The 5 Steps to Your Licence
Complete emergency first aid training
Since 1 April 2021 you must hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification, or an equivalent that meets the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, before you can start the door supervisor course. It is usually a 1-day course and is often bundled into the training package.
Pass the Level 2 door supervisor qualification
Complete the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry with an SIA-endorsed awarding organisation. It is typically delivered over about 6 days and has four units: three knowledge units assessed by multiple-choice exams and a practical physical intervention unit. You must pass every unit.
Apply for your SIA licence online
Create an SIA online account on GOV.UK, complete the application with your personal details and five-year history, and submit your qualification details. You must be aged 18 or over.
Prove your identity and right to work
Prove your identity — usually with an ID document check at a UK Post Office, where staff check your documents and take your photo — and provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.
Pay the £204 fee and pass the checks
Pay the £204 licence fee (non-refundable). The SIA then runs its identity, criminal record and right-to-work checks and makes a decision. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you — each case is assessed individually. Once granted, your licence lasts 3 years.
The Level 2 Qualification & Its Units
The licence-linked qualification is the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry (Level 2 (RQF)). The licence-linked qualification is typically delivered over about 6 days. This usually includes a separate 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification, which has been a mandatory entry requirement for the door supervisor course since 1 April 2021. Some providers run combined 5-6 day timetables; the SIA sets a minimum number of guided learning and contact hours rather than a fixed number of days.
First aid comes first
A valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification (or equivalent, e.g. FAW), that meets the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, is a mandatory prerequisite before starting the door supervisor course. This is a separate qualification and is usually delivered as a 1-day course, often bundled with the training package.
The four mandatory units
Role-specific unit covering the law, searching, ejection, drugs awareness, licensing law, emergency procedures and queue/crowd management for door supervisors.
The common/shared unit taken by all licence-linked learners, covering the roles and responsibilities of a security operative, the law, health and safety, communication and the SIA.
Covers avoiding, de-escalating and resolving conflict, communication skills and post-incident procedures.
Assessed by a practical assessment plus a short written knowledge assessment, not by a standard multiple-choice exam. Learners must correctly answer all questions on the risks of physical intervention (including positional asphyxia) and demonstrate every taught technique to pass.
Exam format for the knowledge units
| Unit | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry | 60 marks | 75 min |
| Unit 2: Working within the Private Security Industry | 60 marks | 75 min |
| Unit 3: Conflict Management within the Private Security Industry | 35 marks | 45 min |
Figures shown are from the Pearson BTEC Level 2 specification and are representative; question and mark counts vary slightly between awarding bodies. Awarding organisations set the pass mark per exam version and do not publish a single fixed percentage, so your training provider will confirm the pass mark before you sit each exam.
SIA-endorsed awarding organisations
Door supervisor licence-linked qualifications must be delivered by an SIA-endorsed awarding organisation. The list above reflects endorsed organisations offering the door supervisor award and may change over time; verify the current list via the awarding organisations and the SIA before relying on it. Note: the qualification title varies slightly between awarding bodies (e.g. Highfield/BIIAB use 'Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry').
Revise before the exams
The three knowledge units are multiple-choice tests. Our free, exam-style mock tests cover the same topics — the law, searching, conflict management and drugs awareness — so you walk in ready.
Take a free mock testDoorSupervisorTests is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) or any awarding body.
The SIA Licence Application
Once you hold the qualification, you apply to the SIA yourself — a training provider cannot issue the licence. To be eligible you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Hold the right licence-linked qualification (the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry), which requires a valid emergency first aid qualification as a prerequisite
- Prove your identity (in the UK this is usually done by an ID document check, commonly at a Post Office, where staff check your documents and take your photo)
- Have the right to work in the UK (evidence required in most cases)
- Pass the SIA's criminal record check (a criminal record does not automatically bar you; the SIA assesses each case)
If you have lived or spent 6 continuous months or more outside the UK in the last 10 years, you may also need to provide an overseas criminal record check.
How to apply, step by step
- Complete an emergency first aid qualification (EFAW or equivalent), then the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor - both are usually delivered together in one training package.
- Create an SIA online account on GOV.UK (search 'Apply for an SIA licence') and start your application.
- Complete and submit the application form, providing your personal details, five-year address/employment history and qualification details.
- Prove your identity and provide supporting documents - typically by attending a UK Post Office for an ID check, or by uploading documents where directed.
- Pay the £204 licence fee.
- Wait for the SIA to run its checks (identity, criminal record and right to work) and make a decision. Processing times vary; the SIA provides a decision timescale indicator rather than a fixed timeframe.
