How to Become a Security Guard in the UK: Training and Licensing Guide

Security guards protect buildings, sites and the people in them. In the UK the work is regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA): to work as a security guard you need an SIA licence, and to apply for one you need the right qualification. This guide covers each step, what the training involves at Quantum Academy in Crawley, what it costs and what the job is like day to day.

Our Security Guard Level 2 Award page sets out who the qualification is for:

• Age: it is aimed at learners aged 18 and over.
• English: assessment is in English and/or Welsh, and as a guide learners should have language skills at least equal to a B1 qualification on the Home Office's list of recognised English tests, an ESOL qualification at Level 1, or Functional Skills Level 1 in English (the page lists the full set of equivalents).
• Criminality check: applying for an SIA licence includes a criminality check. If you have concerns, use the Criminal Record Indicator on the SIA website before you enrol, to see whether you are likely to get a licence.

Security officers often need to call the emergency services or talk people out of conflict, so being able to communicate clearly matters from day one.

The licence you need depends on the work you want to do:

• Security Guard licence: for security officers on sites such as offices, retail parks, warehouses and construction sites. Course: Security Guard Level 2 Award (38 GLH).
• Door Supervisor licence: for door supervisors at licensed premises and events. Course: Door Supervisor Level 2 Award (52 GLH).
• Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence: for CCTV operators. Course: CCTV Operator Level 2 Award (30 GLH).

Not sure which suits you? Talk to us about the roles you are aiming for before you book.

If you are taking security officer training for the first time, the SIA requires a current First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate, valid for at least 12 months from the course start date, and the first aid training must be passed before the security training starts. Our QNUK Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (6 GLH, £100) meets this, and you can take it at the same Crawley centre.

The Security Guard Level 2 Award provides the skills, knowledge and understanding for those working, or wanting to work, as a security officer who needs an SIA licence. At Quantum Academy it has 38 guided learning hours, a total qualification time of 42 hours and costs £1,200.

With your qualification, you apply to the SIA. GOV.UK says "It costs £204 to apply for 1 licence"; the fee changed to £204 on 1 April 2026. Our guide to what an SIA licence costs sets out the fee, the training and the total for each licence type.

Once your licence is granted you can start work. All SIA licences last for 3 years, except a vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts for 1 year (GOV.UK: Apply for an SIA licence). Plan your renewal before the 3 years run out; door supervisors renewing after 1 April 2025 can take our Door Supervisor Level 2 Refresher.

Guided learning hours are the time you spend learning with your trainer; total qualification time adds the other learning and assessment the qualification expects. Upcoming dates are on each course page.

The work depends on the site and the role, but a security officer's shift usually includes some of these:

• Taking a handover briefing from the officer going off shift
• Patrolling inside and outside the premises and checking doors, windows and gates
• Controlling access: checking identification, signing visitors in and managing deliveries
• Watching CCTV and access control systems
• Dealing with incidents calmly and calling the emergency services when needed
• Writing incident reports and keeping the site log up to date
• Being a visible presence that deters crime

Roles range from static site security and reception or front-of-house work to retail, construction sites and events. Across all of them, the constants are vigilance, good communication and staying calm under pressure. Security work is mostly about prevention and observation, not confrontation.

An SIA licence is the starting point. Beyond it, employers tend to value:

• Reliability: clients depend on officers arriving on time for every shift.
• Customer service: being approachable and polite while staying firm.
• Attention to detail: noticing what is out of place and writing clear, accurate reports.
• Fitness: enough to patrol on foot for long periods.
• Extra qualifications: such as the QNUK Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work or fire safety and fire marshal training.
• A driving licence: useful for roles that cover more than one site.

Many officers move on to supervisor and then manager roles, taking responsibility for a team, a site or several sites. Others specialise:

• CCTV operations: with the CCTV Operator Level 2 Award and a Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence.
• Door supervision: with the Door Supervisor Level 2 Award.
• Close protection: with the Close Protection Operative Level 3 Certificate (194 GLH), which also needs a First Aid at Work qualification with at least 12 months' validity before the course starts.

Quantum Academy runs SIA and first aid courses at the Innovation Centre, Manor Royal, Crawley. Book the Emergency First Aid at Work course and the Security Guard Level 2 Award, or see all our security training courses.