The licence wizard will take you through each of the areas you need to think about when applying for a licence: job type, training required, criminality checks and the documentation you need to send us.

Who Needs a Licence?

A Door Supervisor licence is required if manned guarding activities are undertaken in relation to licensed premises*, except where the activity only involves the use of CCTV equipment or falls within the definition of cash and valuables in transit or close protection. A Door Supervisor licence is required if you are performing this activity on behalf of yourself or your employer or your services are supplied for the purposes of or in connection with any contract to a consumer.

*'in relation to licensed premises' means when those premises are open to the public, at times when alcohol is being supplied for consumption, or regulated entertainment is being provided, on the premises.

Two Types of Licence

There are two types of SIA licence:

• A front line licence is required if undertaking licensable activity, other than key holding activities (this also covers undertaking non-front line activity). A front line licence is in the form of a credit card-sized plastic card that must be worn, subject to the licence conditions.
• A non-front line licence is required for those who manage, supervise and/or employ individuals who engage in licensable activity, as long as front line activity is not carried out - this includes directors* or partners. A non-front line licence is issued in the form of a letter that also covers key holding activities.

*For the purposes of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, "director" means executive and non-executive directors, shadow directors, parent company directors and corporate entities holding a directorship.

If you have a non-front line licence you do not need to get another one if you are involved in another area of non-front line licensable activity (for example: if you are a director of a firm supplying door supervisors but you also supply security guards, you will not need to get two licences).

Renewing Your Licence

If you already hold a Door Supervisor licence you will need to apply for a new one shortly before your current one expires. A renewal letter will automatically be sent to you ten weeks prior to your licence expiry date.

More information >>

Licence Integration

In some cases, we are satisfied that the licensing criteria to be met for one licensable activity are sufficient to allow a licensed individual to carry out other licensable activities.

More information >>