• By - FMT-Admin
• October 30, 2026
• Uncategorized

An SIA Security Guard Licence lasts three years, according to the Security Industry Authority. SIA licensed security guards can start a renewal application four months before the current licence expires. Knowing the expiry date is only part of the process: eligibility, identity checks and criminal record requirements also matter.

It’s sensible to check SIA licensed security guards’ requirements well before a licence is due for renewal, particularly when a role depends on the person holding a valid licence. This guide explains how to check a licence’s status, when to apply for renewal, and what applicants should consider about eligibility, identity and time spent living abroad. It also explains how employers can verify a guard’s licence before arranging security cover, so decisions are based on current status rather than assumptions.

Identity and criminal record checks

1. Confirm that the applicant meets the age requirement before starting an application. According to the Security Industry Authority, applicants for a UK SIA Security Guard Licence must be at least 18 years old. Check the date of birth against the applicant’s identity details, and correct inconsistencies before submitting information. This helps prevent avoidable errors at the outset.
2. Prepare the identity information needed for the application and check every entry carefully. Names, dates of birth and addresses should be consistent across the information provided. If a detail has changed, identify the difference before applying rather than leaving conflicting information unexplained. Keep a record of the details submitted so the applicant can refer to them if clarification is needed.
3. Read each criminal record question fully and answer accurately. Do not assume a past matter is irrelevant or leave a response blank because its significance is uncertain. The application requires a clear account of the information requested. Check dates and details against personal records before submission, and make sure any explanation directly addresses the question.
4. Review the applicant’s residence history before completing the application. According to the Security Industry Authority, applicants who have lived abroad for 6 months or more may be required to provide supporting evidence for a UK security guard licence application. Identify periods spent outside the UK and organise relevant evidence where required. This preparation can help address questions about overseas residence without delaying information gathering.
5. Review the application before submitting it. Compare the identity details, residence history and criminal record responses for consistency. Check that every question has an accurate answer and that supporting evidence matches the information provided. Correct any errors through the appropriate application process rather than submitting details known to be inaccurate. Retain a copy of the submitted information for reference.

Finding out whether an SIA licence is needed

1. Start with the actual duties, not the job title. Compare each task with the security activity involved. A receptionist greeting visitors has different responsibilities from a guard controlling access. Protecting premises, monitoring entry or responding to incidents may constitute security work. Record the duties, location and level of responsibility before assessing whether licensing applies.
2. In the United Kingdom, licensing depends on whether the work is licensable. Working in licensable security activities without the required SIA licence is illegal unless the employer has the specified exemption under Section 4(4). Check the role against that distinction before recruitment or changing duties. A job description alone may not capture what happens during each shift.
3. Set the licence-handling procedure before the first shift. Keep the licence accessible while working and follow role-specific instructions on displaying it. Display arrangements can depend on the duties and working environment. For example, a visible front-of-house post may allow the licence to be displayed more readily than work requiring protective clothing. Include the procedure in the site induction.
4. Budget for both training and the application. Course choice and individual requirements affect the amount paid, so distinguish the training charge from the application fee.
5. Reassess the requirement whenever duties change. A worker hired for reception may later control access or patrol a site. That change can alter the licensing assessment, even if the job title stays unchanged. Record revised duties and establish the required licence before assigning the work. For operational planning, consider security guard cover alongside the duties involved.

Licence duration and renewal

1. Record the expiry date as soon as the licence is issued. According to the Security Industry Authority, an SIA Security Guard Licence is valid for 3 years. Use the date shown on the licence, rather than estimating from the course or application date. Add a reminder to your work calendar, then review it during routine personnel checks.
2. Plan renewal early, not on the final day. According to the Security Industry Authority, an SIA licence renewal can be started 4 months before the existing licence expires. Use that window to review the expiry date, prepare the application and address any information that needs attention. Starting promptly gives you time to manage the process before the current licence ends.
3. Check the SIA licence record before starting a renewal. Confirm that the name and licence details match the holder’s current records. Resolving inconsistencies before applying can help avoid unnecessary follow-up. Keep relevant details together so the holder can refer to accurate information while completing the renewal.
4. Follow the renewal application instructions carefully. Enter the requested details accurately, review each response and submit the application through the specified process. Keep a note of the submission and any messages received. If the Security Industry Authority requests more information, follow its instructions and retain a copy of your response.
5. Track the application against the existing expiry date. Employers should record which staff members have renewals in progress and plan duties around each licence’s current status. An application does not prove that a licence has been renewed. Check the register for updated status before relying on the renewed licence for security work.

