SIA Door Supervisor Licence

What it is

The SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence is the legal permit you need to work in the UK's private security industry. The Door Supervisor licence is the one most people choose, because it also covers ordinary security-guard work. That gives you the widest range of jobs from a single licence: pubs, clubs, events, festivals, shopping centres, and static guarding.

Who it suits

This is one of the fastest legal ways onto the payroll in the UK, so it suits people who need to start earning soon and do not have UK qualifications. You need to be 18 or over, pass a basic criminal-record check, and have the right to work here. No prior experience or qualifications are required. The one real gate is English: you need to follow safety and law modules and pass a written test, so very weak English will struggle.

How you qualify

1. Take the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor, usually about 6 days in a classroom.
2. Hold an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate. Most door-supervisor courses now bundle a one-day first-aid session, so check before you book.
3. Pass the criminal-record (DBS) check.
4. Apply to the SIA for your licence and pay the application fee.

Cost and how long it takes

Training with first aid included is roughly £250–360. On top of that the SIA application fee is £204 (from April 2026). Most people are licensed within 3 to 6 weeks, with the wait mainly down to the background check and SIA processing. The licence lasts 3 years, after which you renew. Fees do change, so confirm the current SIA fee on the official site before you budget.

The English you need

You need around CEFR B1 English. Most training providers run a short English check on the first day, and if you are clearly below the level they may ask you to improve it first. If your English is very weak, the honest path is to take a free or low-cost ESOL course before you book the door-supervisor course. That is step zero, not a detour: it protects the money you spend on training.

The honest reality

A licence is not a job. It opens the door, but you still apply for shifts, usually through a security agency at first. Work is often evenings and weekends, and the early shifts can be quiet venues before you build a reputation. The badge belongs to you personally, which is a real advantage: you can move between agencies or register as self-employed without re-licensing. Watch out for course providers who promise a guaranteed job or hide the first-aid and SIA fees in the small print. A reputable provider is upfront about the full cost.

What you can earn

Pay is typically around £11–17 an hour, higher in London and for door work at busy late-night venues than for daytime static guarding. Overtime and event work (festivals, football, concerts) can lift your weekly total. Treat these as rough market figures, not a promise: your actual rate depends on the employer, the venue, and the hours you can take.

Your next step

Decide on a training provider that bundles the Level 2 award with the first-aid certificate, and confirm the total price includes the SIA fee. Then book your DBS check early, since it is usually the slowest part. You can find the licence requirements and apply on the official SIA site linked below.