Every individual UK security officer working in licensable activities (manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV operation, key holding, vehicle immobilising) must hold a current SIA licence. There are six licence types — a Security Officer working a static guarding role on a construction site needs a different licence to a Door Supervisor at a venue. Licences are issued for three years, are revoked for criminal convictions, and are individually verifiable on the public SIA Register. The licence is on the person, not the company.
Issued by
Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Why it matters
Working unlicensed in a licensable role is a criminal offence, both for the officer and the company that deployed them. If a provider can't tell you what licence each member of their team holds and produce the licence numbers on demand, that's a serious red flag. Always verify via the SIA Register before any assignment starts.
Questions to ask a provider
- Can you provide every officer's SIA licence number for verification?
- What licence type is needed for our specific assignment?
- What's your process if an officer's licence lapses mid-contract?
Related terms
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