SIA Licence Renewal Guide
Are you thinking of renewing your SIA licence? Do you know all the necessary steps you need to take? Here in our SIA licence renewal guide – we will talk you through everything you need to know about having an SIA licence and what steps you need to take when applying for a new licence.
- Who Are The SIA?
- What Are The Different Checks The SIA Will Perform?
- How To Get An SIA Licence
- Sia Licence Renewal After Expiry
- Can I Still Renew My SIA Licence After It Expires?
- How Long Does An SIA Licence Last?
- Renewing An SIA Licence Through Your Employer
- Renewing An SIA Licence Yourself
- SIA Licence Revocation
- SIA Licence Suspension
Who Are The SIA?
The SIA is the Security Industry Authority and they are responsible for regulating the private security sector throughout the United Kingdom. They have two key responsibilities; the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry and the other is to manage the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.
The Security Industry Authority was introduced to protect and reassure the public by preventing unsuitable people from obtaining positions within the private security industry.
What Are The Different Checks The SIA Will Perform?
When you are renewing or applying for an SIA licence, the SIA will perform some checks to ensure you are suitable for the role. Some of these checks are:
- A basic background check.
- A mental health check.
- A criminal record check.
How To Get An SIA Licence
In order to work as a security guard or complete work within the security sector, you must hold an SIA Licence. This is compulsory since it is a criminal offence to take on security work without this licence and you could face the consequences of six months in prison or a £5,000 fine, so it is crucial that you obtain yours, or renew it if it has expired.
1. To Qualify For An SIA Licence, You Have To Meet The Following Requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- Pass an ID check
- Undergo a criminal records check
- Be eligible to work in the UK
This does not mean that you will be prohibited from getting an SIA Licence if you do have a criminal record or do not have the right to work in the UK; it will depend on your own individual situation and each application is treated separately.
Whilst you are applying for your SIA License, you will be expected to complete different training courses, including first-aid. The cost of applying for an SIA Licence is £190, and this is non-refundable, so make sure that you have all the necessary documentation and correct information.
2. There Are Different Licenses Available Depending On The Security Role You Desire…
- Security Guarding
- Door Supervision
- Protection of Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Public Surveillance Using CCTV
- Key Holding
- Vehicle Immobilising
3. Your Training Will Also Differ Depending On The Type Of Security Job You Wish To Pursue…
- Door Supervisor Training
- Security Guard Training
- CCTV Training
- Close Protection Training
SIA Licence Renewal After Expiry
Unfortunately, SIA licences do not renew automatically, so it is your responsibility to monitor your license’s expiry date. You will need to manually renew your licence if you wish to continue working in the same role after your current licence expires.
You can apply for an SIA Licence renewal up to four months before your current licence expires. You should submit your renewal application as soon as possible, as applying early reduces the risk of a delay that might affect your ability to work. Your new licence will be valid from the day the SIA grant it and any time left on your current licence will be added to your new one.
Can I Still Renew My SIA Licence After It Expires?
You cannot renew a licence unless you currently hold an active licence in that sector. If your licence has expired, you will need to apply for a new one. A licence renewal costs the same as a new application, although no additional training or qualification is required for this.
How Long Does An SIA Licence Last?
Your SIA licence will last for three years unless you hold a Front Line Vehicle Immobiliser Licence, which will need to be renewed every year. When your existing licence expires or is nearing expiration, you will have to reapply in order to work legally. Without an SIA licence, you cannot work as a security guard legally and this will hinder your job prospects so having a licence and keeping it up to date is important.
Renewing An SIA Licence Through Your Employer
The SIA offers services that allow your employer to renew a licence on your behalf. These services are called Licence Assist and Licence Management and they are only available to SIA Approved Contractors. All private security companies should be an SIA Approved Contractor, meaning they are accredited by the SIA and are qualified in providing security services.
You can check if a security company is accredited by clicking here.
Source: Security Industry Authority
Renewing An SIA Licence Yourself
Below, we have listed all the steps you need to take if you are renewing your SIA licence by yourself.
1. Register For A Personal Online Account
Enter your personal details and email address, choose a username and password, and activate your account through the confirmation email.
2. Log In To The Self-Service Website
Login to your account and submit the requested information that matches the existing licence information.
