What the changes are, when they will happen, and how they affect SIA licence applicants and licence holders.
These changes apply to you if you hold, or are applying for, a close protection licence.
On 1 April 2025 we made it a requirement that you must have a ‘refresher’ qualification before you can renew your close protection licence.
You must hold a level 3 first aid qualification (FAW or equivalent) before you can take the refresher training (read about the first aid qualifications we accept). You will need to show this to your training provider when you register for the course.
In 2022 we introduced an updated close protection qualification. We also made it a requirement that you must have the new qualification or take top-up training before you can apply for or renew a close protection licence.
These changes apply to you if you hold, or are applying for, a door supervisor or security guard licence.
On 1 April 2025 we made it a requirement that you must have a ‘refresher’ qualification before you can renew your door supervisor or security guard licence.
You must hold an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you can take the refresher training (read about the first aid qualifications we accept). You will need to show this to your training provider when you register for the course.
In 2021 we introduced new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation.
We also made it a requirement that:
We need to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
If you hold a door supervisor licence you can choose one of the following options:
If you already hold a close protection licence you can choose one of the following options:
You must complete an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before taking your licence-linked training. This applies both to the full licence-linked training courses and to the refresher training.
We accept qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
Your training provider can tell you more about this.
You must complete a first aid qualification at level 3 or above before taking your licence-linked training. Some examples are:
We accept other qualifications. Your training provider can tell you more about this.
Read Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered to find out more.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-the-training-you-need-for-an-sia-licence