Historically the most popular SIA licence held is the Door Supervisor. This is because as well as being able to work in pubs and clubs, it also allows you to undertake all of the activities covered by an SIA Security licence.

Additionally it covers working in Event Security (e.g. at the large music festivals that run throughout the summer months). This means that one SIA licence enables you to work in three sectors of the industry, so maximising your job opportunities.

To obtain the SIA Door Supervisor or Security licence you will need to pass a qualification such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award in Door Supervision. This will involve attending a four day course and passing three exams. You will also need to provide suitable identification and pass a criminality check.

There are significant overlaps with Security Guarding so you will be well prepared should you choose to work in that sector.

We run courses from a wide number of locations throughout the UK with costs being very competitive.

The course is separated into four Modules:

Module 1: Working in the Private Security Industry

• The Private Security Industry
  
• Relevant Legislation
  
• Health and safety in the workplace
  
• The principles of fire safety
  
• Non-fire-related workplace emergencies
  
• The principles of effective communication and customer care in the private security industry
  

Module 2: Conflict Management for the Private Security Industry

• The principles of conflict management
  
• All you need to know about risk
• Communication and the de-escalation of conflict
  
• Problem solving strategies
  
• After the conflict is over
  

Module 3a: Working as a Door Supervisor

• Door supervisors and the law
  
• Access control and searching
• Arrest
  
• Drugs
  
• Incident recording and crime scene preservation
• Licensing law and social responsibility
  
• Safety and security

Module 4: Physical Intervention

• Health and safety
  
• The legal implications on use of force
  
• Medical implications in use of force
  
• Post incident reporting
  
• Recording incidents
  
• Disengagement
• Escorting
• Holding

The Level 2 Award in Door Supervision is assessed by three straightforward multiple choice exams.

The vast majority of our candidates pass at their first attempt, but there is no limit to the number of times you can resit the exams. We have trained over 10,000 candidates in this qualification and have a 96% pass rate.

On receipt of your exam results, which should generally be available within seven working days of completing the course, you can send in your application form to the SIA (provided that you have passed the exams). Usually we provide blank application forms on our courses and will always give help and guidance with completing them.

Broadly speaking you should allow about six weeks for the SIA to process your application, although this can be considerably increased if there are any problems with it. Delays are often caused by:  

• not completing the form correctly
• sending insufficient/incorrect identification
• criminality issues
• payment not being made by your bank
  

You can track how your application is proceeding by going to the Application Status checker on the SIA Website

To obtain the Security licence you will need to pass a qualification such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award in Security Guarding.

This will involve attending a three day course and passing three exams. You will also need to provide suitable identification and pass a criminality check.

We run courses from a wide number of locations throughout the UK with costs being very competitive.

The course is separated into three Modules:

Module 1: Working in the Private Security Industry

• The Private Security Industry
  
• Relevant Legislation
  
• Health and safety in the workplace
  
• The principles of fire safety
  
• Non-fire-related workplace emergencies
  
• The principles of effective communication and customer care in the private security industry
  

Module 2: Conflict Management for the Private Security Industry

• The principles of conflict management
  
• All you need to know about risk
• Communication and the de-escalation of conflict
  
• Problem solving strategies
  
• After the conflict is over

Module 3: Working as a Security Guard

• The role of a Security Officer within the Private Industry
  
• Patrolling
  
• Access and Egress Control
  
• Searching people and their property
  
• Monitoring Systems
  
• The Law
  
• The importance of reporting and record keeping
  

The Level 2 Award in Security Guarding is assessed by three straightforward multiple choice exams. 

The vast majority of our candidates pass at their first attempt, but there is no limit to the number of times you can resit the exams. We have trained over 7000 candidates in this qualification and have a 96% pass rate.

On receipt of your exam results, which should generally* be available within four working days of completing the course, you can send in your application form to the SIA (provided that you have passed the exams).

Broadly speaking you should allow about six weeks for the SIA to process your application, although this can be considerably increased if there are any problems with it. Delays are often caused by:

• not completing the form correctly
• sending insufficient/incorrect identification
• criminality issues
• payment not being made by your bank
  

You can track how your application is proceeding by going to the Application Status checker on the SIA Website

*BIIAB qualifications only. For other awarding bodies you should allow up to ten working days.

Under the Licensing Act 2003 anyone authorising the retail sale of alcohol has to hold a personal licence.