3. Renew
When you have logged into your account, click the ‘Licences’ tab and then ‘Actions’, ‘Renew’. Complete sections 1-9 and review your renewal before sending it.
4. Next Steps
After you have completed the previous steps, you will receive an email to explain the next requirements. You are able to pay for the renewal online or at a post office. If your photo has expired (a photo lasts 8 years and 8 months) then you will have to visit a post office for a new photograph.
5. Checks In Progress
During this stage, the SIA will be checking your criminal record, as well as your right to work in the UK and whether your photo is acceptable. You may receive an email related to these checks; responding promptly to these requests will help speed up the processing of your application.
6. Decision
If your renewal application is successful, you will receive a granted letter and your licence card within 14 days. As soon as you receive this confirmation, you are able to lawfully work.
7. What Should I Do If My Application Is Refused?
The SIA will write to you to explain why your application was rejected. You will have 21 days from the date of their decision letter to provide a response.
SIA Licence Revocation
There is a possibility that your SIA License will be revoked for reasons that include:
- Your license has been used for fraudulent documents and/or fraudulent identity.
- The licence has been used by someone other than you to engage in licensable conduct.
- You do not have the training qualifications that you claimed to have on your application.
- You receive a conviction, caution, warning, absolute/conditional discharge, or admonishment for a relevant offence.
- You refuse or neglect to undertake the training that we have directed you to undertake.
- The SIA holds information that indicates that you are not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
You will be sent a letter by the SIA, informing you of the decision and they will invite you to supply further information. You will then have 21 days to respond to this revocation letter.
Your response to the revocation may include any errors that you believe exist in their assessment. If you do not send a response within 21 days, the decision to revoke your licence will take immediate effect. When the decision to revoke your licence takes effect, you will have a further 21 days in which to exercise a right of appeal to a Magistrates’ or Sheriff’s Court.
If you do send in a reply, the SIA will write to you to inform you of their decision.
SIA Licence Suspension
Unfortunately, SIA License suspensions have immediate effect. This means that you cannot legally work in any licensable sector, even if you work for an approved contractor. The SIA will normally consider suspension only where they are reasonably satisfied that a clear threat to public safety could exist if they do not take action.
Similar to a revocation, a letter will be sent out to you if the SIA deem it necessary to suspend your licence, providing the basis for their decision which will have immediate effect. You will then have 21 days in which to exercise a right of appeal to a Magistrates’ Court or wish to tell them of any factual errors in their assessment.
If a licence is suspended, it will remind suspended until the matter is resolved.
To stay updated with all the latest SIA news check out our news page where you can find articles about the new SIA first aid training update and if it is possible to become a security guard with a criminal record.
Related Articles
The Three Main Aims Of The SIA
According to Statista as of 2021, there were approximately 172,000 people employed as security professionals in the United Kingdom.
With many more people interested and actively in the process of training to become a security guard, they first must become fully trained and receive a fully certified sia security industry authority license.
Can I Become A Security Guard With A Criminal Record?
When you are applying or renewing your SIA licence, it is known that the SIA will check your criminal record, but is it possible to become a security guard with a criminal record?
SIA First Aid Training
Yes, to obtain an SIA licence now you will need to already have an approved first aid qualification before you are allowed to do your licence-linked training.
SIA Frontline And Non Frontline Licence
An SIA security licence is a legal document that proves you are qualified to perform security related needs for a business or individual client. Anyone working in the security field should have a type of security guard licence to ensure they are legally covered and well-trained.
I am trying to contact yourselves to sort out my licence renewal but it keeps saying my email address is invalid which this email address I am always using for everything I do on emails. So is it possible that someone can contact me for us to sort out this issue please.
Hi, sorry to hear that you’re having issues contacting us! Unfortunately we cannot help you with SIA license renewal, you will have to get in touch with the SIA themselves in order to sort this out. Head over to their website and you should be able to get in touch with them there. Hope this has helped!
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I like to write a little comment to support you.
Hi, thanks so much for the supportive comment! We’re glad that you are enjoying our article posts.
If my licence ran out 3 years ago can I still apply for a renewal.thanks jb
Hi JB, unfortunately we don’t deal with renewals, only the SIA will be able to help you with a renewal so it would probably be best to get in touch with them to get that sorted out. However, the SIA will probably deal with your case as a new application as you should renew your license before it runs out. You need to hold an active license in order to renew it. Hope this helps!
