Question 1

How do I book a course?

Accepted Answer

Find your course on the Courses page or the Calendar, choose a date that still has places, and book it. You'll need an account, so we can enrol you with the awarding organisation and keep your training record.

You pay by card when you book, on our payment provider's secure page. Your place is held while you pay and confirmed as soon as the payment goes through. My bookings then shows your booking, what you've paid and your welcome pack.

Question 2

Can I pay a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Some courses and packages let you pay a deposit when you book and the rest later. If yours does, the booking page offers you the choice and shows both amounts.

The balance is due before the course starts. My bookings shows what you've paid and what's left to pay.

Question 3

Do you offer course packages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A course package books several courses together, such as a licence course and first aid training, on dates that fit, and you pay for them all at once.

Question 4

Can I book for a group, or have my own staff trained?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Get in touch with the course you need, how many people and when, and we'll arrange it with you. Each learner has to bring their own ID and documents, because the checks are made person by person.

As well as security training, we train workplace teams in health and safety, fire safety, first aid, manual handling, mental health awareness and safeguarding.

Question 5

Which course do I need for my SIA licence?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the work you want to do. Door supervisors, security officers, CCTV operators and close protection operatives each need their own licence, and each licence needs its own qualification. Our Courses page shows which licence each course leads to.

GOV.UK sets out the training you need for each licence. If you're still not sure, ask us.

Question 6

How do I get my SIA licence after the course?

Accepted Answer

The course gets you the qualification; the licence itself comes from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Once you've passed, the awarding organisation records your qualification, and you then apply to the SIA through an SIA online account.

The SIA checks your identity, your right to work in the UK and your criminal record before it decides. Its licence fee is separate from our course fee and is paid to the SIA. Apply within 3 years of getting your qualification, or you'll need to train again.

GOV.UK explains how to apply for an SIA licence.

Question 7

Do I need a first aid certificate before door supervisor or security officer training?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before you start door supervisor or security officer training, you must hold an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification, or an equivalent the SIA accepts. It must still be valid for at least 12 months from the day your course starts.

We have to see your certificate and keep a record of it before you begin, so bring it with you. If you don't have one yet, book an Emergency First Aid at Work course first: our Courses page lists the dates.

GOV.UK lists the first aid qualifications the SIA accepts.

Question 8

What first aid do I need for close protection?

Accepted Answer

Close protection needs a higher level of first aid. Before close protection training, and before the close protection refresher, you must hold a Level 3 first aid qualification, such as First Aid at Work (FAW), or an equivalent the SIA accepts. It must still be valid for at least 12 months.

An Emergency First Aid at Work certificate is not enough for close protection.

Question 9

Do I need refresher training to renew my licence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you hold a door supervisor, security guard or close protection licence. To renew, you need the refresher qualification for your licence, and before you can take the refresher you must hold a first aid qualification that is still valid for at least 12 months:

- door supervisors and security guards: Emergency First Aid at Work, or an equivalent
- close protection operatives: a Level 3 qualification such as First Aid at Work, or an equivalent

You can apply to renew up to 4 months before your licence runs out, so leave time to take your refresher first. GOV.UK explains how to renew your SIA licence.

Question 10

Do I have to attend the whole course?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SIA licence-linked courses have a minimum number of teaching hours set by the SIA, and you must complete all of them to finish the qualification. We record attendance every day, including late arrivals and early finishes, and any time you miss has to be made up.

Please arrive on time each day and plan to stay until the end.

Question 11

Is there an English language requirement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Security staff need to be able to call the emergency services, write reports and calm situations down, so before licence-linked training we have to check that your reading, writing, speaking and listening in English meet the SIA's minimum. The assessments are all in English.

The minimum is broadly level B2 on the Common European Framework (CEFR), or a qualification such as ESOL or Functional Skills English at Level 1. If you have a certificate like this, bring it. If not, contact us before you book and we'll explain how we check.

Question 12

Is there a minimum age?

Accepted Answer

You must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence. Under SIA rules, door supervisor and close protection courses are only for people aged 18 or over.

People aged 16 and 17 can take some licence-linked qualifications, such as security officer and CCTV, but can't hold the licence until they turn 18. If you're under 18, talk to us before you book.

Question 13

How long does the SIA take to process a licence?

Accepted Answer

The SIA doesn't promise a fixed time, because it depends on your checks: it can take longer if, for example, you've lived abroad or have a criminal record. The SIA's decision timescale indicator gives an estimate for your circumstances.

You can't work in a licensed role until your licence has been granted, so apply as soon as you can after you qualify.

Question 14

What ID and documents do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

For licence-linked courses we must check your identity before you can take any assessments, so bring original documents, not copies or photos:

- photo ID, such as a current passport or a UK photocard driving licence
- proof of your address, such as a recent bank statement or utility bill
- your first aid certificate, for door supervisor, security officer and close protection courses
- your English language certificate, if you have one

Your welcome pack in My bookings lists anything we still need to see for your course. Without the right documents you won't be able to take the assessments, so you couldn't complete the qualification.

Question 15

What time should I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Your welcome pack in My bookings gives the time to arrive, each day's timetable and directions to the venue. On the first day, allow time for us to check your ID and documents before teaching starts.

Question 16

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, and flat, closed shoes. Door supervisor courses include physical intervention, and other courses have practical sessions too, so expect to be on your feet.

If your course has its own dress code, it's on the course page and in your welcome pack.

Question 17

Is there parking at the venue?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the venue. Your welcome pack in My bookings has the venue's address and directions, with parking and travel information for your course.

Question 18

Can you support my access or learning needs?

Accepted Answer

Please tell us about them as early as you can, so we can talk about what's possible before the course. You can add them under Access or learning support requirements in My details, or contact us before you book.

Some adjustments can be made to how you're assessed, within the awarding organisation's rules, but you'll still need to show the skills the qualification is for.

Question 19

What security services do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We provide door supervision, close protection, corporate security, event security, retail security and CCTV monitoring. About & Services says more about each.

Question 20

How do I get a quote for security?

Accepted Answer

Every job is quoted on its own, because the price depends on what's needed: the type of site or event, how many officers, the dates and hours, and any particular risks. Ask for a quote with as much detail as you can, or call us on 020 3750 8875, and we'll come back to you.

Question 21

Are your security staff SIA licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Anyone we deploy in a role that needs a licence, such as door supervision, security guarding, CCTV monitoring or close protection, holds the SIA front-line licence for that role, as the law requires.

Question 22

Can I apply to work for you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use our contact form, choose Apply for a job, and tell us which SIA licence you hold and the kind of work you're looking for.

Frequently asked questions