SIA launches major review of security licence qualifications

This review process is wide in scope. It will examine the content of qualifications and consider:

*what new core content is required

*what changes are required in relation to safety-critical skills such as physical intervention and searching

*updates to counter-terrorism content

*how to meet emerging issues like dealing with social media auditors and using new technologies and equipment

*how to make sure existing content remains as comprehensive as possible, particularly so on issues like spiking awareness and specialist searching techniques such as searching wheelchairs

*whether there is the right amount of content in key specialist areas (eg close protection)

*how English language skills are tested and demonstrated

*how First Aid skills are demonstrated

This review process will work with partners to examine other aspects of the qualifications and training delivery, including:

*technological innovation to make sure examinations are much less vulnerable to those who might want to cheat

*new quality requirements of training providers

*a review of the occupational expertise and qualifications of trainers required to deliver licence-linked qualifications

The new standards and requirements will ensure security operatives have the essential safety-critical skills and knowledge in order to keep themselves and members of the public safe. It’s vital the qualifications keep pace with a continually complex, challenging and changing modern protective security landscape. The new standards must also provide the foundations to support those who contract or employ security to fulfil their responsibilities to provide continuous and role-specific on-the-job training.

‘Back to basics’ review

Michelle Russell, CEO at the SIA, stated: “Every five years we conduct a ‘back to basics’ style review of the content of the licence qualifications, how they’re assessed and also how they’re carried out. These reviews primarily focus on identifying what new content is required. However, this time we are doing things a little differently.”

On that note, Russell continued: “As well as reviewing content, I’ve asked for a fundamental appraisal of how the rules around the assessment and invigilation of examinations and requirements can be tightened. This also includes the delivery of the training courses supporting the qualifications in order to ensure public confidence in them.”

Further, Russell noted: “It’s essential that members of the public, security personnel, employers and the SIA have trust and confidence that those with an SIA licence have been properly tested on the basic skills and knowledge they need to do the job. As the demands on private security operatives keep changing, their skills and knowledge need to keep pace. This review represents a strategic reset and comes at an important time for the security industry.”

In conclusion, Russell observed: “All ideas are on the table. The outcome of this review must ensure the new content and standards set are fit-for-purpose and that the assessment arrangements are strengthened to reduce the risk of training malpractice. Public confidence in the investment in skills and competency of those awarded qualifications must be strong.”

Industry engagement 

The review will be informed by extensive engagement with security industry professionals, front line officers, supervisors, leaders and employers as well as training providers. Specialist expert Working Groups involving security and skills professionals with real-world experience will review each course, gather their views and make proposals to ensure they remain current and effective.

Tim Archer, the SIA’s director of licensing and standards whose team is leading the review, explained: “At the heart of this review is ensuring the security operatives, who have a difficult and important job to do, are supported by the safety-critical skills and knowledge they learn when undertaking the licence-linked qualification.”

Archer continued: “We want this to be a review informed by extensive engagement and feedback from security professionals, employers, qualification awarding bodies and the many good trainers who deliver courses. We are putting the expertise of those specialists and security professionals at the heart of developing the new standards and requirements. These are the people who know and understand the daily challenges of the job and what skills and knowledge are needed to perform security roles effectively and safely.”

Archer went on to state: “To ensure the broadest possible involvement and feedback into the new requirements, we will be carrying out early engagement before the proposed changes are scoped out for a formal public consultation.”

Expected timelines 

Given the extent of the review and the significance of the expected changes, the SIA estimates that it will take 18 months end-to-end to carry out and implement the findings of this review. That includes time to properly conduct informal engagement and formal public consultations and allow a sufficient period for the private sector qualifications and training bodies to make the changes.

Key milestones include the following:

*November 2025 to January 2026: a series of engagement meetings and consultation exercises including surveys and online webinars to seek views on qualifications content, methods of assessment, training needs and industry requirements

*early spring 2026: public consultation on draft qualification specifications and other significant changes

*summer 2026: publication of final qualification specifications

*autumn 2026 to spring 2027: training and security sectors design the training courses and prepare for the changes

*spring 2027: the new qualifications and assessment arrangements go live and become mandatory

Webinar series

Industry and other stakeholders wishing to learn more about the review and engage can take part in a series of webinars:

*Friday 21 November 2025 at 12.00 noon (aimed at the security industry and those taking qualifications)

*Monday 24 November 2025 at 3.30 pm (aimed at the security industry and those taking qualifications)

*Friday 28 November 2025 at 12.00 noon (aimed at training providers, trainers and others involved in the delivery of vocational education and training)

Sign up to a webinar or contact the SIA via e-mail at [email protected]

The review is one of five actions in the SIA’s new five-point plan to intensify efforts to protect the integrity of the SIA licence and combat training malpractice in the licence-linked qualifications. Another key action is Operation Resolute, the SIA’s new public-facing enforcement initiative designed to pursue, disrupt and sanction those in the training and qualifications sector who undermine the regulatory regime through fraud and malpractice.