In order to qualify for a personal licence an applicant must hold a licensing qualification such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders.

The Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, is both QCA accredited and Government approved, and has been specifically designed to meet the statutory requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

BIIAB's Level 2 APLH covers the syllabus set by Government to enable candidates to understand the law in relation to:

• The roles, responsibilities and functions of licensing authorities within the framework of the licensing objectives.
  
  
• The application process for a personal licence.
  
  
• The role and legal responsibilities of the personal licence holder, and the penalties relating to failure to comply with the law.
  
  
• The premises licence.
  
  
• The content and purpose of operating schedules.
  
  
• The role and duties of the designated premises supervisor.
  
  
• Unauthorised licensable activities.
  
  
• Permitted temporary licensable activities.
  
  
• Rights of entry to licensed premises.
  
  
• Police powers with regard to suspension and closure of licensed premises.
  
  
• The specific prohibitions for the sale of alcohol.
  
  
• The strengths of alcoholic drinks, and the effects of alcohol on the human body.
  
  
• The protection of children from harm.
  
  
• The responsible retail sale of alcohol.

The training is supported by the BIIAB APLH handbook. This handbook is written in an easy to follow format and contains all the information needed to pass the exam.

The training is followed by one short multiple choice exam with 40 questions. To pass, the candidate must achieve a minimum of 28 correct answers.

To view sample questions of the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders please click the links below:

» National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders

When applying for a personal licence you must apply to the licensing authority for the area in which you are an ordinarily reside.

You must first complete a personal licence application form. (These forms are available from your local licensing department or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website)

Submit the completed application form together with the following documents to your local licensing authority:

• 2 passport sized photographs. (One must be signed by someone of some standing within the community i.e. solicitor, doctor, teacher,minister of religion, bank or building society official or civil servant).
  
  
• The licensing fee of £37.00
  
  
• A Disclosure of Convictions and Declaration form (available from your local licensing department) which should state whether or not any relevant or foreign offences have been committed, including full details, were applicable.
  
  
• Your BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders
  
  
• Your CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) certificate. Visit the Disclosure Scotland website to apply online.
  

NB. A Personal Licence is valid for a period of 10 Years

The role of a CCTV operator is mainly involved with monitoring and tracking the activities of suspicious looking individuals or situations in public places. However, unless you are working ‘in house’, you will need to be granted a CCTV SIA licence before you can apply for a job within the industry.

Before you can apply to the SIA for a CCTV licence you will need to obtain a qualification called the Level 2 Award in CCTV Operations (Public Space Surveillance). This qualification is achieved by attending either a four day course and passing two multiple choice exam together with a practical assessment.

The course is separated into three Units:

Unit 1 – Working in the Private Security Industry

 The purpose and main features of the private security industry

• The legislation that is relevant to people working in the private security industry
  
• Relevant aspects of health and safety in the workplace
  
• Application of fire safety principles
  
• Dealing with non-fire-related workplace emergencies
  
• The principles of effective communication and customer care in the private security industry
  

Unit 2 – Working as a CCTV Operator

 CCTV Codes of Practice, Operational Procedures and Guidelines

• Relevant Legislation and how it impacts on CCTV operations
• Roles and responsibilities of the CCTV Operator and other CCTV staff
• The characteristics of a CCTV system
• How to make effective use of CCTV equipment
• Emergency procedures in the CCTV control room

Unit 3 - Practical Operation of CCTV equipment

The Level 2 Award in CCTV Ooperations (Public Space Surveillance) is assessed by two straightforward multiple choice exam together with a practical assessment.

The vast majority of our candidates pass at their first attempt, but there is no limit to the number of times you can resit the exams. We have trained over 7000 candidates in SIA qualifications and have a 96% pass rate.

On receipt of your exam results, which should generally* be available within four working days of completing the course, you can send in your application form to the SIA (provided that you have passed the exams). Usually we provide blank application forms on our courses and will always give help and guidance with completing them.

Broadly speaking you should allow about six weeks for the SIA to process your application, although this can be considerably increased if there are any problems with it. Delays are often caused by:

• not completing the form correctly
• sending insufficient/incorrect identification
• criminality issues
• payment not being made by your bank

You can track how your application is proceeding by going to the Application Status checker on the SIA Website

*BIIAB qualifications only. For other awarding bodies you should allow up to ten working days.