If you employ door supervisors or security officers, directly or through a contractor, you need to be sure they are properly licensed. Here is a round-up of recent changes from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and a simple checklist for venue operators.
What has changed
Licence fee back to £204
From 1 April 2026 the SIA licence application fee is £204 for any sector, for both new applications and renewals. Since 2023 applicants had paid £184 because of a temporary £20 rebate funded from SIA reserves. The rebate has now ended, so the cost has returned to the statutory fee. The statutory fee itself has not increased.
Refresher training for renewals
- Door supervisors and security guards renewing their licence have needed to complete refresher training since 1 April 2025, normally alongside an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or an accepted equivalent.
- Close protection operatives need refresher training to renew from 1 April 2026, normally with a First Aid at Work qualification or an accepted equivalent.
Licence holders can apply to renew up to four months before their licence expires, so it is worth planning ahead for training.
A new role for the SIA
The SIA will also regulate Martyn's Law, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. Read our Martyn's Law guide for what that means for venues.
Checklist for venue operators
- Check every licence on the SIA register. The public register is free to search online.
- Check the sector. Door supervision at licensed premises needs a Door Supervisor licence, not just a Security Guard licence.
- Check expiry dates. A licence that lapses mid-season leaves you exposed.
- Check licences are worn. Officers should display their licence while working.
- Ask your contractor how they check. A good provider will verify licences before deployment and keep checking.
How we check licences
At A.P.D Security Solutions every officer's licence is checked against the SIA register and re-checked automatically every day, with alerts well before expiry. You can read more about how we record and report every shift.
Need licensed officers? See our door supervision service or request a free quote.