SIA Licence Cost in 2026: Fee, Training and Total Cost

If you want to work in a licensed security role, such as security guard, door supervisor, CCTV operator or close protection operative, you need a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The cost of getting licensed has two parts: the training course that gives you the qualification for your licence, and the SIA's licence application fee. This guide sets out both, with the course prices Quantum Academy shows on its course pages.

The SIA licence application fee is £204 for one licence. GOV.UK says: "It costs £204 to apply for 1 licence" and "On 1 April 2026 the licence application fee changed to £204." You pay it to the SIA when you apply, and it is separate from the cost of your course.

All SIA licences last for 3 years, except a vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts for 1 year. Source: GOV.UK: Apply for an SIA licence.

The table shows the course for each licence at Quantum Academy, its guided learning hours (GLH), the price where the course page shows one, and the total with the £204 licence fee.

Course prices are the ones on our course pages on 31 October 2026. Where a course page does not show a price, contact us for the current price and dates.

Some SIA courses need a first aid certificate before you start. Our Security Guard Level 2 Award page sets out the SIA requirement: if you are taking security officer training for the first time, you must show a current First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate that is valid for at least 12 months from the course start date, and any first aid training must be completed and passed before the security training starts.

If you do not already hold one, our QNUK Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work is £100. On the Security Guard route that makes £1,200 + £100 + £204 = £1,504.

For the Close Protection Operative Level 3 Certificate, the course page asks for at least a First Aid at Work (3 day) qualification with no less than 12 months' validity before the course starts. Our QNUK Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work is £180. For other courses, ask us what first aid evidence you need before you book.

For security officers working on sites such as offices, retail parks, warehouses and construction sites. The qualification is the Security Guard Level 2 Award (38 GLH, qualification number 603/7301/5), aimed at learners aged 18 and over. At Quantum Academy it costs £1,200, so with the £204 fee the total is £1,404, or £1,504 if you also need the Emergency First Aid at Work course.

For door supervisors working at licensed premises and events. The qualification is the Door Supervisor Level 2 Award (52 GLH, qualification number 603/7302/7), aimed at learners aged 18 and over. Ask us for the course price; the total is that price plus the £204 licence fee.

For CCTV operators. The qualification is the CCTV Operator Level 2 Award (30 GLH, qualification number 603/7303/9), which our course page describes as the qualification you need to apply for an SIA Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence. Ask us for the course price; the total is that price plus £204.

For close protection operatives. The qualification is the Close Protection Operative Level 3 Certificate (194 GLH, qualification number 610/0725/0). You also need the First Aid at Work qualification described above. Ask us for the course price; the total is that price plus £204 and, if you need it, £180 for First Aid at Work.

This is the one SIA licence that lasts 1 year rather than 3 (GOV.UK). Quantum Academy does not run a course for it.

Your licence lasts 3 years, so plan the renewal before it runs out. The fee is set by the SIA and shown on GOV.UK: Apply for an SIA licence; at the time of writing it is £204 per application, so check the current fee when you apply.

Door supervisors renewing their licence after 1 April 2025 can take our Door Supervisor Level 2 Refresher (21 GLH). It is for learners who hold a full Level 2 Door Supervisor qualification issued on or after 1 April 2021, or an older qualification with a top-up qualification; anyone without either needs to take the full Level 2 course again.

Close protection operatives renewing after 1 April 2026 can take our Close Protection Operative Level 2 Refresher (34 GLH), for holders of a full Level 3 Close Protection qualification issued on or after 1 April 2022, or an older one with a top-up qualification. Ask us for the price of either refresher.

1. Pass the qualification for your licence. Each of our SIA course pages names the licence its qualification lets you apply for.
2. Apply to the SIA and pay the fee. The steps and the current fee are on GOV.UK: Apply for an SIA licence.
3. The SIA carries out its checks. Part of the process is a criminality check. If you are worried about a past conviction, our course pages recommend using the Criminal Record Indicator on the SIA website before you enrol, to see whether you are likely to get a licence.
4. Start work once your licence is granted, and keep it current by renewing before the 3 years run out.

Quantum Academy runs SIA courses at the Innovation Centre, Manor Royal, Crawley. See all our security training courses, or read how to become a security guard for the full route into the job.