Security Guard vs Door Supervisor vs Close Protection
Understand the practical and licensing differences between security guards, door supervisors and close-protection operatives in the UK.
Read the guideUK security licensing guide
What Is an SIA Licence and Why Does It Matter?
An SIA licence is the Security Industry Authority’s permission for an individual to perform specified regulated private-security work in the UK. It is important—but it is not a complete quality guarantee.
- Understand which licence matches which security activity
- Check licence type and status on the official register
- Know what licensing does not tell you about a provider
The Security Industry Authority regulates the UK private security industry. It licenses individuals who carry out certain activities, including security guarding, door supervision, close protection and public-space surveillance. Clients should check that the person assigned to regulated work holds the right, current licence for the duties—not merely that they possess an SIA card. Use the SIA’s role-specific guidance for the activity being performed.
What an SIA licence shows
For a front-line licence, the SIA assesses an application against its licensing criteria. Depending on the role, applicants need an approved licence-linked qualification and must satisfy identity, age, right-to-work and criminal-record requirements. A licence also identifies the regulated activities the holder may perform.
- The holder was licensed for the activity shown when the SIA made its decision.
- The public register can show the licence sector, role, expiry date and current status.
- The holder has met the applicable entry or renewal requirements for that licence.
The SIA’s application guidance explains the current process and requirements. Rules can change, so employers, buyers and operatives should use the live official guidance rather than relying on an old checklist.
What an SIA licence does not prove
A licence is a regulatory requirement for relevant work, not a promise that an individual or supplier is the right choice for every assignment.
- It does not guarantee service quality, judgement or conduct on a future assignment.
- It does not show that the operative has recent experience in your particular environment.
- It does not replace a site brief, risk assessment, supervision or performance management.
- It does not by itself prove that a company has adequate insurance, policies, references or operational capacity.
- It does not mean the supplying company belongs to the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme; company approval is separate from individual licensing.
Common front-line licences
Security guarding
A security-guard licence covers specified guarding activities at premises and property. It does not authorise door-supervision work at licensed premises.
Door supervision
A door-supervisor licence is used for guarding licensed premises against matters such as unauthorised access or disorder. It also permits security-guarding activity. The duties and setting determine what is required.
Close protection
A close-protection licence is required when guarding people against physical assault or injury. It also permits door-supervision and security-guarding activity, but a licence alone does not demonstrate that the holder is suitable for a particular protective assignment.
See our role comparison for a buyer-focused explanation of security guards, door supervisors and close-protection operatives.
Refresher training at renewal: the current position
Refresher training became mandatory for security-guard and door-supervisor licence renewals on 1 April 2025. It became mandatory for close-protection licence renewals on 1 April 2026. The SIA’s renewal guidance also sets out the applicable first-aid prerequisite and options for switching certain licence types at renewal.
How a client should check an SIA licence
- Define the duties and identify which licence they require.
- Search the official SIA register using the 16-digit licence number or the permitted personal details.
- Confirm the person’s identity matches the register result.
- Check the licence sector, role, status and expiry date.
- Record that the check was completed in line with your organisation’s data-handling rules.
- Recheck before a later deployment if the licence may have expired or its status may have changed.
- Assess role-specific experience, communication, supervision and the provider’s operational plan separately.
When commissioning a wider service, compare the proposed roles against the actual work and ask how changes, absence and supervision will be managed. Our services overview explains the different service scopes available.
This licensing guide is part of the practical content covered in our website update, which explains how the move to Astro created clearer routes between role comparisons, service information and enquiry guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Does every person working in security need an SIA licence?
No. Whether a licence is required depends on the activity, setting and employment arrangement. Use the SIA’s role-specific guidance for the actual duties. Do not treat a job title as the legal test.
Is an SIA licence valid throughout the UK?
The SIA regulates the private security industry across the United Kingdom. The licence must still cover the work being performed, and certain activities or local operating conditions can involve additional rules.
Can a security guard work as a door supervisor?
A security-guard licence does not authorise door-supervision activity at licensed premises. A door-supervisor licence permits both door-supervision and security-guarding activity.
Does a close-protection licence make someone a secure chauffeur?
Not by itself. Close-protection licensing covers guarding people against assault or injury. Driving competence, route planning, vehicle arrangements, discretion and assignment-specific experience must be assessed separately. Read our secure chauffeur comparison for the service distinction.
How can I verify an operative’s licence?
Use the official SIA register and check the person, licence sector, role, expiry and status against the assignment. Ask the supplier to resolve any mismatch before the person starts regulated work.
Sources and further reading
- Security Industry Authority: About us
- SIA: Find out if you need an SIA licence
- GOV.UK: Check security staff have a licence to work
- SIA: Apply for an SIA licence
- SIA: Renew your SIA licence
- SIA: Learn about the Approved Contractor Scheme
- SIA: Refresher training for security guard and door supervisor renewals
- SIA: Refresher training for close protection renewals
Match the licence, person and plan to the assignment
Tell us the site, operating hours and duties you need covered. We can discuss the appropriate service scope and the information required for a proposal.