Short answer: Ask for the licence number of every guard who will work on your site and check each one on the free SIA register of licence holders. Then ask the company how it vets and trains its staff. You must check before you hire, because paying someone to do licensable security work without the right licence is an offence. This guide shows what to ask for, how to run the check and what to do if something does not match.
The checks take a few minutes per person and apply whether you use a large national supplier or a small local firm.
Why you must check SIA licences
Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, security guarding work done under a contract for services needs an SIA licence. GOV.UK states that you must check someone holds the correct security licence before hiring them for private security work, and that paying an unlicensed person to do it can lead to a fine or prison.
For a buyer this means the risk is shared. If a supplier puts an unlicensed guard on your site, your business can be pulled into the problem as well, and your insurer or client may ask how you checked. Our guide to SIA-licensed security guards explains which roles need a licence.
What an SIA licence looks like
Most front line licences are a plastic photocard that the officer must wear when working. A key holding licence is different and comes as a letter, and so do licences for managers and supervisors, which are non-front line. Covert work, such as a store detective, does not require the card to be displayed, so a missing card is not always a sign that someone has no licence.
- the officer’s photo, so you can check it is the same person
- the licence sector, for example security guard or door supervisor
- the licence number
- the expiry date
How to check a licence on the SIA register
- Get the details in advance. Ask your supplier for each guard’s name and 16-digit licence number before the first shift.
- Open the SIA register of licence holders. It is free to use and is linked from the GOV.UK page for checking a private security licence.
- Search by licence number. You can also search by surname together with other details such as date of birth and role, but the number is the quickest route.
- Check the role. The register shows whether the person holds a licence for the specific role, such as security guard, door supervisor, key holder or CCTV operator. A door supervisor licence is not the same as a key holding licence.
- Check the status and expiry. Make sure the licence is active, and diary the expiry date so it does not lapse during your contract.
- Match the person on site. On the first shift, compare the officer and their photocard with the details you checked.
Which licence does the role need?
| Role on your site | Licence to look for |
|---|---|
| Static guard, patrol officer, concierge who controls access | Security guard |
| Door supervision at licensed premises | Door supervisor |
| Holding keys for a client | Key holding |
| Monitoring CCTV in public spaces | CCTV (public space surveillance) |
| Event stewards who only check tickets and direct people | No licence needed for that stewarding work |
Event work is where the line is least clear. Our guide on whether event stewards need an SIA licence explains which duties tip a steward into licensable work.
Checking the company, not just the guards
The SIA also runs the Approved Contractor Scheme, a voluntary quality scheme that approves companies rather than individuals. Approval is pass or fail and covers specific activities. Only approved contractors may claim the status or use the ACS mark, and a false claim is a criminal offence. You can check a company on the SIA register of approved contractors.
Because the scheme is voluntary, a company that is not on the register is not breaking the law. What matters is that every officer it supplies holds a valid licence for the work, and that the company is open about how it vets, trains and supervises them. Ask for those details in writing and compare suppliers on the answers.
Questions to ask a security supplier
- Will you give us each officer’s name and licence number before the first shift?
- What happens if a guard’s licence expires or is revoked during the contract?
- Are the officers employed directly or supplied through another agency?
- What training do officers receive beyond the licence, and how is it recorded?
- How do you cover sickness and holidays, and will replacement guards also be licensed?
- How do officers report incidents, and what will we receive after each shift?
- What insurance do you hold?
Do not accept a photocopy or a photo of a card as the only proof. Always look the licence up yourself.
What to do if a licence does not check out
- Do not let the officer start the shift on your site.
- Ask the supplier to explain in writing and to send a replacement whose licence you can verify.
- Record what you found and the date. If the supplier cannot give a clear answer, consider ending the contract.
- You can report suspected unlicensed working or fake licences to the SIA.
Security guards from FCS Group
FCS Group supplies security guards to offices, warehouses, construction sites and other commercial sites across the UK and Ireland. All our security guards are fully SIA licensed and trained. If you are comparing suppliers on price as well, see our security guard cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a security guard has an SIA licence?
Ask for the guard’s 16-digit licence number and search for it on the free SIA register of licence holders. Check that the role matches the work and that the licence is active.
Is it a legal requirement to check an SIA licence?
GOV.UK says you must check that someone has the correct licence before hiring them for private security work. Paying an unlicensed person for licensable work can lead to a fine or prison.
What details do I need to search the SIA register?
You need the person’s 16-digit licence number, or their surname plus other details such as date of birth and security role.
What does an SIA licence card look like?
Most front line licences are a plastic photocard that must be worn while working. Key holding licences are issued as a letter, as are licences for managers and supervisors.
Does a security company need to be SIA approved?
No. The Approved Contractor Scheme is voluntary. What the law requires is that each officer doing licensable work holds the right licence. Ask any supplier how it checks and records this.
What should I do if a guard’s licence has expired?
Do not allow them to work on your site. Ask the supplier for a replacement guard with a licence you can verify, and keep a record of what happened.
Summary
Check every guard on the SIA register before the first shift, confirm the role and expiry, and ask the supplier how it vets, trains and replaces staff. Treat the Approved Contractor Scheme as a useful extra, not a legal requirement. If you would like to see licence numbers up front and compare cover, get a free quote from FCS Group.
