To work as a door supervisor you need an SIA licence, and for that you need the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry.[1][2] The mock papers and practice here cover the knowledge that qualification assesses; the qualification itself comes only from training with an approved provider.[3]
The SIA guidance and the Pearson specification quoted here apply across the UK.
Before you book the course
- You cannot start the training without a first aid qualification that is still valid for at least 12 more months.[4]
- For a first licence, the door supervisor qualification must be no more than three years old.[5]
- If you held a door supervisor licence in the last three years, you renew with the refresher on top of a full qualification.[6]
The refresher guide and the new licence or renewal guide go through those rules in detail.
What the door supervisor units cover
On top of the common units every licence shares, Pearson’s door supervisor specification sets out topics of its own, including:[7]
- a door supervisor’s right to search;[7]
- drug misuse legislation and the procedure for seized drugs;[8][9]
- why crime scenes are recorded and preserved;[10]
- the law on refusing entry to and ejecting customers;[11]
- crowd capacity and the responsibilities that come with it;[12]
- equipment, including body-worn cameras.[13]
What a written paper cannot test
Parts of the qualification are shown, not written. The specification asks you to demonstrate searching a person, a bag and a coat with a handheld metal detector, and to demonstrate working with colleagues to calm a conflict.[14][15]
Those are assessed on the course. Nothing here assesses them, and what online practice can and cannot do explains where the line sits.
What this guide does not cover
- The physical intervention unit, which is taught and assessed in person.
- Paper formats set by awarding organisations other than Pearson, which we have not verified.
Where to go next
Sources
Each passage below is quoted from the copy of the document we checked on the date shown. Follow the link to read it in full on the publisher’s site.
it shall be an offence for a person to engage in any licensable conduct except under and in accordance with a licence
1. legislation.gov.ukPrivate Security Industry Act 2001 (opens in a new tab)Section 3: conduct prohibited without a licenceUK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry
2. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a door supervisor licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026You must get your training from an approved training provider.
3. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Search for a training providerUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026You must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a full qualification or the refresher qualification. Your first aid qualification must be valid for at least another 12 months.
4. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a door supervisor licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026If you are applying for a licence for the first time, you must have got your qualification within the last 3 years.
5. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)IntroductionUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026If you are renewing your door supervisor licence or you held a door supervisor licence within the last 3 years, then you must hold both of the following: a full licence-linked qualification the ‘Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)’ qualification
6. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a door supervisor licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Identify a door supervisor’s right to search; Only with the permission from the person prior to the search
7. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 2.2, page 73UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Identify relevant aspects of drug- misuse legislation; Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
8. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 3.1, page 80UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State the procedures for handling and storing seized drugs
9. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 3.6, page 82UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State reasons for recording and preserving crime scenes
10. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 4.1, page 83UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State the law in relation to refusing entry and ejecting customers
11. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 5.2, page 86UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State the responsibilities of a door supervisor in relation to crowd capacity regulations
12. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 6.5, page 90UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Securing evidence against an offender; Deterring crimes; Self-protection
13. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 7.3, page 93UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Be able to use a handheld metal detector; Be able to search a bag; Be able to search a coat and/or outer garment (hoodies/hats/scarf/gloves); Be able to conduct a pat-down search of an individual
14. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 2.7, page 75UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Demonstrate working with colleagues to de-escalate conflict situations
15. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 3, criterion 4.6, page 109UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026
SIA Mock Test UK is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the Security Industry Authority, GOV.UK or any awarding organisation. Practice questions are original and are not live exam questions. This service does not replace mandatory licence-linked training, practical assessment or first-aid requirements. Always confirm current requirements with GOV.UK, your approved training provider and your awarding organisation.
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