SIA licence renewal checklist for door supervisors and security guards

Published 5 November 2026

Your SIA licence doesn’t renew itself. Since 1 April 2025, door supervisors and security guards also need a refresher qualification before they can renew. Here’s a checklist so nothing catches you out.

1. Check your licence expiry date

You can apply to renew up to 4 months before your licence expires. The SIA recommends applying as early as you can. You won’t lose time by renewing early, because any time left on your current licence is added to the new one.

If your licence has already expired, you can’t renew it. You need to apply for a new licence instead. (See our post on expired licences.)

2. Sort your first aid

Before you can take the refresher course, you need an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or an accepted equivalent, that is valid for at least another 12 months. If yours runs out sooner, book first aid first.

3. Do ACT Awareness and ACT Security

You’ll need to show your trainer certificates for both ACT Awareness and ACT Security e-learning, completed within the last year. Both are free online.

4. Book your refresher course

• Door supervisors need the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)
• Security guards need the Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)

The SIA says the door supervisor refresher is 1.5 to 2.5 days in person, and the security guard refresher 0.5 to 1 day, depending on self-study.

5. Check with your employer

Some employers pay the fee or submit the renewal for you. You’d need to link your SIA online account with theirs first.

6. Pay the fee and apply

The renewal fee is £204, the same as a new licence, since 1 April 2026. You’ll also have to prove your identity again, and you may be asked to visit a Post Office.

Quick checklist

• Licence expiry date noted (apply up to 4 months before)
• First aid valid for 12+ more months
• ACT Awareness certificate (last 12 months)
• ACT Security certificate (last 12 months)
• Refresher qualification passed
• £204 fee ready, and ID to hand

Refresher training in Bootle, north Liverpool

Our training centre is at St Mary’s Complex, Waverley Street, Bootle L20 4AP, in north Liverpool. By train, take a Merseyrail Northern Line train towards Southport to Bootle New Strand, about an 8-minute walk from us, or Bootle Oriel Road, about a 12-minute walk. There’s free on-site parking if you drive. We run the Door Supervisor refresher, the Security Guard refresher and Emergency First Aid at Work, so you can sort your first aid and refresher in one place.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Renew your SIA licence
• GOV.UK: Changes to SIA licence-linked training: your questions answered
• GOV.UK: SIA licence fee rebate ends in April 2026