How can I check whether a security guard’s SIA licence is valid?

1. Ask the guard for their SIA licence details before arranging work. Employers should check that a person holds the appropriate security licence before arranging private security work. Match the licence category to the planned duties rather than relying on a job title or verbal assurance. Record the check as part of recruitment and assignment procedures.
2. Use the SIA register to search for the licence holder. Enter their 16-digit SIA licence number if available. If you do not have that number, search using the person’s surname and other identifying details, such as their date of birth and security role. Accurate information helps distinguish the right record from someone with similar details.
3. Compare the register entry with the person presenting for work. Check that the name and security role correspond to the individual and their duties. Review the licence status and expiry information shown in the record. Resolve any discrepancy before treating the record as a match. A licence belonging to another person does not establish the worker’s status.
4. Check the relevant role, not simply whether a record appears. A guard assigned to a particular security activity needs the appropriate licence for that work. Verify that the role shown matches the actual responsibilities at the site. Keep the result, date checked and assignment details together so managers can refer to a consistent verification record.
5. Repeat the register check when arranging a new assignment or reviewing an existing one. Licence status can change, so an earlier search should not be treated as current indefinitely. Set a clear process for managers to confirm status before deployment and retain a record of each check. To arrange operational cover, discuss security guard requirements.

FMT Security: Construction Security

FMT Security provides Construction Security for projects where site protection needs to support daily operations and safeguard assets. This is a practical next step when a site needs professional security guard services, not just licence guidance. Security arrangements should reflect the site’s location, activities and risks.

FMT Security also provides Corporate Security, Industrial Security and Event Security. These services address different commercial environments, allowing organisations to consider guarding in relation to their operational setting. For construction projects, discuss the site’s requirements and the security support needed. Contact FMT Security to discuss Construction Security, or visit fmtsecurity.co.uk.

Build licence oversight into your security planning

Make licence checks part of routine workforce and site planning. Assign responsibility for keeping verification records current, and ensure managers can access the information before allocating security duties. This gives teams deploying SIA-licensed security guards a clearer process, particularly when staffing or site requirements change. Consistent oversight also connects personnel checks with broader business continuity and protection planning.

Where those plans identify a need for professional guarding, FMT Security provides Construction Security, Corporate Security and Industrial Security. Each service can support a different operational environment, from a building project to a workplace or industrial site. Consider the site’s security requirements and the duties that need to be covered, then take the next step by contacting FMT Security for advice. A clear plan helps your organisation move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is my SIA Licence valid for?

An SIA Security Guard Licence is valid for 3 years, according to the Security Industry Authority. Use the expiry date shown on your licence to plan ahead, since issue and expiry dates are specific to each holder. For example, add the displayed date to your personal calendar and workplace records. Check the register before accepting a new security assignment.

If I have a criminal record, can I still get an SIA Licence?

A criminal record is considered during the SIA application assessment, so its existence alone does not determine the outcome. Answer each criminal record question accurately and provide the details requested. The Authority assesses the information against its criminality criteria. Keep relevant dates and records to hand so your responses are complete and consistent.

What is the Security Guard Licence?

The Security Guard Licence is an SIA licence for people performing licensable security guard work in the UK. It is distinct from the training qualification: completing a course does not itself provide a licence. Someone assigned to security guarding duties needs to meet the relevant licensing requirements, not simply hold evidence of course attendance.

What is an SIA licence and which security roles require one in the UK?

An SIA licence authorises a person to undertake relevant licensable private security work. The register covers security guards, door supervisors, close protection operatives, public space surveillance CCTV operators, key holders, and cash and valuables in transit guards. Check the duties involved, since a job title alone may not show whether the work falls within a licensable role.

What are the eligibility requirements for an SIA security guard licence?

Applicants must meet the age, identity, criminality and qualification requirements. According to the Security Industry Authority, applicants for a UK SIA Security Guard Licence must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who have lived abroad for 6 months or more may also need supporting evidence, according to the Authority. Review these requirements before submitting an application.

What training and qualifications are required to become an SIA-licensed security guard?

The listed qualification for the licence is Security Guarding Level 2. A first aid qualification is required before taking the security guard course from 1 April 2021. The course is described as taking 4 days, with 3 multiple-choice exams. Check that your training and qualification meet the licence requirements before beginning the application process.