SIA Licence Renewal 2026: Which Refresher Course Do You Need and How to Book It
The rules changed in 2025 and again in 2026. Here is exactly what you need to renew, which course to book and how to avoid a gap in your work.
This article is general guidance and is not legal advice. Always follow your employer’s policy and your site’s assignment instructions.
SIA licence renewal used to be simple. You paid the fee, sent your application and carried on working. Not any more. Since April 2025, most door supervisors and security guards must complete refresher training before they can renew. This means thousands of officers now need to plan their SIA licence renewal months in advance.
This guide explains the current rules in plain English. You will learn which refresher course matches your licence, what to sort out before you book, and how to choose a training centre that suits your shifts. You will see the common mistakes that leave officers unable to work while they wait.
What changed for SIA licence renewal in 2025 and 2026
The Security Industry Authority made refresher training mandatory for door supervisor and security guard renewals from 1 April 2025. The aim is to keep safety-critical skills current, including first aid, terror awareness and, for door supervisors, physical intervention.
Then, from 1 April 2026, close protection operatives were brought into the same system. However, CCTV and key holding licence holders do not currently need refresher training to renew. If you hold a front-line door supervisor or security guard licence, refresher training is now part of every SIA licence renewal.
A simple renewal timeline:
- Five months out: check your licence expiry date.
- Four to five months out: book your refresher course.
- Four months out: submit your renewal application.
- By the expiry date: your new licence should be in hand.
You can apply up to four months before expiry, and the SIA adds any unused time to your new licence, so renewing early costs you nothing.
Which refresher course do you need for your SIA licence renewal?
The right course depends on the licence you hold now and the work you want to do next. Use this quick guide before booking.
| Your licence and goal | Course to book |
|---|---|
| Door supervisor, staying a door supervisor | Door Supervisor Refresher, 2 days |
| Security guard, staying a security guard | Security Guard Refresher, 1 day |
| Door supervisor, switching to guarding only | Security Guard Refresher, 1 day (you lose door supervision work) |
| CCTV operator or key holder | No refresher currently required |
| Licence already expired | The refresher for your licence. The SIA lets you renew before your licence expires or up to three years after it expires. |
Door Supervisor refresher vs Security Guard refresher
This is the decision most officers get stuck on. The security guard refresher is shorter: one day instead of two. But it does not include physical intervention, so it only lets you renew as a security guard.
That matters more than many people realise. A door supervisor licence covers pubs, clubs, hotel bars, events and festivals, and it also covers static guarding. Guarding licensed premises such as pubs, bars and clubs while they are open to the public needs a door supervisor licence, and a security guard licence does not cover it. So if you might ever work a door again, the two-day Door Supervisor refresher keeps your options open.
Do you need first aid for SIA licence renewal?
Yes. Door supervisor and security guard refresher training needs a valid Emergency First Aid certificate. Every refresher you book through BookCourse includes Emergency First Aid, taught in the first half of day one, so you complete it as part of the same booking. If you book elsewhere, check whether first aid is included first.
Booking elsewhere? Check first aid is included
Some providers sell first aid separately. If yours does, make sure your certificate is valid before the course starts. If you need first aid on its own, book a one-day Emergency First Aid course.
Do you need ACT certificates for SIA licence renewal?
Yes. You need your ACT certificates before your refresher course starts. ACT is free counter terrorism e-learning on the ProtectUK website, and you can do it from home. Our ACT training guide explains how to complete it and download your certificates.
How to book your SIA licence renewal course in 5 steps
- Check your expiry date. Log in to your SIA online account and note the exact date, then count back four to five months.
- Choose the right refresher. Door Supervisor if you want to keep working on the door, Security Guard if you only guard. Both include first aid with us.
- Do your ACT certificates. Complete the free ACT e-learning on ProtectUK before the course and keep your certificates.
- Pick a centre and date. Choose a date and location that fits around your shifts.
- Train, then apply straight away. Results and certificates normally take two to three weeks after the course, and delays at the awarding bodies can make it longer. Once you pass, submit your renewal online. Check with your employer first, as some pay the fee or apply on your behalf.
Where to train: London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester
BookCourse is a booking platform that partners with training centres. You can book refresher training at partner centres across London and in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, so you rarely need to travel far. In East London, you can book the Door Supervisor refresher in Bethnal Green, Stratford, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Forest Gate. South of the river, there is also a centre in South West London.
Security guards can renew at Bethnal Green, Stratford, Aldgate, Forest Gate and South West London. Outside London, door supervisors can book refresher training in Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, and Manchester and Liverpool also run the Security Guard refresher. You can compare every date and venue on our SIA refresher courses page.
What happens if you miss your SIA licence renewal?
If your licence expires before you renew, you cannot legally work in a licensable role until your new licence is granted. You can still take a refresher, though. The SIA lets you renew before your licence expires or up to three years after it expires, so book the refresher for your licence as soon as you can.
That is why timing is everything. Booking your refresher four to five months ahead keeps your SIA licence renewal on track and keeps you working. It also gives the SIA time to process your application.
Common SIA licence renewal mistakes to avoid
Most renewal problems are easy to prevent. Watch out for these:
- Leaving it too late. The SIA needs time to process your application, so book your refresher well before your licence expires.
- Booking the wrong course. Door supervisors who take the security guard refresher by mistake lose access to venue work.
- Forgetting first aid. Refresher training needs Emergency First Aid. Every refresher we list includes it, but if you book elsewhere, check first.
- Forgetting your ACT certificates. You need them before the course starts. They are free, and our ACT training guide shows you how to get them.
- Using old personal details. Make sure your address and ID match your SIA account. Otherwise, your application may be delayed.
- Not telling your employer. Some employers pay the fee or apply for you, so speak to them before you pay.
Avoid these, and your SIA licence renewal should be smooth and quick.
Thinking of adding a new licence while you renew?
Renewal time is a smart moment to grow your options. Some guards upgrade to the full SIA Door Supervisor course to open up venue and event work. Others add the SIA CCTV course to move into control room roles. Short online courses from our partner London Security College can strengthen your CV between shifts.
Renew your SIA licence without the stress
Do not leave your SIA licence renewal until the last month. Book your refresher today, choose the centre that suits you, and get ready to apply. Courses run every week. Once you pass, your certificate normally follows within two to three weeks, though delays at the awarding bodies can make it longer.