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Free video guide · 5 min 49 s

How to apply for your SIA licence

Passed your course, or about to? Here is how to get your SIA licence, step by step, in plain English. Watch the video or read the 7 steps below.

Narrated with an AI voice. Captions available. ESO is an independent training provider, not part of the SIA. Checked October 2026. Always check the latest rules at gov.uk/sia.

The 7 steps to your SIA licence

  1. Step 1: Get trained

    First, get an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) with at least 12 months left on it. Then complete your licence-linked qualification with an approved training provider. For a first licence, your qualification must be less than 3 years old.

  2. Step 2: Create your SIA online account

    Go to GOV.UK/SIA and register for a free personal account. Use your name exactly as it appears on your ID, including middle names, then click the activation link in your email. Forgotten your password? Use "Forgot password" rather than opening a second account.

  3. Step 3: Check your qualification is showing

    When you pass, your awarding organisation tells the SIA. Your qualification then appears on the "My qualifications" page of your account. You cannot submit an application until it shows.

  4. Step 4: Fill in the application

    Choose "Start a new application" and say who is paying. There are 9 sections: section 1 (consent to checks) comes first, sections 2 to 8 can be done in any order, and section 9 is the declaration. Check everything carefully, because you cannot change your answers once you submit. The fee is £204 per licence (an extra licence on the same application is £102) and it is not refundable. You need 1 identity document from Group A and 2 from Group B, with at least one showing your current address.

  5. Step 5: Follow your "next steps"

    After you submit, you get a "next steps" message with your reference number. In the UK this usually means a visit to a Post Office that handles SIA applications. Take your reference number and original documents; staff check your ID and take your photo, and if you are paying yourself you usually pay there. If you have lived outside the UK for 6 months or more in a row in the last 10 years, you will also need an overseas criminal record check.

  6. Step 6: Track your application

    In "My applications", "Next steps" means you need to do something, "Checks in progress" means the SIA is working on it, and "Decision made" means a decision has been reached. The SIA aims for an average of 10 working days from "checks in progress" to a decision in 2026 to 2027, but that is an average, not a promise. If you are asked for right to work evidence, you have 21 days to send it.

  7. Step 7: Get your decision

    The SIA tells you by email, by post and in your online account. If you are approved, your licence card comes in the post. Do not start licensed work until your licence has been granted.

Video · 1 min 1 s

Which ID does the SIA accept?

You need 1 document from Group A and 2 from Group B, and the dates matter. This 1-minute video shows what counts and what the SIA won't accept.

Narrated with an AI voice. Captions available. ESO is an independent training provider, not part of the SIA. Checked October 2026; always check the latest rules at gov.uk/sia.

Read the transcript

Applying for your SIA licence? ID is where loads of people get tripped up. Here's what the SIA accepts, in about a minute.

You'll need three documents: one from Group A, and two from Group B. Group A is things like a signed, in-date passport, or a UK photocard driving licence. Group B is things like a bank statement, a utility bill or a P60. And at least one of your Group B documents has to show your current address.

Watch the dates. Bank, credit card and utility documents must be from the last 3 months. Council tax, mortgage, and P45 or P60 can be up to 12 months old. They won't take photocopies, statements printed off online or in a branch, or mobile phone bills. And you usually can't use two of the same type.

Want the full step-by-step? Our free SIA licence guide on the website walks you through the lot. The link's on screen, or search ESO Training in Bootle.

Renewing in 3 years

Renewal is not automatic. You can apply up to 4 months before your licence expires, and any time left is added to your new licence. Door supervisors take the Door Supervisor Top Up / Refresher and security guards take the Security Guard Top Up / Refresher (the top up is now officially called the refresher; old top-up qualifications have not been accepted since 1 April 2026), with in-date first aid first. If your licence expires, you have to apply as new.

Video · 1 min 4 s

Time to renew your SIA licence?

The 1-minute version: when to apply, what you need and what it costs.

Narrated with an AI voice. Captions available. ESO is an independent training provider, not part of the SIA. Checked October 2026; always check the latest rules at gov.uk/sia.

