SIA Licence Checker: How to Check an SIA Licence
Published 3 November 2026
How to check an SIA licence on the official register, what you need, what the result shows, when to re-check staff and how to track expiry.
The SIA licence checker is the Security Industry Authority's free public Register of Licence Holders. It is the official way to confirm that a security officer, door supervisor, CCTV operator or key holder holds a licence. This guide shows how to use it step by step, what the result does and does not tell you, and how to stay on top of expiry dates across a whole team.
How to check an SIA licence in four steps
- Open the register. Go to the SIA Register of Licence Holders. There is nothing to install.
- Enter the details. You need either the officer's 16 digit licence number, or their surname plus other personal details, such as date of birth and the security role. A name on its own is not enough.
- Read the result. Look at the licence sector, the status and the expiry date. The status should show the licence is current, and the sector must match the job the person will do.
- Record the check. Note the date, who checked and what the register said. A screenshot or a saved note is enough. Without a record, you cannot show a client or auditor that you checked.
If the status is anything other than current, or the sector does not match the work, do not put the officer on a post until it is resolved.
Who needs a licence, and the law behind it
GOV.UK says an employer must check that someone has the correct security licence before hiring them for private security work. The roles that need an SIA licence include security guards, door supervisors, close protection operatives, CCTV operators (public space surveillance), key holders and cash and valuables guards. You could be fined or sent to prison for paying someone to work in a licensable role without the right licence, so the check protects the company as well as the client.
Read the official guidance: Check a private security licence.
Check the licence, not just the card
Officers carry a licence card, and it is a good first look. But the register is the record that matters, because a card can be out of date, damaged or not the person's. Check the register, and check that the person in front of you matches the name and the card.
When to check an SIA licence
- Before the first shift. Before hiring, as GOV.UK requires, and before anyone works a post.
- On a schedule. Many companies re-check every month, and again straight after an expiry date has passed. That is good practice rather than a rule, but a dated record of repeat checks is what a client or auditor wants to see.
- After a change of role. If an officer moves from guarding to door supervision, for example, check they hold the licence for the new sector.
What the register cannot tell you
The register tells you about the licence. It does not tell you where someone has worked, how they perform, or whether they have the right to work in the UK. Those are separate checks, and you need a record of each. It is also built for one person at a time, so checking a large team by hand every month takes real time. That is why most companies keep a tracker.
Track expiry so no officer works unlicensed
Licences do not renew on their own. The officer has to apply, and you can apply up to 4 months before the licence expires, without losing any time. If a licence has expired it cannot be renewed: the officer must apply for a new one and must not work in a licensable role until it is granted. The full renewal rules are in our SIA licence check, tracker and renewal guide.
For a small team, a spreadsheet works. You can download a free SIA licence tracker that counts the days to expiry and colours the rows amber and red. Keep only the personal data you need.
As a team grows, a system saves the repeat work. GuardFlow keeps each officer's licence number, sector and expiry date on their record, keeps the evidence from your check, and reminds you before expiry (by default at 30, 14, 7 and 0 days, and you can change the days). It does not look the licence up for you: someone still checks the register, and GuardFlow keeps the proof and the date so the answer is there when a client asks. See features and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SIA licence checker free?
Yes. The SIA's public Register of Licence Holders is free to search.
Can I check an SIA licence with just a name?
No. You need the 16 digit licence number, or the surname together with other details such as date of birth and the security role.
What is an SIA badge check?
"SIA badge" is the everyday name for the licence card. A badge check is the same register check described above: confirm the licence on the register, not only the card.
What should I do if the licence has expired?
The officer must not work in a licensable role. An expired licence cannot be renewed, so they must apply for a new licence and wait until it is granted. Our renewal guide explains the steps.
How often should I check my officers' licences?
There is no single rule. Check before the first shift, then on a regular schedule such as monthly, and straight after any expiry date. Keep a dated record every time.