It costs £204 to apply for one frontline SIA licence. This increased from £184 on 1 April 2026, when the SIA stopped applying a £20 rebate that had been funded from historic reserves (the statutory fee has been £204 since April 2023). The fee is non-refundable. A 50% discount applies to each additional licence applied for at the same time.
What It Costs
There is no single price to qualify — training is sold by private providers, and the SIA fee is paid separately. Here is a realistic breakdown.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Level 2 training course | Around £180 to £350 for the 6-day Level 2 Award, depending on provider, location and whether the mandatory first aid day is included. Typical fees cluster around £250-£300. |
| Emergency first aid (if not bundled) | If not bundled with the course, a standalone 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work qualification typically costs around £70-£100. |
| SIA licence fee | £204 (paid separately to the SIA, non-refundable). |
| Total from scratch | Realistically expect roughly £400-£560 in total from scratch (training course + first aid if separate + the £204 SIA licence fee). Many advertised course prices include first aid but not the SIA fee - always check what a price includes. |
Course prices are set by private training providers and vary widely; the figures above are indicative ranges gathered from provider listings and should be treated as a guide, not a fixed price.
How Long It Lasts & How to Renew
A front line door supervisor licence lasts 3 years. Front line licences, including the door supervisor licence, last 3 years (vehicle immobiliser licences last 1 year, but that is not relevant to door supervisors).
When to renew
You can apply to renew from 4 months before your current licence expires. Apply early to avoid a gap in being licensed. If your licence lapses (expires before you renew), you can no longer renew it and must submit a brand-new application instead.
Refresher training
The door supervisor refresher (top-up) qualification is typically delivered over about 2 days. Your emergency first aid qualification generally needs at least 12 months of validity remaining when you start the refresher course.
A door supervisor licence does not renew automatically. Before renewing, you must complete the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) - mandatory for door supervisor renewals since 1 April 2025 - and hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (or equivalent) qualification. You then apply to renew through your SIA online account, prove your identity again, and pay the fee.
Refresher training requirements were introduced/expanded from 1 April 2025. Verify current renewal training rules with the SIA and your awarding body, as these are subject to change.
What Door Supervisors Do
Door supervisors (often called 'bouncers') control who enters and leaves licensed and public venues such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, events, festivals, sports grounds and music venues. Typical duties include checking tickets, ID and age; searching people and property with consent (as a condition of entry); refusing entry and ejecting people where necessary; monitoring crowds and behaviour; preventing and de-escalating conflict; dealing with drunk, drug-affected or vulnerable people; managing queues and capacity; responding to incidents and emergencies (including first aid and evacuation); and recording incidents and preserving evidence for the police. They have no special legal powers beyond those of any citizen, so most of their authority comes from the venue's conditions of entry and the law on reasonable force and citizen's arrest.
Pay, Hours & Where You'd Work
Typical pay
The National Careers Service lists a range of roughly £25,000 (starter) to £30,000 (experienced) per year for door supervisors. Much door work is paid hourly and shift-based, so actual earnings vary widely by location (London and big cities pay more), employer, event work and hours worked.
Working hours
Hours are variable and typically include evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays, on a shift basis. Work is often standing for long periods, sometimes outdoors in all weathers and in crowded, noisy environments.
Where they work
Pubs, bars and nightclubs; hotels; concerts, festivals and other events; sports arenas and stadiums; conferences and exhibitions; and retail or corporate premises. Employers include venues directly and private security/manpower companies that supply staff to venues.
Pay figures are from the National Careers Service and are indicative; they are not a guaranteed salary.
Find an SIA-Approved Course
You must train with a provider whose course leads to the SIA licence-linked qualification. These are starting points for finding one — always confirm that a course covers the correct Level 2 award and includes (or requires) first aid before you book.
SIA register of approved training providers
OfficialThe Security Industry Authority publishes the qualifications you need and links to the endorsed awarding organisations. Start here to confirm a course leads to the correct licence-linked qualification.
Visit siteHighfield Qualifications — approved centres
Awarding bodyHighfield is an SIA-endorsed awarding organisation for the door supervisor award. Its centre finder lists approved training providers that deliver the qualification.
Visit siteGet Licensed
Course marketplaceA national training-course marketplace that lists SIA door supervisor courses by location and date. Compare course dates, prices and whether first aid is included before you book.
Visit siteExternal links are provided for convenience only. DoorSupervisorTests does not run courses, is not affiliated with these providers, and does not review, rank or endorse any provider. Some links may be affiliate links. Prices, availability and course content are set by the provider — check the details directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualification do I need to become a door supervisor in the UK?