Door Supervisor Top Up / Refresher · £150Security Guard Top Up / Refresher · £100
Read the transcript

Is your SIA licence running out in the next few months? Here's how to renew it without the stress, in about a minute.

First thing: it won't renew on its own. You can apply up to 4 months before it runs out, and any time you've got left gets added to your new licence, so you lose nothing by going early. Let it expire, though, and you're back to applying as new.

You'll need the refresher training for your licence, plus an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate with at least 12 months left on it, before you start the refresher. The SIA fee's the same as a new licence, £204, and they'll check your ID again too.

That's where we come in. Our Door Supervisor refresher is £150 over two days, and the Security Guard refresher is £100, in one day. Need your first aid as well? Add it for £50 when you book. And parking's free.

So don't get caught out. Book your refresher on our website. The link's on screen, or search ESO Training in Bootle.

Narrated with an AI voice. ESO is an independent training provider, not part of the SIA. Checked October 2026. For the official guidance, visit gov.uk/sia.

Read the video transcript

Right then. You've done your training, or you're about to, and now you need your SIA licence. Good news: it's a lot easier than it looks. We'll walk you through it step by step, the same way we would here at ESO in Bootle. Let's crack on.

Before you start, here's what you'll need. You've got to be eighteen or over, with the right qualification for the job. Most people will need the right to work in the UK too. Get your ID together, plus your addresses from the last few years. And there's the fee, £204, unless someone's paying it for you. You won't get it back if things go wrong, so it's worth having everything sorted first.

Step one: the training. For door supervisor or security guard, you'll need a licence-linked qualification from an approved training provider. You'll also need Emergency First Aid at Work first, with at least twelve months left on it. Our Door Supervisor course is six days, and that includes the first aid if you need it, for an extra £75. We also run the Door Supervisor and Security Guard refreshers. And if it's your first licence, your qualification needs to be under three years old.

Step two: set up your SIA online account. It's free, and it only takes a few minutes. Head to GOV.UK/SIA and register for a personal account. Put your name in exactly as it is on your ID, middle names and all, then hit the activation link in the email. Already got an account but forgotten the password? Use 'Forgot password'. No need for a new one.

Step three: check your qualification's showing. Once you pass, the awarding organisation lets the SIA know, and it'll pop up on your 'My qualifications' page. You can't submit until it's there, so if it's not showing yet, give it a bit of time. It's on its way.

Step four: the application. Click 'Start a new application', and pick who's paying, you or a business. There are nine sections. Section one's your consent to the checks, so that goes first. After that, do them in any order you like, and you can save and come back. Give it all a once-over before the declaration at the end, because once it's in, you can't change it.

Now, the money. One licence is £204, and it lasts three years. Going for two licences on the same application? The second one's half price, £102. The fee's not refundable. If your employer or training provider is paying, they'll send you a request to link your accounts. Accept that from the email and you're sorted.

Next up, ID. You'll need one document from Group A, like your passport or photocard driving licence, and two from Group B, like a recent bank statement or a utility bill. One of your Group B documents needs to show your current address.

Group B is where a lot of people get caught out, so here's the lowdown. Bank, credit card and utility documents need to be from the last three months. Council tax and mortgage statements can go back twelve months. They won't take photocopies, printed online statements, statements printed in branch, or mobile phone bills. And you can't use two of the same type.

Step five: your next steps. Once you've submitted, you'll get a message with your reference number. If you're in the UK, it'll usually send you to the Post Office. Take your reference number and your original documents. They'll check your ID and take your photo, and if you're paying yourself, you'll usually pay there too. It's worth checking your branch does SIA applications before you head down.

Spent six months or more in a row outside the UK in the last ten years? Then you'll need an official criminal record check from each country, plus an approved translation if it's not in English. These can take a while, so it's worth getting them sorted before you apply.

