About the SIA Security Licence Qualification
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence is a legal requirement for anyone working as a Door Supervisor, Security Guard, CCTV Operator, Close Protection Officer, or in several other security roles in the UK. To qualify, you must complete an accredited Level 2 Award qualification (Door Supervisor or Security Guard), pass a criminal record check, and pay the SIA licence fee. The written exam tests your knowledge of legislation, conflict management, and security operations.
The Door Supervisor qualification covers four core areas:
- Legislation: the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the Criminal Law Act 1967, powers of arrest, use of force legislation, the Licensing Act 2003, equality and diversity law (Equality Act 2010)
- Conflict Management: recognising and defusing conflict, communication skills, body language, dealing with intoxicated and aggressive customers, incident documentation, CCTV and evidence
- Physical Intervention Law: legal basis for physical intervention, the SIA's physical intervention training requirements, use of force proportionality, common assault vs battery, duty of care
- Working Practices: searching procedures (consent, reasonable grounds, opposite-gender restrictions), drug awareness, venue fire safety, access control, licensing conditions, and lone working
The written exams are delivered by approved awarding bodies (Highfield, Qualsafe, Skillsfirst, and others). An SIA licence costs £184 and is valid for 3 years.
Important: Working as a door supervisor or security guard without a valid SIA licence is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to £5,000 and/or 6 months' imprisonment under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. An enhanced DBS check is required, any relevant unspent convictions will prevent licence approval. The licence must be worn visibly while on duty.
Key SIA Licence Facts to Know
- SIA licence fee: £184, paid directly to the SIA, valid for 3 years
- DBS check: Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check required, relevant unspent convictions will block licence approval
- Powers of arrest: Door supervisors have the same powers as ordinary citizens (citizen's arrest under s.24A PACE 1984), no special police powers
- Use of force: Must be reasonable, proportionate, and necessary, any force beyond this is an assault
- Search powers: No automatic right to search, searches require consent. Opposite-gender restrictions apply
- Licensing Act 2003: Know the four licensing objectives and how they apply to licensed premises where door supervisors work
- Equality Act 2010: Nine protected characteristics, door supervisors cannot refuse entry based on race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
- Licence display: SIA licence must be visibly worn on duty, failure to display can result in enforcement action
- First aid: A separate first aid qualification is typically required as part of the Door Supervisor course
SIA and awarding body resources provide no standalone practice exam questions. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions covering all four qualification areas with step-by-step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | SIA / Awarding Body Resources | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by section | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the section you find hardest.
