensed premises’ means a venue that has a licence to do one or both of the following:

• sell alcohol for consumption on the premises
• provide regulated entertainment (for example: boxing, wrestling or film screenings)

Key holding

The key holding licence is a front line licence.

It is for security work that involves keeping, or controlling access to, any key or device for operating a lock.

Vehicle immobilisation

The vehicle immobiliser licence is a front line licence for security operatives working in Northern Ireland only.

It is for work that involves preventing or restricting the movement of a vehicle, or removing it, and then charging the owner to release it. This activity may involve the use of a wheel clamp.

Licences that cover more than one job activity (licensing integration)

You will usually need to get a licence for each type of licensable activity that you do. For example: if you work as a security guard and as a CCTV operator, you will need a security guarding licence and a public space surveillance (CCTV) licence.

In some cases, if you hold an SIA licence for one licensable activity, you will also be able to perform activities covered by other licences.

Front line licences

All front line licences allow you to perform the activities covered by a non-front line licence.

If you hold a close protection licence, you are also covered for:

• door supervision
• security guarding
• using CCTV to identify a trespasser or protect property

If you hold a door supervisor licence, you are also covered for:

• security guarding
• using CCTV to identify a trespasser or protect property

If you hold a security guarding licence, you are also covered for:

• using CCTV to identify a trespasser or protect property

Non-front line licences

A non-front line licence covers you for:

• key holding
• managing, supervising and/or employing individuals who perform licensable activities in their job
• being a director of a company, or partner of a firm, where any other directors, partners or employees of that company or firm perform licensable activities in their job

You only need one non-front line licence.