Fee change — April 2026: The SIA licence application fee increased from £184 to £204 on 1 April 2026. This applies to all frontline licence renewals. Many guides online still show the old fee — always verify at GOV.UK.
Who Needs to Renew and When
Your SIA licence is valid for three years (two years for Close Protection). It will not renew automatically — you must apply for a renewal if you want to keep working legally in the private security industry. You are not guaranteed a renewal just because you already hold a licence.
You can apply to renew up to 4 months before your licence expires. The SIA recommends starting at least 6–8 weeks before expiry to allow for processing. If your renewal application is submitted before expiry but still being processed when your licence expires, you can continue working in the same role while you wait.
If your licence has already expired: You cannot renew — you must apply for a new licence. You also cannot legally work in a licensable role until a new licence is issued. Check your expiry date now at the SIA licence checker.
2026 Renewal Costs
| Licence Type | Renewal Fee (from April 2026) | Additional Licence (50% discount) |
|---|---|---|
| Door Supervisor | £204 | £102 (if eligible) |
| Security Guard | £204 | £102 (if eligible) |
| CCTV Operator (PSS) | £204 | £102 (if eligible) |
| Close Protection | £204 | £102 (if eligible) |
| Key Holding / Cash in Transit | £204 | £102 (if eligible) |
The 50% discount applies if you already hold one SIA licence and apply for an additional licence in a different sector, and you paid full price for the first licence. It does not apply to renewals in the same sector. Always verify eligibility at GOV.UK.
Note that the licence fee does not include training costs. Refresher/top-up training is an additional expense paid to your training provider — typically £150–£350 depending on role and provider.
Refresher Training Requirements
Since October 2021, mandatory refresher training has been required before renewing Door Supervisor and Security Guard licences. From 1 April 2026, refresher training is also mandatory for Close Protection renewals. Always check GOV.UK for the current requirements for your specific licence.
| Licence | Refresher Training Required? | First Aid Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Door Supervisor | Yes — mandatory | Yes — valid EFAW or equivalent |
| Security Guard | Yes — mandatory | Yes — valid EFAW or equivalent |
| CCTV Operator (PSS) | Typically required | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Close Protection | Yes — mandatory from April 2026 | Yes |
Refresher training covers updated legislation, counter-terrorism awareness (ACT Awareness and ACT Security courses on ProtectUK), conflict management updates, and for DS officers, physical intervention refresher. Training is delivered by SIA-approved providers and typically takes 2 days.
Step-by-Step Renewal Process
December 2025 Licensing Rule Changes
The SIA updated its licensing decision rules on 1 December 2025. These changes affect how the SIA assesses criminal records and other eligibility factors during both new applications and renewals. If you have any convictions or cautions on your record, review the updated SIA licensing criteria on GOV.UK before applying.
What Happens if Your Licence Lapses
If your licence expires before you have applied for renewal, you cannot legally work in any licensable security role. You must apply as a new applicant — you cannot renew an expired licence. You will need to re-complete any required training and pay the full £204 fee.
Working in a licensable role without a valid SIA licence is a criminal offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and can result in a fine of up to £5,000, up to six months imprisonment, or both. Employers who knowingly use unlicensed staff face the same penalties.
Employer Reimbursement
Many security employers will cover renewal costs for established staff. The £204 licence fee plus training costs of £150–£350 represent a total of £354–£554 per renewal cycle. Ask your employer before paying yourself — this is a reasonable business expense for any security company to cover for valued employees.
Once your licence is renewed, make sure your UKSecurityJobs profile is updated with your new expiry date so employers can see your verified status. Browse current security vacancies or explore the full UK security salary guide.