SIA introduces changes for close protection operatives

Courtesy SIA 

On 1st April 2025 the SIA have made it a requirement for a ‘refresher’ qualification to be obtained before operatives can renew their close protection licence. They must hold a level 3 first aid qualification (FAW or equivalent) before they can take the refresher training. They will need to show this to their training provider when they register for the course.

CHANGES FOR CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATIVES

Changes the SIA introduced in 2022
In 2022 the SIA introduced an updated close protection qualification. It also made it a requirement that you must have the new qualification or take top-up training before you can apply for or renew a close protection licence.

Changes for door supervisors and security guards
These changes apply to you if you hold, or are applying for, a door supervisor or security guard licence.

Changes the SIA introduced on 1st April 2025
On 1st April 2025 we made it a requirement that you must have a ‘refresher’ qualification before you can renew your door supervisor or security guard licence. You must hold an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before you can take the refresher training. You will need to show this to your training provider when you register for the course.

Changes the SIA introduced in 2021
In 2021 the SIA introduced new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation. The SIA also made it a requirement that:

• You must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, 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 or renew a door supervisor and security guard licence
   

Why are such changes necessary?
The SIA need 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

Switching to a different licence
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

If you already 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 refresher training and switch to a door supervisor licence

FIRST AID TRAINING

Door supervisors and security guards
You must complete an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before taking your licence-linked training. This applies both to the full licence-linked training courses and to the refresher training.

The SIA accept 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)

Training providers can provide more information about this.

Close protection operatives
You must complete a first aid qualification at level 3 or above before taking your licence-linked training. Some examples are:

• Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW)
• Level 3 First Person on Scene (FPOS)
• Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC)

The SIA accept other qualifications and training providers can tell you more about this.

Find out more
To find out more: www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-sia-licence-linked-training-your-questions-answered