On this page6 sections
SIA licence renewal at a glance
How long does an SIA licence last?
3 years. A vehicle immobiliser licence (Northern Ireland only) lasts 1 year
When can I renew?
Up to 4 months before your current licence expires
Do I lose time by renewing early?
No. The SIA adds any time left on your current licence onto your new one
Does it renew automatically?
No. You have to apply
What does it cost?
£204 for one licence. Each extra licence in the same application costs £102
Where do I apply?
Through your SIA online account
What if it has already expired?
You can't renew it. You apply for a new licence instead
When should I renew my SIA licence?
You can apply up to 4 months before your licence expires. Starting early costs you nothing, because the SIA adds any time left on your current licence onto the new one.
GOV.UK doesn't give a fixed processing time. Instead, the SIA's decision timescale indicator gives an estimate based on what you enter, which isn't a guarantee. GOV.UK advises applying early to reduce the risk of being unlicensed and unable to work.
You can only renew a licence that's still current, in the same sector. Once it has expired, you have to make a new application.
What do I need to renew my SIA licence?
Proof of identity. You prove your identity on every application, because it's needed for the criminal record checks. You may be asked to visit a UK Post Office.
The current licensing criteria. You must still meet the criteria in the SIA's Get Licensed booklet.
Refresher training, for some licences. You don't retake training you've already done, but some licences need a refresher on top of the licence-linked qualification:
Door supervisor
Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)
Security guard
Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)
Close protection
Level 2 Award for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry (Refresher), required since 1 April 2026
A first aid certificate with time left on it. You show it to your training provider before the refresher:
door supervisors and security guards need Emergency First Aid at Work, or equivalent, valid for at least another 12 months;
close protection operatives need a level 3 first aid qualification (First Aid at Work or equivalent) valid for at least 12 months.
Check your first aid certificate's expiry date before you book the refresher. If it has less than 12 months left, renew it first. Our first aid certificate renewal guide explains how long each course lasts.
How to renew your SIA licence, step by step
Check your licence's expiry date. You can apply from 4 months before it.
Check whether your licence needs refresher training. If it does, check that your first aid certificate has at least 12 months left, then book the refresher with a training provider.
Sign in to your SIA online account and start the renewal.
Prove your identity when asked. This may include a visit to a UK Post Office.
Pay the £204 fee. The fee isn't refundable. Your employer can pay it, or apply for you, but only if you link your account with theirs, and you can decline the link.
Keep an eye on your SIA account until a decision is made.
Door supervisors can renew, or switch to a security guard licence by taking the security guard refresher. Close protection licence holders can renew, or switch to a door supervisor licence by taking the door supervisor refresher.
What happens if my SIA licence expires?
An expired licence can't be renewed. You apply for a new licence instead, through the same SIA online account.
Without a valid licence you can't work in a licensed role, so a lapsed date can mean lost shifts while the new application is decided.
The surest fix is to know the date well ahead and start in the 4-month window.
Keep your licence and certificates in one place, with reminders
SkillProof Personal keeps your SIA licence, first aid certificate and other training in one place, with an automatic email reminder before each one expires. Reminders are on from the start: before it's due, and if it runs out.
Add your licence's expiry date once. Because the SIA adds any time left onto your new licence, there's nothing to lose by starting your renewal as soon as your reminder arrives.
When an employer or agency asks for proof, share a secure link instead of sending photos. You choose what they see and how long the link lasts, with an optional PIN.
£9.99 a month or £59.88 a year. Nothing is added to the price shown. Free for 14 days, no card needed.
SkillProof doesn't check or renew SIA licences, and it isn't connected to the SIA. Records you share show what you entered.
Managing licences for a team? See how to check an SIA licence and professional registration tracking.
Official guidance used for this guide
Checked
GOV.UK guidance used for this article. Always check the SIA's current requirements before you apply.
Questions this guide answers
How long does an SIA licence last?
3 years. The one exception is the vehicle immobiliser licence, used only in Northern Ireland, which lasts 1 year.
How early can I renew my SIA licence?
Up to 4 months before it expires. The SIA adds any time left on your current licence onto your new one, so you don't lose anything by applying early.
How much does it cost to renew an SIA licence?
£204, the same as a new licence. If you apply for more than one licence in the same application, each extra licence costs £102. The fee isn't refundable.
Do I need to do refresher training to renew?
Door supervisors, security guards and close protection operatives need the refresher award for their licence. Door supervisors and security guards also need Emergency First Aid at Work, or equivalent, valid for at least another 12 months.
Can I renew an expired SIA licence?
No. Once it has expired, you apply for a new licence instead.
Can SkillProof renew my licence for me?
No. You renew through your SIA online account. SkillProof Personal keeps the date and sends you email reminders, so you know when to start.