Many security professionals across the UK are confused about what to do when their SIA licence has expired. There’s a common misconception that if your licence is no longer valid, you must retake the full Door Supervisor course. Fortunately, that’s not always the case. The SIA (Security Industry Authorization) has clear guidelines on what to do depending on the status of your licence.
If your SIA licence is still within its validity period, you simply need to complete the SIA Refresher Training to renew your licence. However, if your SIA licence has expired within the last 3 years, you may still be eligible to renew it by completing the necessary refresher training and providing any required documentation, without needing to retake the full course.
In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what you need to do, whether your licence is active, expired recently, or expired years ago. We’ll break down the steps for each situation, including how to prepare and where to get the right training, to ensure you’re fully compliant and can continue working in the security industry.
New SIA Rules: Refresher Training + First Aid Now Mandatory
As of 2025, all SIA licence holders must complete:
- SIA Top-Up Refresher Training
- A valid First Aid certificate (Emergency First Aid at Work minimum)
These two are now required by law before you can renew your SIA licence — even if your current licence hasn’t expired yet.
My SIA Licence Is Still Valid — What Do I Do?
If your licence is about to expire (within 4 months), you should:
- Book your SIA Top-Up Course
- Make sure your First Aid certificate is valid (within 3 years)
- Apply for licence renewal via the SIA website
Example:
Ali’s SIA Door Supervisor licence expires in 6 weeks. He books the refresher course and already holds a valid first aid certificate. He completes the top-up and applies for renewal without needing to redo the full 6-day course.
My SIA Licence Has Expired — Can I Still Renew It?
Yes — you can renew it up to 3 years after expiry as long as you:
- Complete the SIA Refresher (Top-Up) Training
- Hold a valid First Aid certificate
Example:
Sarah’s SIA licence expired 18 months ago. She thought she had to start over. But after completing the refresher and first aid course, she was able to renew her licence through the SIA — no full course needed!
My SIA Licence Expired More Than 3 Years Ago — What Now?
If your SIA Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence expired over 3 years ago, you must:
- Complete the full Door Supervisor Course (6 days)
- Hold a valid First Aid certificate
- Apply as a new applicant via the SIA
Example:
Mohammed’s licence expired in 2020. Since more than 3 years have passed, he had to retake the full Door Supervisor course and first aid before applying again.
Common Myths Busted
Myth | Truth |
“My licence expired, so I have to start over.” | Not true — you have 3 years to renew with refresher + first aid |
“First aid isn’t needed for renewal.” | False — first aid is now mandatory for all renewals |
“I can work while I wait to book a refresher.” | You cannot legally work unless your licence is active |
Why Choose London Security College?
At London Security College, we provide:
- Regular SIA Refresher Training
- First Aid courses (Emergency First Aid at Work – EFAW)
- Instant booking confirmation
- Affordable packages and expert trainers
Locations across London: Canary Wharf, Whitechapel, Southwark, Park Royal.
