SIA Physical Intervention cheat sheet

A door supervisor licence is required for licensable activity at premises selling alcohol, late-night refreshment, or involving regulated entertainment under the Licensing Act 2003.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to hold a private security licence; there is no upper age limit.

The applicant must hold the relevant, current qualification for the licence type before applying (e.g., Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry).

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to evidence it to the SIA on request.

A licence is granted per individual, not per employer; licence holders may work for multiple employers.

The SIA may refuse or revoke a licence where the applicant is not a fit and proper person, applying its published criminality and conduct criteria.

Licences are valid for a maximum of three years; the expiry date is stated on the licence and renewal must be applied for before expiry.

A licence may be granted with conditions (e.g., additional training) or suspended pending investigation; working while suspended is an offence.

Applicants must provide identity documents from the SIA's approved list; the list groups documents into Group A (primary) and Group B (supporting).

A minimum of three documents is normally required, including at least one Group A document and evidence of the right to work in the UK.

A valid passport or UK photocard driving licence is commonly accepted as a Group A identity document.

Documents must be originals; photocopies, expired documents, and laminated or altered documents are not accepted.

The applicant's name must match across all documents; a change of name requires supporting evidence such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.

The SIA verifies identity through an approved identity-checking route, including a counter-signatory or identity service provider where required.

A recent passport-style photograph may be required as part of the application; digital photographs must meet the SIA's specification.

Where an applicant cannot meet the document requirements, the SIA may request alternative evidence or refuse the application.

Applications are submitted to the SIA, normally online; a paper route is available in limited circumstances.

The application fee must be paid at submission; the fee is non-refundable once processing begins.

The standard application fee is set by the SIA and is published on its website; fees differ for some licence types and for renewals.

A renewal application should be submitted before the licence expires; late renewal may require a new application and fee.

The SIA aims to decide applications within a published service standard, but complex cases (e.g., criminal record checks) may take longer.

Applicants must provide a UK address for correspondence and may be asked to attend an identity interview.

The licence, once granted, is issued electronically and can be checked via the SIA public register.

Applicants must notify the SIA of changes to personal details (name, address) and of any new criminal convictions.

The SIA obtains a criminal record disclosure as part of the application; unspent convictions and some spent convictions must be declared.

The SIA's criminality criteria consider the nature, number, and age of offences, and whether they indicate a risk to the public.

Certain serious offences (e.g., violence, dishonesty, drugs, sexual offences) may lead to refusal even where convictions are old.

Applicants must declare all convictions, cautions, and warnings as required by the application; failure to declare may result in refusal or revocation.

Right to work in the UK must be evidenced with original documents (e.g., passport, biometric residence permit) or via a Home Office check.

The SIA may require a medical or mental health assessment where there are concerns about an applicant's fitness to work in security.

A licence may be refused or revoked where the applicant's mental or physical health makes them unfit to perform licensable activity.

The SIA may share information with the police and other agencies; false declarations can lead to prosecution.

The SIA applies a fit and proper person test; relevant factors include criminality, conduct, and compliance with licensing conditions.

Applicants must complete the relevant SIA-approved training and hold a valid first aid certificate where required by the licence type.

The licence type must match the work performed; door supervisors, security guards, CCTV operators, and key holders hold different licences.

A licence holder must carry their licence (or a copy) while working and produce it on request to an authorised person.

The SIA may impose conditions on a licence, such as restricting the type of premises or requiring additional training.

Licence holders must comply with the SIA's code of conduct and report changes in circumstances that affect eligibility.

A person whose licence has been revoked may not reapply for a specified period, as set by the SIA.

Working without a licence in a licensable role is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution and a fine.

The SIA requires proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of right to work in the UK as part of the application.

Proof of address must be recent (usually within three months) and show the applicant's name and current address.

Accepted proof of address includes a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill; mobile phone bills are generally not accepted.

Identity documents must be in the applicant's current name; discrepancies require supporting evidence.

The SIA may require a countersignature from a person of standing who has known the applicant for a specified period.

Biometric information (photograph and, where applicable, fingerprints) may be collected as part of identity verification.

The applicant must consent to identity checks, including checks against government and other databases.

The SIA may refuse an application where identity cannot be verified to its satisfaction.

Applications may be made online; the SIA's online system requires an email address and a payment method.

The application fee covers processing and is separate from any training or qualification costs.

Fees may be paid by debit or credit card; the SIA does not accept cash.

A licence renewal may be made up to a specified period before expiry; the SIA publishes the renewal window.

Applicants should keep a copy of their application and reference number for tracking.

The SIA may request further information during processing; failure to respond within the stated period may result in refusal.

