Why should I take the Security Officer course?

To obtain the Security Officer licence you will need to pass a licence-linked qualification called the Level 2 Award Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry (QCF)

The Security Officer training will involve attending a three day course and passing three exams. You will also need to provide suitable identification and pass a criminality check. The licence costs £220 and is payable to the SIA. Please note this is not included in your course costs.

Although we do not run regular ‘open to the public’ courses, we can easily deliver this qualification to groups from companies or other organisations. Please call our office on 0800 652 9965 for full details.

For individuals wanting to work as a security guard, we recommend taking the Level 2 Award Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry (QCF).

This will lead to an SIA Door Supervisor licence which also covers all aspects of security guarding.

The Level 2 Award in Door Supervision courses are available in the following locations: Bournemouth, Southampton, Brighton, Reading, Nottingham, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Read below for more details about the modules of the Security Guard course.

(Please note – You MUST be 18 or over to both attend the training and apply for your SIA License.)

What will I learn on the Security Officer course?

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 Officer

• 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

How is the Security Officer course assessed?

The Level 2 Award Working as a Security Officer 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 exam. DSTO offer 2 free resits per candidate subject to our terms and conditions. We have a 98% pass rate for this qualification.

To view sample questions of the HABC Level 2 Award Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry (QCF) please click the link below:

HABC Award in Security Guarding

Applying for the SIA Security Officer licence

(Please note – You MUST be 18 or over to both attend the training and apply for your SIA License.)

On receipt of your exam results the information is uploaded by our awarding body within 48 hours. First time applicants must apply online for their licence.  Renewals can only apply by phone. Delays are often caused by:

• Not completing the form correctly(it does warn you of errors as you go along)
• Sending insufficient/incorrect identification(can be done at the post office)
• Failure to pay the £220 licence fee
• Criminality issues
• False declarations
• Address history not being concurrent or change of address without informing the SIA. (licenced people only)

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