On to the checks. The SIA will look at your UK criminal record, but having one doesn't automatically rule you out. There's a criminal record indicator on GOV.UK that'll give you an idea where you stand. If you're not a UK citizen, the SIA checks your right to work with the Home Office, so hang on to your share code unless they ask for it. If they do ask for evidence, you'll have twenty-one days.

Step six: keep an eye on it. Under 'My applications', 'Next steps' means it's your move. 'Checks in progress' means the SIA's on it. And 'Decision made' does what it says. Check your messages every now and then too. At the moment, the SIA's aiming for an average of ten working days once it hits checks in progress. That's an average, though, not a guarantee.

Step seven: the decision. You'll hear by email, by post, and in your account. If it's a yes, your licence card comes in the post. Once it's granted, you're good to start licensed work. Nice one. You're licensed!

When renewal comes round, it won't happen on its own. You can apply up to four months before your licence runs out, and any time you've got left gets added to the new one, so there's no point waiting. It's the same fee. Door supervisors do the Door Supervisor refresher, security guards do the Security Guard refresher, with in-date first aid first. On the doors and fancy a switch to guarding? The security guard refresher gets you there. Let it lapse, though, and you're starting again as a new application.

And that's it. Train, register, apply, show your ID, and track it. For the latest rules, GOV.UK/SIA is the place to check. And if you need your Door Supervisor course or a refresher, come and see us at ESO Education and Training in Bootle. The link's on screen, or search ESO Training in Bootle. Good luck, and hopefully see you soon!

Need the training first? Book with ESO in Bootle

Face-to-face courses at our centre in Bootle, with help setting up your SIA application once you pass.

  • SIA Door Supervisor Course

    6 days including first aid (+£75 if needed)

    £250

    See dates & book

  • SIA Door Supervisor Top Up / Refresher Course

    2 days

    £150

    See dates & book

  • SIA Security Guard Top Up / Refresher Course

    1 day

    £100

    See dates & book

The full written guide

If you want to work as a door supervisor or security officer in the UK, you’ll need a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The process is simple enough once you know the steps, but small mistakes (the wrong ID document, a missed email) can hold you up for weeks.

This guide sets out the whole process in plain English, based on the SIA’s own guidance on GOV.UK. We’ve included links so you can check the official pages yourself, because the rules do change from time to time.

Last checked against official GOV.UK guidance: 25 September 2026.

Who needs an SIA licence?

Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, you need an SIA licence to do certain security jobs, known as “licensable activities”. The most common front line licences are:

  • Door supervision: for example, working the door at pubs, bars, clubs and events. A door supervisor licence also lets you do security guarding work.
  • Security guarding: for example, retail, construction sites, offices and corporate security.
  • Public space surveillance (CCTV), close protection and cash and valuables in transit.

There is also a key holding licence and a non-front line licence (for managers, supervisors and directors who don’t carry out security work themselves).

Working in a licensable role without a licence is a criminal offence. According to the SIA, the penalty can be a fine, up to 6 months in prison, or both.

You must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence.

Which licence should I get?

For most people starting out, the choice is between door supervisor and security officer (security guarding). Many people choose door supervision because it covers both pub and club work and guarding roles, which gives you more job options. If you’re not sure, ask your likely employer which licence they need, or give us a call.

Step-by-step: how to get your SIA licence

Step 1: Get an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification

Before you can start door supervisor or security officer training, you must hold a first aid qualification that meets the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) standard. It must be valid for at least another 12 months when your SIA training starts. The practical parts must have been taught and assessed face to face.

Many training providers include EFAW as part of the course. At ESO, the Door Supervisor course is £250 on its own. ESO offers EFAW as an add-on for £75 when booking (£325 total).

Step 2: Complete your licence-linked training and qualification

For a front line licence you must hold the correct SIA-licence-linked qualification. For door supervision that’s the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry. You must train with an approved training provider, meaning one approved by an awarding organisation that the SIA accepts.

Our SIA licence-linked qualifications are awarded by Laser Trident (Laser Learning Awards), an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation.

