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Complete 4-day Security Guard Training, gain the licence-linked qualification needed to apply for your SIA Security Guard Licence, and prepare for roles in retail, offices, construction sites and more.
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From £179.99 All inc
£199.99 10% Off
4.9(783 ratings)
80296 students enrolled
The SIA Security Guard Course is designed for people who want to work in guarding roles across shops, offices, warehouses, construction sites, and other locations where guarding is required. This 4-day Security Guard Training Course combines classroom-based training with mandatory self-study and leads to an SIA licence-linked Security Officer qualification.
After you pass the required assessments and receive your Security Guard qualification certificate, you can apply for an SIA Security Guard Licence. It is one of the main SIA training routes into the private security industry, alongside other SIA security courses such as Door Supervisor training and CCTV Operator training.
Course at a glance
| Course detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 days |
| Delivery | Classroom training with mandatory self-study |
| Outcome | SIA licence-linked Security Officer qualification |
| Minimum age | 16+ for training; 18+ to hold an SIA licence |
| First aid | Required — can be added to your booking |
| Assessment | 3 MCQ exams plus practical assessments |
| Course price | From £169.99 |
| Locations | Nationwide |
| SIA licence fee | £204, paid separately to the SIA |
You must hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or an accepted equivalent, before starting SIA Security Guard training. If you don't already have one, you can add First Aid to your booking. If you already hold a First Aid qualification, it must have at least 12 months remaining when your Security Guard training begins.
You must be 16 or over to take the Security Guard course and have adequate English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. You must be 18 or over to apply for an SIA licence.
The course covers the knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level guarding work. The syllabus is divided into three units covering the wider private security industry, the duties of a Security Officer and conflict management. Together, they prepare you to work safely and professionally, communicate effectively, recognise risks and respond appropriately to common situations in the security sector.
This unit gives you the foundation needed to work responsibly in the private security industry. Topics include:
This unit focuses on day-to-day Security Officer duties. You will learn about:
This unit develops the skills needed to recognise, reduce and manage conflict. It covers:
The training is assessed through three externally set multiple-choice exams and practical assessments. You need to pass the required theory and practical elements to achieve the licence-linked qualification.
| Unit | Theory assessment | Time | Pass mark | Practical assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 72-question MCQ | 110 minutes | 51/72 (70%) | Evidential activity/statement |
| Unit 2 | 60-question MCQ | 90 minutes | 42/60 (70%) | Search observation and use of communication devices |
| Unit 3 | 20-question MCQ | 30 minutes | 14/20 (70%) | Practical conflict-management scenario |
Prices start from £169.99. The £204 SIA licence application fee is separate and is paid when you apply for your licence.
No, the SIA Security Guard Course cannot be completed entirely online. Some pre-course learning, such as assigned distance learning or ACT e-learning where applicable, may be completed online, but the main training and required assessments are completed as part of the taught course.
If you're comparing SIA licence courses, the main choice for guarding roles is usually Security Guard or Door Supervisor training. The Security Guard Course is shorter and suited to general guarding roles, while Door Supervisor training gives you a broader range of job opportunities, including work at licensed premises.
| Security Guard | Door Supervisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Course length | 4 days | 6 days |
| General guarding work | Yes | Yes |
| Door supervision at licensed premises | No | Yes |
| Practical physical intervention training | No | Yes |
| Best for | General guarding roles | Broader security job flexibility |
Getting your licence is a straightforward process. Once you have completed and passed your Security Guard course, follow these steps:
Want to know more? Read our SIA Security Guard Licence guide for eligibility requirements, application checks and the full licensing process.
With an SIA Security Guard Licence, you can work in general guarding roles across retail stores, offices, construction sites, warehouses, corporate buildings and other premises.
I booked my training through Hurak but I got my SIA training at Read Training. The trainers were awesome and I did got the required treatment and training as I was told. Their service was good and I would love to do my CCTV training with them in the future.
Abdiaziz was a good teacher and I have learned a lot things
Abdiaziz was really well spoken and clear, made the training much easier for me
Amazing trainers and staff with a detailed course, the real life scenarios were very different to other courses and were much more informative and detailed compared to others
Amazing experience overall woth all the scenarios given, amazing trainers and staff, would recommend the course it is amazing
Had a very lovely experience here the training was amazing and extremely helpful thank you Abdul Aziz for making my time here pleasant.
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In this unit, you will learn:
Dispute resolution guidelines that are appropriate for the position
Minimise risk in conflict scenarios
Resolve disputes by using problem-solving methods or physical intervention
Communication skills to defuse a situation
In this unit, you will learn:
Regulations related to security personnel
Arrest procedures that apply to security personnel; Significance of safe operating procedures
Workplace fire safety protocols
Significance of emergency procedures and emergencies
Effective communication techniques
Record-keeping requirements for the security operative's position
Potential terrorist threats and the duty of a security officer in case of a threat
Post-incident management techniques
In this unit, you will learn:
Duties of security personnel
Entrance and egress are controlled
Types of physical and electronic protection measures used in the security environment
Reduce workplace risks to personal safety
Efficient search techniques
Safely patrol assigned areas
Public space surveillance
Security Guard course prices start from £169.99. The £204 SIA licence application fee is separate and is paid when you apply for your licence.
The course takes 4 days and includes mandatory self-study.
Yes. You need a valid Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or an accepted equivalent, before starting the training. If you don't already have one, you can add First Aid to your booking. An existing qualification must have at least 12 months remaining.
You can take the course from the age of 16. However, you must be at least 18 years old before you can apply for an SIA licence.
There are 3 multiple-choice exams, covering the three course units, as well as practical assessments. The theory exams contain 72, 60 and 20 questions, respectively, with a 70% pass mark for each.
You can resit an assessment if you don't pass first time. Resit arrangements vary by the course option selected, so check the package details when booking to see whether a resit is included.
After successfully completing the course and assessments, you will receive an SIA licence-linked Security Officer qualification from the relevant awarding organisation. This is the qualification used when applying for an SIA Security Guard Licence.
No. Passing the course gives you the required licence-linked qualification. You must then apply separately to the SIA, pay the licence fee and pass the SIA's application checks before your licence can be issued.
It currently costs £204 to apply for one SIA licence. This fee is paid separately from your course fee when you make your licence application.
An SIA Security Guard Licence normally lasts 3 years. Current renewal rules also require Security Guard licence holders to meet the applicable refresher-training requirements.
Not in a role that legally requires an SIA licence. After passing the course, you still need to apply for your SIA Security Guard Licence and have your application approved before carrying out licensable Security Guard activities.
A Security Guard Licence can be used for general guarding roles in places such as retail stores, offices, construction sites, warehouses and corporate buildings. It does not cover door-supervision activities at licensed premises where a Door Supervisor licence is required.
