How Long Does an SIA Licence Last and Why Should You Care?

i 3 What Do We Cover In This Article?

How Long Does An SIA License Last?

If you use the services of security guards in any capacity via a contract security service then it is important to know that a person’s SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence lasts for only three years from the date it is issued. During this three year period they are permitted to work in the industry providing other conditions are met such as right to work in the UK and no new criminal convictions materialist in that time. Around 6-3 months before expiry the licence will need to be renewed if the person wants to continue working in security.

Knowing how long SIA licences last it a priority for every business because if security staff have expired licences they can’t work at all as security in any capacity. If you don’t know your teams security licences expiry dates if can put your security arrangements and operations at risk. In the UK, there are over 432,282 active SIA licences, which highlights the demand for security guards across nearly every industry.

Why is Timely SIA Renewal Important for Your Business?

If your a business who relies heavily on your contract security provider, ensuring that their management are on their game and making sure their licences are up to date is super important. If they aren’t keeping tabs your business could face serious problems such as fines for non-compliance. Yes, that goes for your business and the security company. Also, if you have security then it is there for a reason likely to mitigate potential risks. So if there is an incident and it transpires the security team involved has an expired licence, your insurance might not cover it leaving you further financially exposed.

For example, if a jewellery store hires a security guard service they trust the security provider to protect their products, staff and customers. But if their staff have expired licenses and a theft happens, they will likely might be stuck with the loss and insurance won’t pay settle the claim.

How Do You Renew an SIA Licence?

The SIA has been in operation since 2003 and since the early days the process of renewing an SIA licence has been made very easy and straightforward. However with the sheer number of people working in the industry it is important to plan ahead. An SIA licence can be renewed up to four months before they expire, so it’s wise a person should start early to avoid any gaps where a person can’t work. They shouldn’t worry about applying for it ahead of time as they won’t lose the time still left on the current licence.

This is the journey of a typical security guard when they apply for their license renewal. They login to their SIA account and update their details such as address, work history and upload their refresher training corticates. They will then pay the renewal fee which is typically £184 for a single licence. After this the background checks are conducted by the DBS and SIA and the licence is generally approved in around 2-3 weeks. However I have personally seen licence renewals turnaround in as little as 48 hours.

a security guard renewing his license on the PC

What Happens if a Licence Expires?

They can’t legally work in the security industry if a their security licence isn’t renewed on time. This could leave your business without the security you need for safety reasons and it could also lead to fines or legal trouble if your unaware of the licence expiry and they continue working past that date.

How Can You Ensure Your Security Provider is Compliant?

In order to stay compliant at all times have regular monthly meetings with your security provider. Ask them for a list of the current team trained to the location. On that list make sure they have the licence numbers to hand and their expiry dates. Now you have this list you can personally check the licences of the security team online through the SIA website for free. When you have your catch up meetings gauge how your security provider tracks when their staff’s licences expire and that they start the renewal process well in advance.

Stay Informed: Stay updated on SIA licensing requirements if your regularly hire security staff so you can hold your provider accountable.

By taking these bits of advice onboard you will massively reduce the risk of unlicensed personnel working for your business and help keep your security services running smooth.

Why Does SIA Licence Renewal Matter for Your Business?

By knowing your security provider is compliant with SIA licensing rules you will maintain trust with your customers and clients. When anyone hires a contract security service, they want to know that their staff are trained, vetted, and allowed to do their jobs. It ultimately matters to safeguard businesses and stakeholders and stay legally compliant.