Security Industry Authority
On 1 April 2021 we introduced new licence-linked qualifications. We also introduced new requirements for training providers. Read more about these changes
You must meet certain requirements to offer the training that leads to an SIA licence-linked qualification.
You must be approved by an awarding organisation
You must get approval from an awarding organisation that offers SIA licence-linked qualifications.
They are:
- BIIAB for Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding
- Highfield Qualifications for Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding
- Pearson BTEC for Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding, Vehicle Immobilising
- Qualifications Network for Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding
- SFJ Awards for Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding
- Trident Awards (Laser Learning Awards) for Cash and Valuables in Transit, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Security Guarding
You must be competent in the sector
If you are new to training then:
- for cash and valuables in transit - you must have at least 12 months front line experience from within the last 3 years
- for close protection, door supervision, public space surveillance (CCTV), security guarding and vehicle immobilising - you must have at least 2 years front line operational experience from within the last 5 years
For all sectors except close protection, your experience must be from within the UK. For close protection, awarding organisations may accept experience from outside the UK. They will be able to advise you on this.
If you are already a trainer then you must spend at least 40 hours every year keeping your knowledge and skills up to date. Examples of how you can do this include:
- attending conferences and seminars
- working in the sector
- taking additional training
You must have the right qualifications
Qualifications for all trainers
You must have achieved the Award in Education and Training (QCF/RQF level 3 or SCQF level 6), or 1 of the following:
- a teaching or training qualification at QCF/RQF Level 3 or SCQF Level 6, accredited by SQA Accreditation/QCA/Ofqual or validated by a higher education institution
- a teaching or training qualification equivalent to a QCF/RQF Level 3 or SCQF Level 6 qualification
Examples of qualifications we accept as equivalent are:
- Level 4 Award in Education and Training (QCF/RQF)?
- Certificate in Education?
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education?
- SVQs in Learning and Development at SCQF Level 8 and 9??
- NVQ Levels 3 and 4 in Learning and Development?
- Scottish Training Qualification for Further Education (TQFE)?
- PTLLS, CTLLS or DTLLS?
- Masters Degree in Education
You should contact one of the awarding organisations if you want to check that your qualification is eligible.
Qualifications for all assessors
Unless you are assessing cash and valuables in transit or close protection training, you must hold one of the following:
- an assessor qualification from the list below:
- Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (RQF)
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (RQF)
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (RQF)
- A1 Assessing Learners Using a Range of Methods
- D32 Assess Learner Performance
- D33 Assess Learner Using Different sources of Evidence
- L&D 9D Assess workplace competence using direct methods
- L&D 9DI Assess workplace competences using direct and indirect methods
- Unit 1 Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment?(from an assessor qualification)
- a teaching qualification from the list below:
- Level 3 Award in Education and Training
- 12 credit Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- Level 3 Certificate/Level 4 Diploma in Learning and Development
Internal quality assurers
Unless you are assuring cash and valuables in transit or close protection training, you must hold one of the following:
- an assurance qualification from the list below:
- Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices (RQF)
- Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices (RQF)
- Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Process and Practices (RQF)
- V1 Conduct Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process
- D34 Internally Verify the Assessment Process
- L&D 11 Internal Quality Assurance
- the Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment unit from an IQA qualification
Trainers and assessors of counter-terrorism training
In addition to the qualifications for all trainers and assessors, you must have completed:
- the ACT Awareness e-learning course
- the ACT Security e-learning course
You must re-take and complete both e-learning courses every year.
Trainers and assessors of conflict management
In addition to the qualifications for all trainers and assessors, you must also hold a qualification at or above NQF/QCF/RQF Level 3 in the delivery of conflict management training.
Trainers and assessors of physical intervention skills for door supervision
In addition to the qualifications for all trainers and assessors, you must also hold all the following:
- a level 3 Award for Deliverers of Physical Intervention Training in the Private Security Industry (QCF/RQF) - see
- a current certificate (updated annually) from an approved level 3 programme provider that confirms your ability to deliver the skills in that approved level 2 programme
Trainers and assessors of physical intervention skills for close protection
In addition to the qualifications for all trainers and assessors, you must also hold all the following:
- a level 3 Award for Deliverers of Physical Intervention Training for Close Protection Operatives (RQF) - see
- a current certificate from an approved level 3 programme provider for close protection physical intervention, that confirms your ability to deliver the skills in an approved level 2 programme
You must follow our published rules
We have set rules for examination venues and things such as the minimum number of training hours for each course. These are published in