SIA licences explained for venue owners — which licence does the job need?
Door supervisor, security guard, close protection, CCTV: they are different licences, and the wrong one on your door is a breach. A plain guide.
12 August 2026 · LLS Security
The four licences you'll meet
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) issues licences by role. The ones a venue or event will run into:
| Licence | Lets the holder… | Doesn't cover |
|---|---|---|
| Door Supervisor (DS) | Work at licensed premises: entry control, searches, refusals, ejections; also covers security guarding | Close protection, CCTV |
| Security Guard (SG) | Guard premises, property and people at *non*-licensed sites: offices, sites, shops, car parks | Working the door of a licensed venue |
| Close Protection (CP) | Protect individuals; also covers DS and SG roles | CCTV |
| Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) | Operate CCTV to monitor the public | Any front-line role |
Why it matters to you
If your bar has a licence condition requiring door supervisors, an officer with only a Security Guard licence on your door is a breach — theirs and, in practice, yours. The licence is on the front of the card and the number can be checked on the SIA's public register at any time.
Non-front-line and the company itself
There is also a non-front-line licence for people who manage or direct licensed staff without doing the work themselves. Separately, the SIA runs a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for companies; it's a quality mark, not a requirement, and many good small companies aren't in it. Ask a company whether they're ACS-approved and, more usefully, ask to see the licences of the officers they'll send.
What to ask any security company
- Which licence will each officer on my job hold?
- Can I see the licence numbers before the first shift?
- What happens if an officer's licence expires mid-contract?
We answer all three on your Cover Board: each officer's licence type, number and expiry, and a flag 60 days before any licence runs out.