You need the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry, plus a valid emergency first aid qualification, before you can apply for an SIA door supervisor licence. The award is delivered by SIA-endorsed awarding organisations and is usually taught over about 6 days (including the first aid day).
How much does an SIA door supervisor licence cost?
The SIA licence application fee is £204 (increased from £184 on 1 April 2026) and is non-refundable. That is separate from your training course, which typically costs somewhere around £180-£350 depending on the provider and whether first aid is included. Budget roughly £400-£560 in total to qualify from scratch.
How long is a door supervisor licence valid for?
A frontline SIA door supervisor licence lasts 3 years. You must renew it before it expires (you can apply from 4 months before the expiry date), and renewal now requires completing refresher training first.
How old do I have to be to get an SIA door supervisor licence?
You must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence. There is no upper age limit, but you must meet the training, identity, right-to-work and criminal record check requirements.
Do I need to pass an exam to get my door supervisor licence?
Yes. The qualification includes multiple-choice exams for the knowledge units (working as a door supervisor, working in the private security industry, and conflict management) plus a practical physical intervention assessment. You must pass every unit. The exams are original assessments set by your awarding organisation - the practice questions on this site are for study only and are not the real exam.
How many units and exams are there?
There are four mandatory units: (1) Working as a Door Supervisor, (2) Working within the Private Security Industry, (3) Conflict Management, and (4) Physical Intervention Skills. Units 1-3 are assessed by multiple-choice exams; Unit 4 is assessed by a practical assessment plus a short knowledge check rather than a standard exam.
What is the pass mark for the door supervisor exams?
Awarding organisations set the pass mark per exam version and generally do not publish a single fixed percentage in their public specifications, so we do not quote a specific figure here. Your training provider will confirm the exact pass mark before you sit each exam. For the physical intervention unit you must demonstrate all techniques correctly and answer all safety-critical (e.g. positional asphyxia) questions correctly.
Is first aid training compulsory for the door supervisor course?
Yes. Since 1 April 2021 you must hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent that meets the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981) before you can start the door supervisor course. It is usually delivered as a 1-day course, often bundled into the training package.
Can I get an SIA licence if I have a criminal record?
Possibly. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. The SIA assesses each application on a case-by-case basis, looking at the nature, seriousness and age of any offences. You must declare your history honestly - the SIA runs a criminal record check as part of the application.
How do I renew my door supervisor licence?
You can apply to renew from 4 months before your licence expires. Since 1 April 2025 you must first complete the door supervisor refresher (top-up) qualification (about 2 days) and hold a valid first aid qualification. You then apply through your SIA online account, prove your identity again, and pay the £204 fee. If your licence lapses before you renew, you must apply for a brand-new licence instead.
Sources
Every figure on this page traces to a primary source below. Fee, duration, age, application and renewal facts verified against GOV.UK SIA guidance pages. Exam unit structure (question/mark counts and durations) verified against the Pearson BTEC Level 2 awarding-body specification; other awarding bodies (Highfield, BIIAB, SFJ, Qualification Network, Trident) vary slightly in exact mark counts. Pass-mark percentages are recorded as null because awarding bodies do not publish a single fixed figure in their public specifications - null over guess. Course prices are indicative ranges from provider listings, not fixed figures. This is independent guidance and is not affiliated with the SIA or any awarding body.
- Apply for an SIA licence - GOV.UK (fee £204, 3-year duration, age 18+, application steps, right to work, ID check, criminal record check) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- Renew your SIA licence - GOV.UK (4-month renewal window, £204 fee, refresher training requirement, first aid validity) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry - Specification, Issue 3 (unit structure, exam lengths and marks, TQT 45, GLH 33) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- SIA - Specification for Learning and Qualifications for Door Supervisors (August 2014) - SIA-mandated learning sessions and content — accessed 22 July 2026.
- Door supervisor job profile - National Careers Service (pay range c.£25,000-£30,000, working hours, where they work, entry requirements) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- Get Licensed - SIA licence fee change April 2026 (£184 to £204, £20 rebate removed) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- Get Licensed - Door Supervisor Licence Cost 2026 (course price range, first aid cost, £204 licence fee, total cost) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- SIA Training and Licensing - Door Supervisor Training 2026 (6-8 day duration, 45+ GLH, four units, typical cost £180-£300) — accessed 22 July 2026.
- My Licence - SIA Door Supervisor Course (example provider price £280, 6 days incl. free 1-day first aid) — accessed 22 July 2026.
Last reviewed 22 July 2026.
Pass the exams first time
Before you book a course, get a feel for the questions. Our free door supervisor mock tests mirror the exam style — no signup, no paywall.
DoorSupervisorTests is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) or any awarding body.