Hi my license has expired in June 2021 do I re do all the course again to get my badge or can I still renew my license contacting the SIA?
Hello Tokir. It’s probably best to contact the SIA themselves for this information. It may be the case that your training/ course is still up to date and you won’t have to repeat them, or if your license expired you may have to re-take the course/training. The SIA will be able to help you further with this. Hope this helps!
Hi my license has expired how much do I have to pay
Hi, we believe it costs around £190 to renew your SIA license. However, you should check with the SIA themselves to make sure! Have a look at this link to GOV.com for more advice!
Hi, I have 4 months left on my DS and the renewal hasn’t come up on my online sia portal site. All that has come up is request a replacement license. Please can you advise.
Hi Ben! You should be able to renew your license up to 4 months before it’s expiry date, so it’s probably best to get in touch with the SIA themselves by sending them an email to check this. Hope this helps!
i need to renew my licence please.
how can i do it?let me know please
Hi Hassan, thanks for your comment! The best way to renew your license is to go to the SIA website and follow their link and instructions to renew your license. Hope this has helped!
i want to renew my security license
Hi Semeer, the best way to renew your license is to head over to the SIA website and follow their link to renew your license. Hope this has helped!
Keep on writing, great job!
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I need to renew my license please
Hi Wayne! In order to renew your license you will need to head over to the SIA website and follow their instructions on the ‘renew my license’ section of their site. Hope this helps you!
Hello. I’ve just had my SIA DS revoked due to not informing of a police caution. Is this revoked for life ?
Thanks in advance
Hello Stephen. Unfortunately we don’t know the answer to this question. The best thing to do is to get in touch with them directly to see if you can re-apply or not. You can find out more information on having your license revoked here. I hope this has helped!
My SIA licence was going through renewal when I changed jobs (went to work for another company still in security). I checked my application and it said cancelled because my old employer disassociated themselves from my renewal, even though they deducted the cost of the renewal from my final pay packet. They did not inform they were going to do this so I was not able to do anything. SIA are not responding to my attempts to contact them to see if there is anything I can do to keep the renewal live. I had my CRB results some weeks ago. My licence has now expired and I am at risk of losing my new job because of this. As my licence has now expired will I have to take the full course again? Is there any sort of appeals procedure as my ex-employer did not inform me of what they were doing? Do I actually have to be employed to renew my licence?
If I couldn’t find a place to do the top up and first aid courses in order to renew my license which will expire in 19 of February, so what should l do. I live in Cardiff and I still struggle to get available course
Hi Denise, we are sorry to hear that, unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. The best thing to do would be to retry getting in touch with the SIA again. If your license has already expired, you would probably have to reapply for a new license. You can find out more information about reapplying for your license here.
Hi Hamid. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. The best thing to do would be to get in touch with the SIA or any companies that are running first aid courses for security guards. You can find more information about contacting the SIA on this page or you could try contacting them through this form. I hope this has helped!
my security card has expired for a very long time, l mean about 10 years ago, can i renew it or i need to do it all over again
Hi Malcolm,
If your security card/license has expired, you would have to apply for a new one. You can find more information about applying for a new security license here. I hope this helps!
Hi can i renew my Sia badge licence one week before it expires because i do not work in a security industry at the moment but i have it just in case of an emergency
Hi Mohamed, as long as you hold an active licence and it hasn’t expired you should be able to renew it. However, the SIA do recommend that you renew your licence at least 4 months before it expires. You can find out more information about renewing your licence here. We hope this helps!
Do I need to do extra training for door supervisor licence even though I passed a upskilling door supervisor course in 2010.?
Do I need to do top up training for door supervisor licence even though I passed sia door supervisor upskilling training course in June 2013.?
Hi Anthony, unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Last October the SIA said that all door supervision licence holders would need a first aid qualification and as well as the new top-up training before they renew their licence. The best thing to do would be to contact the SIA or to check what training qualifications are accepted on the SIA section on the government website. I hope this helps.
Hi I only av 5 days on my license left and want to renew it but av not been for. The top up course as none are available at moment can I still should for it or will it be to late and loose my money
Hi Chris, unfortunately we don’t know the answer to this question. The best thing to do would be to contact the SIA. You can find more information about contacting the SIA on this page or you could try contacting them through this form. I hope this has helped!