SIA training courses: which one do you need, and what do they cost?
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 22 August 2026 · Facts checked against SIA and GOV.UK guidance on the date above
Most SIA licence classes need a licence-linked training course with an SIA-approved provider before you can apply - a door supervisor course typically costs £250-£400 (Get Licensed / OTS News, 2026), on top of and separate from the SIA's own £204 application fee.
Two classes are the exception: key holding and non-front-line licences don't require a licence-linked course at all.
This guide sets out which course maps to which licence class, what training typically costs, and how your course evidence feeds into the SIA's own application form.
This is general information, not professional advice. Course pricing and provider approval status change, so always check directly with an SIA-approved training provider and the SIA before booking or paying for a course.
Do you need training for your SIA licence?
You need a licence-linked training course first if your licence class is door supervision, security guarding, public space surveillance (CCTV), close protection, cash and valuables in transit, or vehicle immobilisation.
You do not need a licence-linked course for a key holding licence or a non-front-line licence, though the SIA still runs its usual identity and criminal-record checks on every application regardless of class.
If you're not yet sure which of the 8 classes applies to you, work through our licence class picker first, since the course you book depends entirely on getting that right.
Which course maps to which licence class
Each front-line licence class (other than key holding) has its own SIA-approved course, and the course you complete is specific to the class you're applying for.
| Licence class | Licence-linked course required? |
|---|---|
| Door supervision | Yes - see our door supervisor licence guide for the specific course and cost detail. |
| Security guarding | Yes |
| Public space surveillance (CCTV) | Yes |
| Close protection | Yes |
| Cash and valuables in transit (CVIT) | Yes |
| Vehicle immobilisation (Northern Ireland only) | Yes |
| Key holding | No |
| Non-front-line | No |
Source: GOV.UK SIA licence guidance and the NPSA's official SIA licence summary. Some higher qualifications cover more than one class - for example a door supervisor course is generally understood to also cover general security-guarding-type work - so check the current SIA licence-linked qualification rules before booking two separate courses you might not need.
How much does SIA training cost?
The clearest sourced figure we have is for door supervision: a licence-linked course typically costs £250-£400 through an SIA-approved provider (Get Licensed / OTS News, 2026), and budgeting course plus the SIA's own £204 fee plus a first aid qualification generally comes to around £550-£600 all in for a first door supervisor badge.
Course cost varies by provider and location - the free official SIA guidance is on GOV.UK →, and the SIA maintains its own list of approved training providers.
✓ Figures sourced Get Licensed / OTS News, 2026
We don't have a reliably sourced, dated cost figure for every other licence class's course yet, so rather than guess we've left those out - treat any "typical cost" you see quoted elsewhere for CCTV, close protection or CVIT courses as unverified until it's confirmed against a current provider quote.
How does the course link to your SIA licence application?
Your training provider issues evidence of completion, which you then upload as part of the SIA's own online application, so the course has to be finished before you submit, not during or after.
The SIA's application is a 9-section online form: section 1 is consent to identity and criminal-record checks (which unlocks the rest of the form), sections 2-8 cover personal details, licence type, address history, your licence-linked qualification evidence, criminal history disclosure, right-to-work status and any additional information, and section 9 is the final declaration - once you submit, you can't go back and change your answers.
For the full step-by-step application process once your course is done, see our main SIA licence guide.
Choosing a training provider
Book only with a training provider that's approved by the SIA to deliver the specific licence-linked course you need, since a course from an unapproved provider won't be accepted as part of your application.
Beyond approval status, it's worth comparing course dates, location, group size and whether first aid training (needed alongside some front-line classes) is bundled in or charged separately, since that affects the real total cost.
If your class is door supervision, our dedicated door supervisor licence guide covers the specific course length and cost range for that class, plus the full application and renewal process.
Frequently asked questions
Is SIA training free?
No - the licence-linked course itself is paid to the training provider, separately from the SIA's own £204 application fee; for door supervision, budget around £250-£400 for the course.
Can I apply for an SIA licence without doing a course first?
Only for key holding and non-front-line licences - every other front-line class requires you to complete a licence-linked course before your application can be approved.
Does one course cover more than one licence class?
Sometimes - a door supervisor course is generally understood to also cover general security-guarding-type work, but this should be checked against current SIA licence-linked qualification rules before you book two courses you might not need.
How long does SIA training take?
We don't have a reliably sourced, dated course-length figure for every class, so rather than guess we'd point you to your chosen SIA-approved provider's own course listing, which will confirm exact days and format.
What happens if I complete the wrong course?
It won't be accepted as evidence for a different licence class, so use our licence class picker to confirm your class before booking any course.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the SIA, GOV.UK or any government body, or with any training provider named or implied. This page is general information, not professional advice - always confirm provider approval status and current pricing directly before booking or paying for a course.