Short answer: Not always. An event steward does not need an SIA licence if they only do stewarding work, such as checking tickets, directing people to seats, toilets and exits, managing queues and helping in an emergency. A steward does need an SIA licence when they guard against disorder, theft or unauthorised entry, for example refusing entry, searching people or removing someone from the event. At licensed premises that usually means a door supervisor licence, whether the steward is in-house or supplied by a contractor.
This guide explains where the line sits under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, which licence applies in which situation, the exemptions for volunteers and sports grounds, and what to check before you book stewards for an event.
Steward or security: why the difference matters
The SIA does not license job titles. It licenses activities. Calling someone a “steward” does not remove the need for a licence if their duties include security work, and calling someone “security” does not mean they need a licence if all they do is give directions.
For events, SIA licensing comes down to one question: is the person physically present to guard against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour? If the answer is yes, a licence is normally needed. If their job is safety, customer service and crowd flow, it is normally not.
Stewarding duties that do not need an SIA licence
GOV.UK guidance for event stewards says the following work is exempt from SIA licensing:
- checking that people have a ticket, wristband or invitation
- directing people to their seats, toilets, first aid points and exits
- managing queues and crowd flow at entrances, concourses and car parks
- giving information and helping visitors find their way
- helping with an evacuation in line with the event safety plan
Car park and traffic stewarding, information points and accessibility support are usually stewarding work too, as long as the steward is not there to guard property or keep people out.
When a steward does need an SIA licence
A licence is normally needed as soon as a steward’s duties include security work, such as:
- refusing entry to someone, or making someone leave the event
- searching people or their bags on entry
- guarding an area, a stage, a backstage zone or equipment against unauthorised access
- dealing with disorderly or aggressive behaviour
- supervising or managing people who do any of the above
Ticket checks are a good example of how close the line can be. Checking a ticket is exempt, but turning someone away because they do not have one, or because they are drunk or aggressive, is licensable.
Which SIA licence is needed?
| Situation | Who needs a licence | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Security work at licensed premises (alcohol sold or regulated entertainment such as live music) while open to the public | Contracted and in-house staff | Door supervisor |
| Security work at an event that is not licensed premises | Contracted staff only | Security guard |
| Agency stewards doing licensable work at a certificated sports ground | Contracted staff | Door supervisor |
| Pure stewarding: tickets, directions, queues, evacuation support | Nobody | Not needed |
Most festivals, concerts and outdoor events with a bar or live music run under a premises licence or a temporary event notice, so security staff there usually need a door supervisor licence. A security guard licence does not cover door supervision at licensed premises, but a door supervisor licence also covers security guarding work.
In-house stewards and contractors
For security guarding at premises that are not licensed, the SIA licence only applies to work done under a contract for services, for example a security company supplying staff to an event organiser. Staff employed directly by the organiser or venue for that work do not need a security guard licence.
Licensed premises are different. Door supervision at licensed premises needs a licence whether the person is supplied by a contractor or employed in-house. This is why many venues and festivals use licensed door supervisors for entry and searches even when the rest of the team are stewards.
Volunteers
Unpaid volunteers do not need an SIA licence. GOV.UK makes clear that unpaid means no reward of any kind, so a volunteer who receives payment in kind, such as a free festival ticket in return for working a shift, may no longer count as unpaid. If volunteers are doing security work, check the position before the event.
Stewards at sports grounds
In England and Wales, in-house stewards at a sports ground covered by a safety certificate are exempt from SIA licensing, even when they search spectators or eject people. The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) expects these stewards to have training and vetting equivalent to an SIA licence holder. The exemption has limits:
- it covers stewards employed by the ground, not agency stewards
- where a ground only has a regulated stand certificate, it covers the certificated stand only
- agency stewards doing licensable work at the ground need a door supervisor licence
What happens if you get it wrong
Doing licensable work without a licence is a criminal offence under section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, with a penalty of up to six months in prison, a fine, or both. Supplying unlicensed staff for licensable work is a separate offence under section 5, with up to five years in prison on indictment. Your licensing authority, safety advisory group and insurer may also ask how security roles are staffed, so the event plan should show which roles are stewards and which are licensed security.
How to plan stewards and security for your event
- List every role and its duties. Write down what each person at each position will actually do, not just their title.
- Mark the licensable duties. Any role that refuses entry, searches, guards an area or deals with disorder needs a licensed person.
- Check if the site is licensed premises. A premises licence or temporary event notice for alcohol or regulated entertainment changes which licence applies.
- Keep stewarding roles clear. Make sure stewards know where their role stops and when to call a licensed colleague or supervisor.
- Check licences before the day. Ask your supplier for each person’s SIA licence and check it on the SIA register of licence holders. Our guide explains how to check SIA licences step by step.
Event stewards from FCS Group
FCS Group supplies trained, uniformed event stewards for events, venues and sports grounds across the UK and Ireland. Our stewards handle ticket checks, entry and exit points, queues, car parks and visitor help, and are briefed on your event plan before the doors open. All our security guards are fully SIA licensed and trained. Tell us what each role involves and we will help you work out which positions need stewards.
Frequently asked questions
Do event stewards need an SIA licence?
Not if they only do stewarding work such as ticket checks, directions, queue management and evacuation support. They need a licence if they refuse entry, search people, guard an area or deal with disorder.
Can a steward check tickets without an SIA licence?
Yes. Checking that someone has a ticket or invitation is exempt. Refusing entry to someone or asking them to leave is licensable work.
Can a steward search bags without an SIA licence?
Not at most events. Searching people or their bags on entry is security work and needs an SIA licence, unless the steward is an in-house steward at a certificated sports ground covered by the exemption.
Do volunteer stewards need an SIA licence?
No, as long as they are genuinely unpaid. Any reward, benefit or payment in kind, such as a free ticket, can mean they are no longer treated as volunteers.
Do stewards at football grounds need an SIA licence?
In-house stewards at a sports ground with a safety certificate in England and Wales are exempt, but must have equivalent training and vetting. Agency stewards doing searches or ejections need a door supervisor licence.
What is the difference between a steward and a door supervisor?
A steward looks after safety, crowd flow and customer service. A door supervisor holds an SIA licence and can carry out security work at licensed premises, such as searches and refusing entry.
Summary
Event stewards do not need an SIA licence for ticket checks, directions, queues and evacuation support. As soon as a role includes refusing entry, searching, guarding an area or dealing with disorder, a licensed person is needed, and at licensed premises that means a door supervisor licence for in-house and contracted staff alike. Plan each role by its duties, not its title, and get a free quote from FCS Group for trained event stewards.
