NEW CHANGES IN YEAR 2021 FOR
DOOR SUPERVISOR, SECURITY OFFICER AND TOP-UP TRAINING
SIA has changed the front-line security qualification training that will be implemented from April and October 2021.
Reasons for changes:
The main purpose of these changes is to make sure that security operatives can:
- keep the public safe
- follow new working practices
- understand recent changes to the law
- make the best use of new technology
Mandatory First Aid included
From 1 April 2021, all the applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence must have done Emergency First aid at work training or equivalent. The certificate must be valid at least one year from the course start date or if you are applying for a license for the first time.
You will need to do this if either of the following applies:
- you are applying for a licence for the first time
- it has been longer than 3 years since you last held a licence for that activity
From 1 October 2021, you will also need to do this if you are renewing your licence.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
What do we mean by “equivalent”?
SIA will accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
How long will the new training take?
Please see the table below.
Qualifications
With self-study
Without self-study
Door Supervision
44 hours over 6 days
52 hours over 7 days
Security Guarding
30 hours over 4 days
38 hours over 5 days
Public space surveillance (CCTV)
22 hours over 3 days
30 hours over 4 days
Close Protection (unchanged)
139.5 hours over 12 days
140 hours over 12 days
Cash and Valuables in Transit
24 hours over 4 days
27 hours over 4 days
Top-up Training – New requirement
From 1 October 2021, all learners must have one of the following before they can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence:
- one of the new qualifications introduced on 1 April
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications submitted on or after 1 October, including renewals. If you submit your application before this date, you will not need to take additional training.
How long will it take to do the top-up training?
It depends on which licence you want to apply for:
- Door supervisor = 2 days
- Security guard = 1.5 days
In both cases, you will need to complete first aid training (Emergency First at Work or equivalent) before you take the top-up training.
The FIRST-AID training is 1 day course.
How will the top-up training be assessed?
The security guard top-up training will be assessed by an exam. The door supervisor top-up training will be assessed by 2 exams (door supervisor knowledge and physical intervention knowledge) plus a practical physical intervention assessment.
What is included in the top-up training?
An Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) must be completed before taking the top-up training.
Door supervisors:
- use of equipment
- updated terror threat awareness
- physical intervention skills refresher training (knowledge and practical)
- knowledge around critical incidents e.g. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses
Security guards:
- knowledge of physical intervention
- updated terror threat awareness
- knowledge around critical incidents e.g. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses
Other Changes
More relevant course material
SIA has moved training that is critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:
- terror threat awareness
- dealing with emergencies
They have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- the close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
- the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body-worn video recorders and breathalysers
- the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
More practical assessments
There is an increased number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
For further information, please visit the link below:
• Changes to the training you need for a SIA licence
• Changes to SIA licence training your questions answered
NEW CHANGES IN YEAR 2021 FOR
DOOR SUPERVISOR, SECURITY OFFICER AND TOP-UP TRAINING
SIA has changed the front-line security qualification training that will be implemented from April and October 2021.
Reasons for changes:
The main purpose of these changes is to make sure that security operatives can:
- keep the public safe
- follow new working practices
- understand recent changes to the law
- make the best use of new technology
Mandatory First Aid included
From 1 April 2021, all the applicants for a door supervisor or security guard licence must have done Emergency First aid at work training or equivalent. The certificate must be valid at least one year from the course start date or if you are applying for a license for the first time.
You will need to do this if either of the following applies:
- you are applying for a licence for the first time
- it has been longer than 3 years since you last held a licence for that activity
From 1 October 2021, you will also need to do this if you are renewing your licence.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
What do we mean by “equivalent”?
SIA will accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Some examples are:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
How long will the new training take?
Please see the table below.
| Qualifications | With self-study | Without self-study |
| Door Supervision | 44 hours over 6 days | 52 hours over 7 days |
| Security Guarding | 30 hours over 4 days | 38 hours over 5 days |
| Public space surveillance (CCTV) | 22 hours over 3 days | 30 hours over 4 days |
| Close Protection (unchanged) | 139.5 hours over 12 days | 140 hours over 12 days |
| Cash and Valuables in Transit | 24 hours over 4 days | 27 hours over 4 days |
Top-up Training – New requirement
From 1 October 2021, all learners must have one of the following before they can apply for a door supervisor or security guard licence:
- one of the new qualifications introduced on 1 April
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications submitted on or after 1 October, including renewals. If you submit your application before this date, you will not need to take additional training.
How long will it take to do the top-up training?
It depends on which licence you want to apply for:
- Door supervisor = 2 days
- Security guard = 1.5 days
In both cases, you will need to complete first aid training (Emergency First at Work or equivalent) before you take the top-up training.
The FIRST-AID training is 1 day course.
How will the top-up training be assessed?
The security guard top-up training will be assessed by an exam. The door supervisor top-up training will be assessed by 2 exams (door supervisor knowledge and physical intervention knowledge) plus a practical physical intervention assessment.
What is included in the top-up training?
An Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) must be completed before taking the top-up training.
Door supervisors:
- use of equipment
- updated terror threat awareness
- physical intervention skills refresher training (knowledge and practical)
- knowledge around critical incidents e.g. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses
Security guards:
- knowledge of physical intervention
- updated terror threat awareness
- knowledge around critical incidents e.g. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses
Other Changes
More relevant course material
SIA has moved training that is critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:
- terror threat awareness
- dealing with emergencies
They have introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- the close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
- the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body-worn video recorders and breathalysers
- the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- the security guarding course includes new material covering personal safety
More practical assessments
There is an increased number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
For further information, please visit the link below:
• Changes to the training you need for a SIA licence
• Changes to SIA licence training your questions answered