SIA consults on changes to security licence qualifications

The Security Industry Authority has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the content and requirements of licence-linked qualifications.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is seeking views on a range of proposed changes to the licence-linked qualifications, and the pre-requisites required to obtain a licence. The proposals are the result of industry engagement and a strategic review carried out this year.

The regulator has launched a public consultation on its proposals including:

• updated specifications with new proposed content requirements for the training and qualifications required to get a licence
• changing the ways in which the assessment of learners’ ability to speak and understand English is carried out, including requiring an additional independent test to provide greater confidence in communication skills
• changes to how learners show they are competent in first aid, including a new security-specific first aid qualification more closely aligned with the types of incidents security operatives will encounter in their work

This follows extensive engagement and independent research with members of the private security industry and other stakeholders.

The research carried out as part of the review confirmed that 91 per cent of licence-holders surveyed considered first aid skills to be important to their role and over half had used their first aid training on the job. Given the importance of first aid skills to the role, the SIA is proposing that holding an in-date first aid qualification becomes a licence condition for close protection operatives, door supervisors and security guards, meaning the SIA may take action against operatives who let their first aid certificate lapse.

Eighty-one per cent of survey respondents confirmed the importance of communication skills. A new, additional, independent English language test is being proposed, alongside proposals for more standardised testing from awarding organisations, to improve confidence in this and ensure learners have the level of functional English required to safely conduct their duties.

The research and stakeholder engagement highlighted an increase in both the levels of crime and violence that operatives face, especially in the retail environment. With SIA research showing that 43 per cent of licence holders are having to deal with increasing levels of violence at work, the SIA is proposing changes to the conflict management skills specification to include more real-life scenarios for security guarding operatives. It is also proposing a first of its kind, post-licence standard in advanced physical intervention skills, suitable for higher-risk deployments. The consultation asks if this new standard should be voluntary or compulsory.

More widely, the consultation seeks views on proposed changes to the content specifications for the qualifications. The new proposed standards and requirements will ensure security operatives have the essential, safety-critical skills and knowledge to keep them and the public safe. The updates in the common unit module include:

• recording incidents and crime scene preservation
• changes to the law, including awareness of Martyn’s Law
• changes to how security operatives respond to drug use
• extending spiking awareness training (only applicable currently to door supervision and close protection training) to security guarding and CCTV operators courses
• improved content and training on searching wheelchairs and other mobility devices
• dealing with social media and ‘auditing’ activity, and emerging technologies such as drones

Alongside this is also refreshed counter-terrorism awareness content for security operatives in a new single learning package, developed with policing partners.

The SIA is also asking if licence integration allowing close protection licence holders to carry out door supervision and security guarding roles should end, and if the first aid training requirements for close protection operatives should change.

Tim Archer, Executive Director of Licensing and Standards at the SIA, said:  "As the demands on private security operatives evolve, their skills and knowledge need to keep pace. Thank you to all those members of the security industry and other stakeholders who have participated in the review so far. This review has been a strategic reset and comes at an important time for the security industry.

"It is important that the public, security employers and the SIA have trust and confidence that those with an SIA licence have been properly tested on the basic skills and knowledge they need to do the job. This includes their ability to understand and communicate effectively in English and that when they respond to keep the public safe, they have the right first aid skills to help.

"We review the SIA licence-linked qualifications every five years, but this time we have done this differently. We have listened to the views of a larger number of people on what they wanted to see change earlier on. We have also looked not only at the content and technical specifications of the qualifications, but also at the essential pre-requisites for doing the job – first aid and the ability to speak English.

"These proposals have been worked up based on what we’ve heard from our extensive stakeholder engagement so far. As part of this public consultation, we are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in the private security industry, from front line licence holders, employers, businesses and buyers of security, training providers and trainers, to safety stewards thinking about becoming a licensed security operative and the public. Ensuring licensed security operatives have up to date and relevant skills is crucial for their job of keeping the public safe and property and premises protected and secure and we all have an interest in getting this right."

The consultation closes on Friday 23 October 2026. Final specifications will be published in winter 2026, ahead of new qualifications launching later in 2027.  

Those interested are invited to respond. Details of how to do this are available from the SIA’s consultation page.