Pick the licence for the work you will actually do, because each front line licence has its own licence-linked qualification.[1][2][3] Doing licensable work without the right licence is a criminal offence.[4]
The SIA guidance and the Private Security Industry Act 2001 quoted here apply across the UK.
The licences the SIA issues
The door supervisor specification lists the licensable roles under the Private Security Industry Act 2001: vehicle immobilisation, security guarding, door supervision, CCTV, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and key holding.[5]
Under section 3 of the Act, the activities that need a licence are those designated by an order made by the Secretary of State.[6]
Not every licence needs a qualification. A non-front line licence and a key holding licence need no licence-linked qualification.[7]
This site covers three front line routes. Door supervisor and security guard have published questions; CCTV operator does not yet. The sections below start with those three.
Door supervisor
Door supervisors work on behalf of licence holders at licensed premises. The licence holder decides the admission policy and house rules, and door supervisors acting for them promote those policies.[8]
The qualification’s own units cover searching, drug misuse legislation, the law on refusing entry and ejecting customers, and controlling queues.[9][10][11][12]
The current full qualifications the SIA lists are the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry and, in Scotland, the Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6.[1][13]
Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry
Security guard
The security officer specification names the settings this work covers: retail, corporate, asset protection, educational establishments and the health and care sector, including the NHS.[14]
Its listed responsibilities include protecting life, preventing and deterring crime, preventing loss, responding to incidents and emergencies, and controlling access to a site.[15] Patrolling is part of it too: to check all is in order, to act as a visual deterrent and to find weaknesses in site security.[16]
The licence is called security guard; the qualification is the Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry, or in Scotland the Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6.[2][17]
Public space surveillance (CCTV)
The CCTV licence is formally a public space surveillance licence. Its current qualification is the Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry.[3][18]
Its renewal rules differ from the other two routes. The SIA’s section for this licence names no refresher; if you have held it before, an older qualification may be accepted within three years of the licence becoming inactive.[19]
This guide does not describe the units of the CCTV operator qualification, whose questions are still being prepared. The CCTV and data protection guide covers the data protection rules every camera operator works under.
Other licences
- Close protection needs the Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry.[20]
- Cash and valuables in transit needs the Level 2 Award for Working as a Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative within the Private Security Industry.[21]
- Vehicle immobilising needs the Level 2 Award in Vehicle Immobilisation in the Private Security Industry.[22]
- Key holding needs no qualification, unless your call-outs include manned guarding activities, which need the front line licence and qualification for that work.[23]
This site has no practice questions on any of these four licences.
Before you commit to a course
Whichever route you choose, the training has to be with an approved provider, and the door supervisor, security guard and close protection courses need a first aid qualification in place first, with 12 months or more of validity left.[24][25]
Check who awards the qualification. For door supervisor, security guard and CCTV licences, the SIA does not accept a qualification BIIAB granted on or after 11 August 2026.[26]
Timing matters as well. A qualification gained more than three years before a first application is too old to use.[27] If you have held a licence before, the new licence or renewal guide explains which rules apply to you.
Questions people ask
Is a security guard licence the same as a security officer qualification?
They go together. The SIA calls the licence security guard, and the qualification it lists for it is the Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry.[2]
Do I need a qualification to work as a key holder?
Not for a key holding licence on its own. If your call-outs include manned guarding activities, you need the front line licence and qualification for that work.[23]
What this guide does not cover
- Which awarding organisations offer each qualification. Our archived copy of the SIA’s page did not capture those lists completely, so we do not reproduce them. Check the current page on GOV.UK before booking.
- Whether holding one licence lets you do the work of another. None of the pages we cite says so either way, so ask the SIA.
- The units of the CCTV operator, close protection, cash and valuables in transit and vehicle immobilising qualifications.
- Licence fees, application steps and processing times.
Where to go next
New licence or renewal
Which qualification you need, depending on whether you have held a licence before.
What online practice can and cannot do
Where practice questions help, and what only training can give you.
Door Supervisor mock test
Door Supervisor and Security Guard both have published questions; CCTV does not yet.
SIA documents
The licensing guidance and qualification specifications.
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.
Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry
1. 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 2026Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer 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 security guard licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026To apply for a front line public space surveillance licence , you must hold one of the current qualifications we list below.
3. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a public space surveillance (CCTV) licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026it shall be an offence for a person to engage in any licensable conduct except under and in accordance with a licence
4. legislation.gov.ukPrivate Security Industry Act 2001 (opens in a new tab)Section 3: conduct prohibited without a licenceUK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Licensed sectors in manned guarding vehicle immobilisation; security guarding, door supervision; CCTV; close protection, cash and valuables in transit (CVIT), key holding.
5. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 1, criterion 2.4, page 38UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026In this Act “designated activities” means such of the activities of a security operative as are for the time being designated for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State
6. legislation.gov.ukPrivate Security Industry Act 2001 (opens in a new tab)Section 3(3)UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026You do not need a licence-linked qualification to get a non-front line licence or a key holding licence
7. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)IntroductionUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Licence holder decides on admission policy and other house rules; Door supervisors, acting on behalf of licence holders should promote those policies
8. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 5.4, page 86UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State the different type of search carried out by a door supervisor
9. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 2.1, page 73UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Identify relevant aspects of drug- misuse legislation; Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
10. 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 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 when controlling queues
12. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 6.1, page 89UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6
13. 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 different security officer roles within the private security industry; Retail; Corporate; Asset protection; Educational establishments; Health and care sector (NHS).
14. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 1.1, page 71UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Protect life; Prevent and deter crime; Prevent loss; Protect property and assets; Respond to incidents and emergencies; Control site access/egress
15. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 1.2, page 71UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026State the purposes of patrolling; To ensure all is in order; Visual deterrent; Identifies weaknesses in site security and actions needing to be taken.
16. Pearson Education LimitedBTEC Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry: Specification (opens in a new tab)Unit 2, criterion 7.1, page 96UK wide · Checked 5 Sept 2026Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF Level 6
17. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a security guard licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Level 2 Award for Working as a CCTV Operator (Public Space Surveillance) within the Private Security Industry
18. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a public space surveillance (CCTV) licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026If you are applying for a public space surveillance licence and you have held it before, we may accept an older qualification. We only do this if it has been less than 3 years since your old licence became inactive.
19. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a public space surveillance (CCTV) licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry
20. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a close protection licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Level 2 Award for Working as a Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative within the Private Security Industry
21. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a cash and valuables in transit licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026Level 2 Award in Vehicle Immobilisation in the Private Security Industry
22. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a vehicle immobilising licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026There are no training and qualifications required for a key holding licence. However, if the activities undertaken when you respond to a call-out may include those defined as manned guarding activities. If you undertake such activity you will need the appropriate front line licence and its associated qualification.
23. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Required qualifications for key holdingUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026You must get your training from an approved training provider.
24. 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.
25. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Qualification for a close protection licenceUK wide · Checked 12 Sept 2026We will not accept qualifications granted by BIIAB on or after 11 August 2026. We will still accept qualifications granted prior to that.
26. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)Door supervisor, CCTV and security guard sectionsUK 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.
27. Security Industry AuthorityCheck what training you need to get an SIA licence (opens in a new tab)IntroductionUK wide · Checked 12 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.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Read the licence.