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SIA Licence Checks: What Employers and Event Organisers Must Verify Before Using Security Staff

Short answer: before anyone carries out licensable security work for you, run an SIA licence check on the official Register of Licence Holders. Confirm that the person holds a licence of the right type for the job, that the licence belongs to them, and that it is still valid on the dates they will work. Then confirm separately that they have the right to work in the UK. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and GOV.UK say employers must check someone holds the correct licence before hiring them for private security work. Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, it is a criminal offence to provide security services under a contract by using people who are not licensed for the work.

Why an SIA licence check matters

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 makes it an offence to engage in licensable conduct without a licence (section 3). Section 5 also creates a separate offence for anyone who provides security industry services by using an individual who is not licensed for the conduct involved.

The penalties under section 5 are significant:

  • on summary conviction: up to six months' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both
  • on conviction on indictment: up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both

Section 5 gives a defence if the provider can show they did not know, and had no reasonable grounds to suspect, that the person was unlicensed, or that they took all reasonable steps to prevent it. A documented SIA licence check can help show reasonable steps. GOV.UK puts it simply: you could be fined or sent to prison if you pay someone to work in security without the right SIA licence.

Who needs an SIA licence?

According to SIA guidance on GOV.UK, a licence is needed when the work is part of a contract for services (for example, a security company placing a guard in a shop and charging the shop) and involves a licensable activity.

People employed in-house (directly by the organisation that uses their services) usually do not need a licence. There are two exceptions where a licence is required whether the person works in-house or not:

  • door supervision at licensed premises (venues licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises and/or to provide regulated entertainment)
  • vehicle immobilisation (Northern Ireland only)

This matters for event organisers. If your venue or event is covered by a premises licence, in-house door staff still need a door supervisor licence.

The guidance also lists activities that do not need a licence. These include genuine volunteering with no payment or reward, checking that people have paid for entry or hold an invitation, and stewarding duties such as directing people to seats, toilets or first-aid points. If a person goes on to refuse someone entry or make them leave, a licence is needed.

Front line and non-front line licences

There are two broad types of SIA licence.

Front line licence

A front line licence is needed by anyone who personally carries out a licensable activity, whatever their job title, including managers and directors. Most front line licences are a plastic photocard that must be worn while working. The key holding licence is the exception and comes as a letter.

Non-front line licence

A non-front line licence is for people who manage, supervise or employ licensed operatives, or who are directors or partners of a business where others carry out licensable activities, but who do not do the work themselves. It comes as a letter and also allows key holding. SIA guidance says to apply for one only if the holder will not personally work as a security operative. Every front line licence also covers the activities of a non-front line licence.

Front line licence types

The SIA lists five manned guarding licences, plus key holding and vehicle immobilisation:

Licence Covers (summary from SIA guidance)
Security guarding Guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour
Door supervision Guarding licensed premises; also allows security guarding
Close protection Guarding people against assault or injury; also allows door supervision and security guarding
Public space surveillance (CCTV) Using CCTV to identify or monitor people to guard against disorder, damage, injury or assault
Cash and valuables in transit Guarding property transported in a vehicle designed for secure transportation
Key holding Keeping or controlling access to keys or devices for operating a lock
Vehicle immobilisation Northern Ireland only

Practical point: a security guarding licence does not cover door supervision at licensed premises. For a bar, club or licensed event, carry out a door supervisor licence check, not just a check that "they have an SIA badge".

How to check an SIA licence: step by step

Step 1: Collect the details before the shift

Ask each operative, or the supplier, for the person's full name and 16-digit SIA licence number. GOV.UK says that to find someone on the register you need either the 16-digit licence number, or their surname plus other personal details such as date of birth and security role. Only collect the personal details you need, and keep them securely.

Step 2: Search the SIA Register of Licence Holders

Use the official register at rolh.services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk (linked from GOV.UK's "Check security staff have a licence to work" page). The SIA is required to keep this register under section 12 of the Act. Searching by licence number is the most precise method.

Step 3: Match the result to the job

Confirm that:

  • the name matches the person's identity documents
  • the licence sector matches the role (for example, door supervision for licensed premises)
  • the licence is current and has not expired before or during the booking

SIA licences last for 3 years (a vehicle immobiliser licence lasts for 1 year), so check the expiry date against every date of the booking.

Step 4: Use date of birth to confirm identity

The register lets you search using a date of birth you already know. The date of birth is not shown in results, but if a result is returned when you enter it, that confirms the date is correct. Addresses are never made public.

Step 5: Check the physical licence on the day

Front line licence holders (other than key holders) must wear their licence where it can be seen at all times while carrying out licensable activity. The front of the card shows the holder's name, photo, licence number, licensed sector and expiry date. Compare the photo with the person in front of you, and the card details with your register check. The SIA's licence conditions allow limited exceptions: the licence has been reported lost or stolen, it is in the SIA's possession, or the work requires the person not to be identifiable (covert work, such as some store detective roles). In covert work the person must still carry the licence and produce it on request.

Step 6: Check right to work separately

An SIA licence is not a right to work check. GOV.UK states that you must check a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before you employ them, either online with a share code, from original documents, or through a certified right to work digital verification service provider (DVSP, previously called IDVT) registered with the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) for eligible British and Irish passports. You could face a civil penalty if you employ an illegal worker without carrying out a correct check. Right to work rules were extended in October 2026 to cover more types of working arrangement, so check the current GOV.UK guidance for your situation (see the GOV.UK Employers' right to work checklist, updated 1 October 2026). Keep copies during employment and for two years after the person stops working for you.

Step 7: Record and re-check

Record who checked, when, the licence number, sector and expiry date. Re-check before each new booking or deployment, because a licence can expire or change after your first check.

SIA licence check checklist

  • ☐ 16-digit licence number and full name obtained
  • ☐ Register of Licence Holders searched on the official SIA service
  • ☐ Name matches identity documents
  • ☐ Licence sector matches the role (door supervision for licensed premises)
  • ☐ Licence valid for every date of the booking
  • ☐ Photocard seen on the day and photo matches the person
  • ☐ Licence worn visibly while working (unless a covert exception applies)
  • ☐ Right to work check completed and copies retained
  • ☐ Supervisors and managers in a contract for services hold a front line or non-front line licence as required
  • ☐ Check recorded with date, checker and outcome

If you are using a security supplier

If you buy security services from a contractor, ask how they verify licences and request licence numbers for named staff so you can run your own SIA licence check. To find a security company approved by the SIA, GOV.UK points to the SIA's register of approved contractors.

FAQ

Can I check an SIA licence online for free? Yes. The Register of Licence Holders is publicly searchable on the official SIA service.

Do in-house security staff need a licence? Usually not, except for door supervision at licensed premises (and vehicle immobilisation in Northern Ireland).

Can members of the public ask to see a licence? Licence holders must wear it visibly, but they only have to produce it for inspection when asked by a police constable, a member or employee of the SIA, or another person the SIA has authorised.

Planning future security staffing?

Cerviz Recruitment is preparing to support UK businesses and event organisers with security workforce recruitment. If you would like to talk about future staffing needs, read about our plans for businesses or get in touch to register your interest. Licensed security professionals can also register interest on our careers page.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the SIA and GOV.UK.

Sources