How long does an SIA licence last?

People carrying out licensable security activities under a contract for services, such as security guarding, door supervision, close protection, public space surveillance (CCTV), cash and valuables in transit and key holding, plus directors and managers of security companies in some cases. People working in-house usually do not need a licence, except for door supervision at licensed premises (and vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland), which always needs one.

• You cannot renew an expired licence. You must apply for a new licence, with the same checks, and cannot work in that role until it is granted.
• Carrying out licensable conduct without a licence is an offence. On summary conviction it carries up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
• A business that supplies an unlicensed security operative also commits an offence, with up to five years’ imprisonment on indictment. It has a defence if it took all reasonable steps to prevent it.

1. 1

   Check with your employer first

   The SIA suggests asking your employer before you renew. They may pay the fee or submit the application for you.

2. 2

   Do the refresher training for your sector

   Door supervisors, security guards and close protection operatives need the Level 2 refresher award for their sector before they can renew. Close protection refresher training became mandatory on 1 April 2026.

3. 3

   Have your first aid in date

   Door supervisors and security guards need an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, and close protection operatives a level 3 (FAW or equivalent) qualification, valid for at least another 12 months when they register for the refresher.

4. 4

   Apply up to 4 months before expiry

   Apply as early as the window allows. You will not lose time: the SIA adds any time left on your current licence to the new one. The fee is £204.

5. 5

   Prove your identity again

   The SIA runs the same identity and criminal record checks on renewals as on new applications. You may be asked to visit a Post Office that handles SIA applications.

A simple reminder plan: 150 days, 120 days, 60 days, 30 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.

• Each operative’s licence number, sector and expiry date, checked against the SIA’s public register of licence holders.
• Refresher training and first aid certificates used for the renewal.
• Your records of the checks you made before deploying each operative, which support the reasonable-steps defence.

• Assuming the licence renews itself. It does not.
• Waiting until after expiry. An expired licence cannot be renewed; you must apply for a new one.
• Booking the refresher course with a first aid certificate that has less than 12 months left.
• Delaying the renewal to save money. Any time left is added to the new licence, so early renewal costs nothing extra.