The SIA Door Supervisor licence is the most common and most versatile licence in the UK security industry. It opens doors — literally — to work in pubs, clubs, events venues, retail environments and corporate sites. This guide covers everything you need to know to get yours, from choosing a training provider to receiving your licence card.
What is the SIA Door Supervisor Licence?
The SIA (Security Industry Authority) Door Supervisor licence is a legal requirement for anyone working as a door supervisor at licensed premises in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Working without a valid licence is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.
The licence is issued by the Security Industry Authority, a government regulator established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. It is valid for three years and must be renewed before expiry.
A Door Supervisor licence is more versatile than a Security Guard licence — it permits work on licensed premises and allows physical intervention techniques, making it the preferred licence for most front-line security roles.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Door Supervisor Licence
Check your eligibility
You must be 18 or over, have the right to work in the UK and pass a criminal records check. Certain criminal convictions will disqualify you — the SIA publishes a full list of disqualifying offences on their website. Most cautions and minor offences will not prevent you from getting a licence.
Choose an SIA-approved training provider
You must complete training with an SIA-approved provider. Check the SIA's official list of approved training providers. Costs range from £400 to £800 depending on location and provider. Do not book training with any provider not on this list — your certificate will not be accepted.
Complete the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors
The course typically runs over 4 to 6 days and covers conflict management, physical intervention, law and legislation, fire safety, first aid and licensing law. You will be assessed through written tests and practical assessments. A first aid qualification (EFAW or FAW) is included in most courses or required alongside them.
Apply to the SIA
Once you have passed your training, apply online at the SIA website. You will need to provide your training certificate, proof of identity, proof of right to work and pay the £190 licence fee. The application is completed online and takes around 30 minutes.
Wait for your licence
Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. You can check your application status on the SIA website. Your physical licence card will arrive by post. You cannot work in a licensable role until the card arrives — do not let any employer tell you otherwise.
Find your first role
Once you have your licence, register on UKSecurityJobs and complete your BS7858-ready profile. Your licence will be verified against the SIA public register and your profile goes live to verified security employers. See all door supervisor jobs currently available.
How Much Does It Cost?
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Level 2 Award training | £400 – £800 |
| First aid certificate (if separate) | £50 – £150 |
| SIA licence application fee | £190 |
| Total | £640 – £1,140 |
Some employers — particularly larger security companies — will fund your training in exchange for a minimum period of employment. It is worth asking about this before paying out of pocket.
Tip: The SIA licence fee is £190. Any training provider asking you to pay the fee to them is incorrect — you pay this directly to the SIA when you apply online. Be cautious of providers who bundle this into their training cost without explanation.
What the Training Covers
The Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors is set by Ofqual and covers the following units:
- Working in the private security industry — law, licensing and the role of the SIA
- Working as a door supervisor — powers of search, refusal of entry, ejection
- Conflict management — communication skills, defusing situations, use of force
- Physical intervention — restraint techniques assessed by trained instructors
- Emergency procedures — fire, medical emergencies, evacuation
- First aid — Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Renewing Your Door Supervisor Licence
Your SIA licence is valid for three years. The SIA will notify you before expiry. From 2025, renewal requires completion of refresher training — you cannot simply renew by paying the fee. Check the SIA website for the current renewal requirements as these are subject to change.
Do not let your licence lapse. If it expires you will need to retrain fully before applying for a new one. Keep a note of your expiry date and begin the renewal process at least three months before it expires.
What Comes Next
A Door Supervisor licence is the foundation of a security career, not the ceiling. Many experienced officers go on to hold multiple SIA licences — adding CCTV Operator or Close Protection qualifications opens significantly more opportunities and higher pay rates.
Once you have your licence, read our guide to why generic job boards fail security professionals and find out how UKSecurityJobs connects verified SIA licence holders with employers who take recruitment seriously.