SIA Licensing Explained: How to Verify Your Security Provider is Legitimate

When you hire a security company to protect your business, construction site, or event, how do you know the guards turning up are actually qualified to be there? The answer lies in SIA licensing – the legal requirement that separates legitimate security professionals from unlicensed individuals who could expose you to serious legal and safety risks.

This guide explains everything you need to know about SIA licensing, why it matters, and most importantly, how to verify that your security provider and their operatives are fully compliant.

What is the SIA?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the government body responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom. Established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the SIA sets the standards for who can work in security and ensures that only properly vetted and trained individuals hold licences.

The SIA’s core functions include licensing individuals working in specific security sectors, managing the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for security companies, and taking enforcement action against those who break the rules.

Why SIA Licensing Matters to You

Using unlicensed security staff isn’t just poor practice – it’s a criminal offence. Under Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, anyone who deploys unlicensed security operatives can face prosecution, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment.

Beyond the legal implications, there are practical risks:

Insurance implications: Your liability insurance may be invalidated if an incident occurs involving an unlicensed security operative.

Quality concerns: Unlicensed individuals haven’t passed the required training or background checks, meaning you have no assurance of their competence or character.

Reputational damage: If your security provider is found to be using unlicensed staff, the negative publicity can affect your business.

Contractual breaches: Many commercial contracts and tender requirements specify that security staff must hold valid SIA licences.

Types of SIA Licences

Different security roles require different licence types. Understanding these helps you verify that operatives hold the correct licence for the work they’re performing.

Each licence is valid for three years (except Vehicle Immobiliser licences, which are valid for one year) and must be renewed before expiry. An operative should only perform work covered by their specific licence type.

How to Verify an SIA Licence

The SIA maintains a public register of all licence holders, which you can search free of charge. This is the authoritative source for checking licence validity.

Step 1: Access the Register

Visit the official SIA Register of Licence Holders at: services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/rolh

Step 2: Search by Licence Number or Name

You can search using the 16-digit licence number (found on the front of the SIA badge) or by the operative’s name. If you have the licence number, this provides the most accurate results.

Step 3: Review the Results

The register will show you the licence status (valid, expired, or suspended), the licence sector (e.g., Security Guarding, Door Supervision), the expiry date, and whether the licence is front-line or non-front-line. If the licence shows as suspended or expired, that operative should not be performing licensable security work.

What to Look For on an SIA Badge

SIA licence badges must be worn visibly by security operatives while they’re working. When inspecting a badge, look for:

• The 16-digit licence number
• The operative’s photograph
• Their name
• The licence sector and role
• The expiry date
• The holographic SIA logo (a security feature to prevent counterfeiting)

Important: Even if a badge appears genuine, always verify it against the online register. Counterfeit badges do exist, and visual inspection alone is not sufficient.

Red Flags When Choosing a Security Provider

Be wary of any security company that:

• Is reluctant to provide licence numbers for their staff in advance
• Offers significantly lower prices than competitors (this may indicate they’re cutting corners on compliance)
• Cannot produce evidence of their own Approved Contractor Scheme status
• Sends operatives without visible SIA badges
• Dismisses your questions about licensing as unnecessary

A reputable security company will welcome questions about licensing and compliance – it demonstrates that you take security seriously and helps distinguish professional providers from those taking shortcuts.

The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)

Beyond individual licences, the SIA also operates the Approved Contractor Scheme for security companies. ACS status indicates that a company has been independently assessed and meets defined standards for service delivery, staff management, and business practices.

You can verify a company’s ACS status on the SIA website. While not mandatory, choosing an ACS-approved contractor provides additional assurance that you’re working with a professionally managed organisation.

Our Commitment at Advance Guarding

At Advance Guarding, every member of our security team holds a valid SIA licence appropriate to their role. We maintain rigorous records of all licence expiry dates and ensure renewals are completed well in advance.

We’re happy to provide licence details for any operative assigned to your site, and we encourage our clients to verify these independently. Transparency isn’t just good practice – it’s the foundation of the trust between a security provider and their clients.

If you have questions about our licensing, compliance, or how we can help protect your business, contact our team for an obligation-free discussion.

Last updated: January 2026. Information is current as of publication date. For the latest guidance, always refer to the official SIA website at gov.uk/sia.