Changes coming in April 2025
Starting on 1 April 2025, it will be mandatory to possess a 'refresher' qualification to renew your door supervisor or security guard license.
The refresher training program will be accessible beginning on 1 October 2024.
Before undergoing the refresher training, you must hold a current Emergency First Aid at Work certification or an equivalent qualification.
You will need to show this to your training provider when you register for the course.
If you hold a door supervisor licence you can choose one of the following options:
take the door supervisor refresher training and renew your door supervisor licence
take the security guard refresher training and switch to a security guard licence
Regardless of choice, you also need to possess an Emergency First Aid at Work certification, or its equivalent, in order to be eligible for the refresher course.
Changes they have already introduced
The changes that were introduced in 2021 were:
The SIA introduced new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation
you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence
you must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence – this includes renewals
The changes that were introduced in 2022 were:
The SIA introduced an updated close protection qualification
you must have the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a close protection licence – this includes renewals
We explain these changes in more detail below.
Why are the SIA making these changes?
Primarily to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
keep the public safe
follow new working practices
understand recent changes to the law
make the best use of new technology
First aid training for door supervisors and security guards
Applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence are required by the SIA to obtain a first aid certification prior to undergoing their licence-related training.
You need to do this if either of the following apply:
you are applying for a licence for the first time
it has been longer than 3 years since you last held a licence for that activity
You also need to do this if you are renewing your licence.
The qualification needed is either an Emergency First Aid at Work certification or a similar qualification. Undergoing first aid training will enhance your abilities as an SIA license holder.
It will not change the obligations you have when responding to an emergency.
What do we mean by “equivalent”?
We accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.
Some examples are:
First Aid at Work (FAW)
First Person on Scene (FPOS)
First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Your training provider can tell you more about this.
First aid training for close protection operatives
Those applying for a close protection license must first obtain a first aid certification at level 3 or higher prior to commencing their license-related training.
These include:
Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW)
Level 3 First Person on Scene (FPOS)
Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
Top-up training for some licence holders
Door supervisors and security guards
You must have one of the following before you can apply for, or renew, a door supervisor or security guard licence:
one of the new qualifications set in place in April 2021
one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications, including renewals.
Close protection operatives
You must have one of the following before you can apply for, or renew, a close protection licence:
The new qualification introduced on 1 April 2022
One of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications, including renewals.
If you hold a door supervisor licence
If you hold a door supervisor licence you can choose one of the following options:
Take the door supervisor top-up training and renew your door supervisor licence
Take the security guard top-up training and switch to a security guard licence
Before undergoing the top-up training, it is necessary to hold an Emergency First Aid at Work certification or an equivalent qualification.
The security guard top-up training is more cost-effective compared to the door supervisor top-up training due to its shorter duration.
Nevertheless, it is important to take into account the daily responsibilities of your role. If your job requires you to guard licensed premises, like pubs or clubs, you will need to renew your door supervisor license.
If you hold a close protection licence
If you hold a close protection licence you can choose one of the following options:
take the close protection top-up training and renew your close protection licence
take the door supervisor top-up training and switch to a door supervisor licence
In either case, you must have the appropriate first aid qualification before you can take the top-up training.
Other changes
More relevant course material
The SIA have moved some training to the ‘common unit’ that is taken by all security operatives except close protection operatives.
This includes new training on:
terror threat awareness
dealing with emergencies
We have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalysers
the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
the close protection course includes a bespoke physical intervention unit, as well as material from the door supervision course needed to allow close protection operatives to work as door supervisors
More practical assessments
We have increased the number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge.
The practical assessments include:
Searching
Dealing with conflict
Report/statement writing
Using communications devices
Application of physical intervention skills for close protection operatives in the private security industry
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