SIA License Qualifications and Other Information

In order to be permitted to work in the UK Security Industry, you must first pass an SIA – Security Industry Authority – approved course, and meet all other licensing requirements set by the industry’s governing body. Before you apply for the license, it is important to make sure that you meet all necessary requirements first, to save yourself time and money.

Associated Licensing Costs

Obtaining a security license costs £220 and is valid for three years, after which point you must renew your license. The only exception to this is the vehicle immobilizer license, in which case the license costs £220 but is only valid for one year. Additionally, for anyone who is applying for more than one security license, the second license will be discounted fifty percent. All license costs are non-refundable, so it is important to make sure that everything is in order before applying.

Length of the Process

It is the SIA’s goal to process at least eighty percent of all correctly submitted applications within twenty-five business days. This time officially begins once your application is entered into the system, and ends on the day that a verdict has been reached. In the event that your application fails to be validated for any reason, such as it is incorrectly filled out, or documents are missing, then the clock stops, and resets once you re-submit your application with the supplementary information or documents. Any complex application i.e. one that requires more in-depth criminal records checks or verifications may take longer than twenty-five business days.

Criminal Record

If you have a criminal record, you are not necessarily barred from obtaining an SIA security license. A decision regarding your ability to be licensed will be made based on the following:

• Whether the SIA considers your offence(s) relevant to their licensing decision
• The actual sentence given to you for your offence(s)
• How recently your offence(s) was/were committed

The SIA provides all potential applicants with a free criminal record indicator designed to let you know before you apply for a license, whether or not you will meet the criminal record criteria.

It should be noted that while the SIA does not normally seek out information about applicants that has not been tested in criminal courts, if such information is volunteered to the SIA by local authorities or the like, or if the information is obtained through the SIA’s own sources, the information will be considered.