If you’re planning to work as a door supervisor, security guard, or CCTV operator in the UK, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how long does an SIA licence actually last? It’s a fair question, because getting licensed takes time, money, and effort, and nobody wants to be caught out by a surprise expiry date. This guide breaks down exactly how long your SIA licence stays valid, what happens as it approaches expiry, and what the 2026 renewal rules mean for you. If you’re just starting out, a recognised Door Supervisor Course in London is the first step toward getting licensed.

The Short Answer: Three Years

Every SIA licence, regardless of the sector it covers, is valid for three years from the date it is issued. This applies whether you hold a Door Supervisor licence, Security Guard licence, CCTV Operator licence, or Close Protection licence. There is no way to extend this period once your card has been issued; the only route to continued legal working is a formal renewal before the expiry date printed on your licence.

Three years might sound like a long time when you first get licensed, but it passes quickly once you’re working full-time shifts. Many licence holders miss the early renewal window simply because they weren’t tracking the date, so it’s worth marking your expiry date somewhere visible as soon as your card arrives.

When Can You Renew Your SIA Licence?

The SIA allows you to apply for renewal up to four months before your current licence expires. This is intentional. Renewal applications go through the same identity and criminal record checks as a first-time application, and processing can take several weeks, so starting early gives you breathing room.

A key point many applicants don’t realise: renewing early doesn’t cost you anything in terms of validity. The SIA adds any unused time from your old licence onto the new one, so your new three-year period begins from the old expiry date, not from the day you renew. There is genuinely no downside to renewing as soon as the four-month window opens.

The 2026 Renewal Requirement: Mandatory Top-Up Training

From 1 April 2025, the SIA introduced a significant change for Door Supervisors and Security Guards: you must now complete top-up refresher training before you can renew your licence. Close Protection Operatives became subject to the same requirement from 1 April 2026. This isn’t optional paperwork; it’s a mandatory prerequisite that sits alongside the standard renewal application.

The refresher training refreshes your conflict management, physical intervention, and legal knowledge to current standards. Course length varies by role, with Close Protection refreshers typically running three to five days, while Door Supervisor and Security Guard refreshers are shorter. Booking this well within your four-month renewal window avoids a last-minute scramble.

First Aid Certification: A Renewal Prerequisite

Before you can even book your refresher training, you need a valid first aid certificate. Door Supervisors and Security Guards require an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate, or an accepted equivalent, with at least 12 months of validity remaining when the refresher course starts. Close Protection Operatives need a Level 3 First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.

If your existing first aid certificate is due to expire soon, renew it first. Turning up to book your refresher training with an out-of-date or nearly-expired first aid certificate is one of the most common causes of renewal delays.

How Long Does Your Training Certificate Last Before You Apply?

It’s worth distinguishing between licence validity and certificate validity. Once you complete an SIA-approved training course, such as a Door Supervisor Course in London, your training certificate is generally valid for two years. This is the window within which you must apply to the SIA for your actual licence. If you let this window close without applying, your certificate is no longer accepted and you’ll need to retrain.

This matters for planning purposes: don’t complete your course months or years before you’re ready to apply. Time your training so it lines up with when you actually intend to start working, keeping your certificate comfortably inside its valid window.

What Does Renewal Cost?

The SIA licence fee, whether for a first application or a renewal, currently stands at £204 (some sources list £184 depending on the licence type and payment route, so always confirm the exact figure on the official SIA portal before paying). This fee is non-refundable, which is another reason to make sure your first aid certificate, refresher training, and documentation are all in order before you submit.

On top of the licence fee, budget for the refresher training course itself and, if needed, a first aid renewal. Providers who deliver a combined Door Supervisor Course in London alongside refresher and first aid options can often save you time by bundling these requirements into one visit.

Can You Keep Working While Your Renewal Is Being Processed?

If you apply for renewal before your current licence expires, and the SIA hasn’t made a decision by the expiry date, you’re generally permitted to keep working under specific conditions set out by the SIA, provided your application was submitted correctly and on time. This is exactly why applying within the four-month window, rather than at the last minute, matters so much: it builds in a buffer against processing delays.

If your licence lapses before you’ve even submitted a renewal application, this protection doesn’t apply. Working without a valid licence, or relying on an assumption that a renewal is “in progress” when it hasn’t actually been submitted, is a legal offence with serious penalties.

What Happens If Your Licence Lapses?

If your three-year licence expires and you haven’t renewed it, you cannot legally carry out licensable security work. Depending on how long it’s been since expiry, you may need to reapply as though you were a brand-new applicant, including retraining from scratch if your original certificate has also expired. This is far more costly and time-consuming than renewing on time, so it’s genuinely worth setting calendar reminders well ahead of your expiry date.

Practical Tips to Avoid Expiry Problems

• Set a reminder for five months before your expiry date, giving yourself a month to organise first aid before the four-month renewal window opens.
• Check your EFAW or first aid certificate expiry now, not when you’re ready to book your refresher training.
• Keep digital copies of your original training certificate, first aid certificate, and licence card together in one folder.
• Book your refresher training provider early, as availability tightens close to renewal deadlines.
• Confirm the current licence fee on the official SIA website before submitting payment, as fees can change.

Ready to get licensed? Explore the Door Supervisor Course in London and start your career in door supervision today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is an SIA licence valid for?

An SIA licence is valid for three years from its date of issue, regardless of the sector (Door Supervisor, Security Guard, CCTV Operator, or Close Protection).

2. When can I renew my SIA licence?

You can apply to renew up to four months before your current licence expires. Renewing early doesn’t cost you any validity, since unused time from your old licence carries over.

3. Do I need to retrain to renew my SIA licence?

Yes. Since 1 April 2025, Door Supervisors and Security Guards must complete mandatory top-up refresher training before renewing. Close Protection Operatives joined this requirement from 1 April 2026.

4. What first aid certificate do I need to renew my licence?

Door Supervisors and Security Guards need a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate with at least 12 months remaining. Close Protection Operatives need a Level 3 First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.

5. How long is my SIA training certificate valid before I apply for a licence?

Your initial training certificate is generally valid for two years, meaning you must submit your licence application within that window or you’ll need to retrain.

6. How much does it cost to renew an SIA licence?

The standard SIA licence fee is £204, though you should always verify the current figure on the official SIA portal, as it can vary by licence type and change over time.

7. Can I keep working if my renewal hasn’t been approved yet?

If you submitted your renewal application before your licence expired, you can generally continue working while it’s processed. If you let your licence lapse before applying, this protection does not apply.

8. What happens if my SIA licence expires completely?

You can no longer legally carry out licensable security work. Depending on how long it’s lapsed, you may need to reapply as a new applicant, including retraining if your certificate has also expired.

9. Does the SIA notify me before my licence expires?

The SIA typically contacts licence holders when around four months remain, but it’s safer to track your own expiry date rather than rely solely on a reminder arriving.

10. Where can I start training for an SIA Door Supervisor licence?

A recognised Door Supervisor Course in London is the standard starting point, covering conflict management, physical intervention, and the legal knowledge required before you apply for your licence.