A security licence is more than a card in your wallet. It is what allows you to take shifts, apply for better roles and keep earning in regulated security work. So, who needs SIA refresher training? If you are renewing certain SIA licences, you may need to complete an approved top-up qualification before you submit your renewal application.

This is not a course every security worker takes at the same time. The requirement depends on the licence you hold and whether you are renewing it, rather than applying for your first licence. Getting this right early helps you avoid a gap in your licence and a gap in your income.

Who needs SIA refresher training?

SIA refresher training, often called top-up training, is mainly for existing licence holders renewing a Door Supervisor, Security Guard or Close Protection licence. It brings experienced workers up to date on areas that have changed since their original qualification, including safety, counter-terrorism awareness and practical responsibilities.

You are likely to need top-up training if your licence is due to expire and you hold one of these licences:

• Door Supervisor
• Security Guard
• Close Protection

The exact course must match the licence pathway you are renewing. A Door Supervisor top-up course is not the same as a Security Guard top-up course, and Close Protection has its own renewal requirements. Your job title does not decide this. Your current SIA licence and the type of work it covers do.

For example, a retail security officer may work under a Door Supervisor licence or a Security Guard licence. Check the licence type on your SIA account or card before booking. Choosing the wrong course can cost time and delay your renewal.

Door Supervisors renewing their licence

Door Supervisors need refresher training because their role can involve more direct contact with the public and more complex situations. You may work at a venue door, in a hotel, at events, in retail security or on patrol. Wherever you work, you need current knowledge and practical skills to manage incidents lawfully and safely.

A Door Supervisor top-up course usually covers key areas such as safeguarding, recognising terrorist threats and updated physical intervention skills. Physical intervention is a serious responsibility. Training focuses on using reasonable force, reducing risk and understanding when de-escalation is the safer option.

If you have an active Door Supervisor licence that is approaching expiry, do not assume your original course is enough for renewal. Check the current SIA rules and book the relevant top-up qualification in good time.

Security Guards renewing their licence

Security Guards also need an approved top-up qualification when renewing their licence. This applies whether you work in offices, warehouses, construction sites, residential buildings, shops or other premises.

The role may not include the physical intervention unit required for Door Supervisors, but it still demands sound judgement. Security Guards are often the first person to spot suspicious behaviour, respond to an alarm, deal with visitors or protect a site outside normal working hours. Refresher training helps you recognise current risks and respond professionally.

If you originally trained years ago, the standards around threat awareness and public safety may have changed. Top-up training is designed to make sure your qualification meets the requirements for a new licence period.

Close Protection licence holders

Close Protection licence holders renewing their licence may also need top-up training. This is particularly relevant to professionals working with high-profile clients, executives, VIPs or individuals who face increased personal risk.

Close Protection work requires careful planning, communication and threat awareness. The renewal qualification reflects the fact that security risks change, and clients expect licensed operatives to work to current standards. As with other pathways, make sure you book a course specifically recognised for your licence type rather than a general security refresher.

Who does not currently need a top-up course?

Not every SIA licence holder needs refresher training. If you are applying for your first SIA licence, you normally need the full qualification for the role you want to do, not a top-up course. A refresher course is for people who already hold an eligible licence and are renewing it.

CCTV Operator licence holders do not currently have the same top-up training requirement for renewal. However, the licence still needs to be renewed before it expires. Licence requirements can change, so it is sensible to check the latest SIA guidance when planning your renewal.

If you hold more than one licence, look at each licence separately. A person might not need a top-up for their CCTV licence but may need one to renew their Door Supervisor licence. It depends on the activity you want to remain licensed for.

First aid is part of being renewal-ready

For many licence renewals, a valid first aid qualification is required alongside the top-up training. This is one of the most common reasons learners run into trouble near their expiry date.

Your first aid certificate must meet the SIA’s accepted standard, and it needs enough validity left when you make your licence application. In practice, do not leave this until the final weeks. A certificate that is about to expire may not be suitable for your renewal application, even if it was valid when you attended training.

Emergency First Aid at Work is a common route for eligible learners, but always check that your certificate meets the current requirement for your specific licence. If you are unsure, ask before booking. It is far easier to plan the right combination of training than to correct an application after your licence is close to expiry.

When should you book refresher training?

The safest approach is to start planning several months before your SIA licence expires. You can apply to renew an SIA licence up to four months before its expiry date, so your training should be completed early enough for you to receive your result and submit your application without pressure.

Leaving everything to the final fortnight creates avoidable problems. Courses may be full, you may need to arrange first aid training, or an error in your details may need correcting. If your licence expires before renewal is granted, you cannot carry out licensed activities until your new licence is approved.

A practical timeline is to check your licence expiry date first, then confirm whether you need first aid, book the correct top-up course and apply for renewal as soon as you are eligible. Keep your qualification certificates safe, and make sure the personal details on your training booking match your identification documents.

What to expect from SIA top-up training

Good refresher training is practical, focused and built around the situations security staff actually face. You should expect trainer-led teaching, clear explanations of current responsibilities and, where relevant, assessed practical work.

This is not about catching people out. It is about making sure you can do the job safely, protect the public and make decisions you can justify. Learners returning to training after several years often find that real-world examples make the updated content easier to understand.

At BrotherzGroup, the focus is on job-ready learning with experienced trainers who explain what the rules mean on shift, not just in an exam. Fast results and support with your next steps can make a real difference when your renewal deadline is approaching.

Check before you book

Before enrolling, confirm the exact licence you hold, its expiry date and whether your first aid certificate has sufficient validity. Also check that the training provider is offering the correct regulated top-up qualification for your renewal route.

Do not book a course simply because the name sounds close to your role. A Security Guard and Door Supervisor may both work in retail, but their licensing pathways are different. Likewise, moving into a new security role may require a full qualification rather than a refresher course.

Your licence protects your right to work, but keeping it active is a task you can plan for. Check your expiry date now, arrange the right training early and give yourself the best chance of staying on the rota without interruption.