A decision may be appealed through the SIA's internal review process and, ultimately, to the First-tier Tribunal.

The SIA publishes processing times and service standards; applicants can check the status of their application online.

The SIA uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or equivalent to obtain criminal record information.

Spent convictions may be disclosed where the offence is relevant to the licence type, under the SIA's published criteria.

Applicants with convictions should provide details and any supporting evidence (e.g., references, rehabilitation evidence) with their application.

The SIA considers the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the length of time since the offence.

Right to work checks must be performed before employment; the SIA verifies status as part of the application.

Mental health checks are not routine; the SIA may request a medical report where there is evidence of concern.

The SIA may refuse a licence where an applicant's health condition poses a risk to themselves or others in a security role.

Applicants must disclose any change in criminal record or health status after the licence is granted.

The SIA licence is required for individuals carrying out licensable conduct, not for the business itself; businesses must be approved separately where required.

Applicants must not be disqualified from holding a licence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

The SIA may consider the applicant's previous licensing history, including revocations and suspensions.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the SIA's standards through the relevant qualification.

The licence must be renewed before expiry; working on an expired licence is an offence.

The SIA may grant a licence with conditions, such as restricting the licence to certain activities.

The SIA's decision must be proportionate and based on published criteria; applicants can request reasons for a refusal.

A licence holder must notify the SIA of any change of name or address within a specified period.

The SIA's identity requirements are set out in its published guidance and may change; applicants should check the current list.

Documents must be current and valid; expired passports or driving licences are not accepted.

A combination of documents may be required to meet the points-based or group-based system.

The applicant's photograph must be recent and meet the SIA's format requirements.

The SIA may require a certified copy of documents where originals cannot be provided.

Identity checks may be carried out by an approved identity service provider or counter-signatory.

The SIA may share identity information with other government departments for verification.

False or fraudulent identity documents will result in refusal and possible prosecution.

The SIA publishes application fees on its website; fees are subject to change and should be checked before applying.

The application fee is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn.

A separate fee may apply for a replacement licence if the original is lost or damaged.

Applications must be made using the SIA's approved form or online system.

The SIA may require the applicant to attend an interview or provide additional information.

The SIA aims to process applications within its published service standard, but delays may occur.

Applicants can track their application online using their reference number.

Decisions can be reviewed internally and appealed to the First-tier Tribunal.

The SIA's criminality criteria are published and include a list of offences that may lead to refusal.

The SIA considers the applicant's age at the time of the offence and the time elapsed since conviction.

Applicants must provide a criminal record disclosure from the relevant authority.

The SIA may require a right to work check via the Home Office online service for non-UK nationals.

Mental health assessments may be required where the SIA has concerns about fitness to work.

The SIA may refuse a licence where the applicant has a history of violence or dishonesty offences.

Applicants must disclose all relevant information; failure to do so may result in refusal or revocation.

The SIA may share information with the police and other agencies for the purposes of licensing.

The SIA licence is granted to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, including age, qualification, and right to work.

The applicant must not be a person who has been disqualified from holding a licence under the Act.

The SIA may consider the applicant's criminal record and conduct in deciding whether they are fit and proper.

The licence type must be appropriate to the work the applicant intends to do.

The licence is valid for a maximum of three years and must be renewed.

The SIA may impose conditions on a licence, such as requiring additional training.

The licence holder must comply with the SIA's code of conduct.

The SIA may revoke a licence if the holder no longer meets the criteria.

The SIA requires applicants to provide original identity documents from its approved list.

The list includes Group A and Group B documents; a minimum number of documents must be provided.

Proof of right to work in the UK is mandatory for all applicants.

Documents must be current and in the applicant's current name.

The SIA may require a countersignature or identity verification by an approved person.

Photographs must meet the SIA's specifications.

The SIA may refuse an application if identity cannot be verified.

False documents will lead to refusal and possible prosecution.

Applications are made to the SIA online or by post in limited circumstances.

The application fee is set by the SIA and published on its website.

The fee is non-refundable once the application is processed.

Renewal applications should be submitted before the licence expires.

The SIA may request additional information during processing.

Applicants can track their application online.

Decisions can be reviewed and appealed.

The SIA publishes service standards for processing times.

The SIA obtains a criminal record disclosure as part of the application process.

The SIA's criminality criteria consider the nature and seriousness of offences.

Applicants must declare all convictions, cautions, and warnings as required.

Right to work in the UK must be evidenced with original documents.

The SIA may require a medical or mental health assessment where concerns arise.

A licence may be refused or revoked where the applicant is unfit due to health.

The SIA may share information with the police and other agencies.

False declarations can lead to prosecution.