Key points from the SIA:

  • If you’re applying for the first time, you must have got your qualification within the last 3 years.
  • The SIA doesn’t provide training itself, and it gets no money from course fees.
  • Once you pass, your awarding organisation tells the SIA. You can’t submit your application until the SIA has received that notification, so you may need to wait a short time after your course.

Step 3: Create your SIA online account

Register for a personal SIA online account on GOV.UK. If your employer, a training provider or a back-to-work scheme has agreed to pay your fee, they’ll send you a request to link your account with theirs. Accept it by following the instructions in the email.

Step 4: Complete the application form

Log in and choose “start a new application”. The form has 9 sections:

  • Section 1: you agree to identity and criminal record checks. You have to do this first.
  • Sections 2 to 8 can be done in any order, and you can save and come back later.
  • Section 9 is a declaration that everything you’ve told them is true and complete.

Check everything carefully before you submit. You can’t change your answers afterwards, and wrong or missing information is one of the main causes of delays.

You’ll need your address history for the last few years. If you’ve spent 6 continuous months or more outside the UK in the last 10 years, you’ll also need evidence of overseas criminal record checks. Start getting these early, because they can take time.

Step 5: Get your identity documents ready

You’ll need 1 document from Group A and 2 documents from Group B.

Group A includes a signed, current, valid passport; a current, valid UK photocard driving licence; a UK birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth; a UK adoption certificate; certain biometric residence permits; or an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.

Group B includes a bank or building society statement (last 3 months), a utility bill (last 3 months, but not a mobile phone bill), a council tax statement (last 12 months), a P45 or P60 (last 12 months), or a letter from HMRC, DWP, Jobcentre Plus or your local authority (last 3 months). At least one must show your current address. Usually you can’t use 2 of the same type.

The SIA won’t accept photocopies, documents printed from the internet (such as online bank statements), or statements printed in a bank branch. Documents not in English need an approved translation. Check the full official list before you go.

Step 6: Visit the Post Office (and pay the fee)

After you submit, the SIA sends you a “next steps” message with your application reference number. If you live in the UK, this will usually ask you to go to a Post Office that handles SIA applications (check with the branch finder first). Staff there will:

  • ask for your application reference number
  • check your identity documents
  • take your photo

If you’re paying your own fee, you’ll usually pay it at the Post Office at the same visit. If your employer applies for you, you may be asked to show your documents to them instead.

Step 7: Wait and track your application

Log in and check “my applications”. The status will show:

  • Next steps: you need to do something (follow the instructions).
  • Checks in progress: the SIA is running its checks.
  • Decision made: a decision has been reached.

Look out for any “further information request”. If you don’t respond, your application won’t move forward. If the SIA asks for proof of your right to work and doesn’t get it within 21 days, it will cancel your application.

Step 8: Get your decision and licence

The SIA writes to you by post with its decision, and the letter is also available in your online account. If you’re successful and applied for a front line licence, you’ll receive your licence card, which you must wear when working. Licences last 3 years.

How long does it take?

The SIA doesn’t give a fixed processing time, because it depends on your circumstances. Things that affect the speed include:

  • incomplete or incorrect information on your form
  • not following next steps or further information requests promptly
  • time spent living abroad (overseas criminal record checks)
  • having a criminal record, or charges awaiting trial
  • right to work checks
  • how many applications the SIA is handling
  • your employer paying the fee late, if they’re paying it

For a personal estimate, use the SIA’s decision timescale indicator. Remember that it’s a guide, not a guarantee.

How much does an SIA licence cost?

  • SIA licence fee: £204 for one licence (from 1 April 2026).
  • Additional licences on the same application: £102 each (50% discount). Since 1 June 2026 the discount only applies to licences on the same application.
  • The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused or cancelled, and it can’t be paid in instalments.
  • Your employer or another organisation can pay the fee for you if they agree to.

On top of the licence fee you’ll need to budget for training. At ESO, the Door Supervisor course costs £250 on its own. ESO offers EFAW as an add-on for £75 when booking (£325 total).

Common reasons for delays and refusals

  • Wrong ID documents: expired passports, mobile phone bills, printouts or photocopies.
  • Mistakes on the form, such as gaps in your address history.
  • Missed messages: next steps or further information requests left unanswered.
  • Overseas checks not supplied when you’ve lived abroad for 6 months or more in the last 10 years.
  • Criminal record: the SIA assesses relevant offences against its published criteria (see the Get Licensed booklet).
  • Right to work not confirmed.
  • No valid qualification on record, for example a qualification that’s more than 3 years old, or one from an awarding organisation the SIA no longer accepts.

What if my application is refused?

If the SIA intends to refuse your application, it will write to explain why and tell you how to appeal, usually within 21 days. Once a refusal comes into legal effect, you can appeal to a magistrates’ court (a sheriff court in Scotland) within 21 days. You may have to pay court costs. The SIA’s Get Licensed booklet sets out the criteria it uses.

Renewing your SIA licence

  • Licences don’t renew automatically.
  • You can apply up to 4 months before your licence expires, and any time left on it is added to your new licence.
  • The fee is the same: £204.
  • Door supervisors must complete the relevant Door Supervisor Refresher (Top-Up) Course and hold the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) as well as their original qualification. You need a valid EFAW (or equivalent) with at least 12 months left before taking the refresher.
  • If you hold a security officer licence, look for the relevant Security Officer Refresher (Top-Up) Course when you need refresher training for renewal.

Still call it a top-up? The SIA now calls it the refresher, but it’s the course you need to renew your licence.

  • The SIA stopped accepting the old standalone “top-up” qualifications on 1 April 2026.
  • If your licence has already expired, you’ll need to apply for a new one. If it’s been more than 3 years since you last held a licence, you’ll need a new full qualification.

Frequently asked questions

How much is an SIA licence in 2026? £204 for one licence, applied for new or at renewal. Additional licences on the same application cost £102 each. The fee is non-refundable.

How long does an SIA licence last? Front line licences last 3 years (vehicle immobiliser licences, in Northern Ireland only, last 1 year).

Do I need a first aid certificate for the door supervisor course? Yes. You need an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) that’s valid for at least 12 months from the start of your training. ESO’s Door Supervisor course is £250 on its own, and ESO offers EFAW as an add-on for £75 when booking (£325 total).

Can I apply for my licence before I finish training? No. You can only submit a front line application once your awarding organisation has told the SIA that you’ve passed.

Do I have to go to the Post Office? Usually, if you live in the UK. Your next steps message will tell you. Check that your local branch handles SIA applications.

What ID do I need? One Group A document (such as a passport or UK photocard driving licence) and two Group B documents (such as a recent bank statement and utility bill), with at least one showing your current address.

Can my employer pay for my licence? Yes, if they agree to. You link your SIA account with theirs. Only SIA approved contractors can apply for a licence on your behalf.

Can I get a licence with a criminal record? Possibly. It depends on the offence, the sentence and when it happened. Check the criteria in the SIA’s Get Licensed booklet before paying the non-refundable fee.

When should I renew? As soon as you can, from 4 months before expiry. You won’t lose the time left on your current licence.

Is the top-up the same as the refresher? Yes. The SIA now calls it the refresher, but it’s the course you need to renew your licence. You may still see course names such as Door Supervisor Refresher (Top-Up) Course and Security Officer Refresher (Top-Up) Course.

Ready to start? Train with ESO Training NW

At ESO Training NW, the Door Supervisor course (£250 on its own) is available. ESO offers Emergency First Aid at Work as an add-on for £75 when booking (£325 total), so you’ll have both the first aid certificate and the SIA-licence-linked qualification you need before you apply. Our centre is at St Mary’s Complex, Waverley Street, Bootle L20 4AP, and our learners have left 692 Google reviews, all five stars.

View the Door Supervisor course and dates or call us free on 0800 144 8458. We’ll help you through the next steps.

Official sources (checked 25 September 2026)

ESO Training NW is an independent training provider. The SIA is the UK regulator; it does not endorse individual training providers.

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