The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is implementing significant changes to its licensing criteria from 1 December 2025, marking the most comprehensive update to private security industry standards in recent years. These changes, developed following an extensive public consultation that received 3,392 responses, aim to improve standards across the sector and better protect the public.
If you’re a security professional or considering entering the industry, understanding these updates is essential. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the new licensing requirements and how they might affect your career.
When Will the New Rules Apply?
The updated licensing criteria will come into effect on 1 December 2025, but it’s crucial to understand when these rules will actually apply to you:
New Applications and Renewals
The new rules will apply immediately if you:
- Submit a new licence application from 1 December onwards
- Apply to renew your existing licence from this date
- Hold a current licence and the SIA receives new information about you that triggers a suitability review (such as a recent criminal conviction)
Current Licence Holders
If you already hold an SIA licence, there’s important news: the new rules will not automatically apply to your existing licence unless one of the following occurs:
- You apply for a new or renewed licence
- The SIA receives new information about you that requires them to review your suitability
This means existing licence holders can continue operating under the current criteria until their next renewal or until circumstances change that prompt a review.
Expanded List of Relevant Offences
One of the most significant changes involves a substantial expansion of the ‘relevant offences’ list – the criminal offences the SIA considers when determining your suitability to hold a licence.
Why This Matters
The SIA assesses every applicant’s criminal record against this list of relevant offences. By expanding and updating this list, the Authority is ensuring that licensing decisions reflect contemporary concerns and provide better public protection.
New Offences Being Added
From 1 December 2025, the relevant offences list will include serious crimes that weren’t previously explicitly covered:
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Given the security industry’s role in protecting vulnerable people and premises, offences related to human trafficking and modern slavery will now be considered. Security professionals must demonstrate they pose no risk in situations where they might encounter or be expected to identify potential victims.
Given the security industry’s role in protecting vulnerable people and premises, offences related to human trafficking and modern slavery will now be considered. Security professionals must demonstrate they pose no risk in situations where they might encounter or be expected to identify potential victims.
Revenge Porn and Digital Abuse
As technology evolves, so do forms of abuse. Revenge porn offences demonstrate a concerning disregard for others’ dignity and privacy – qualities incompatible with the trusted position security professionals hold.
As technology evolves, so do forms of abuse. Revenge porn offences demonstrate a concerning disregard for others’ dignity and privacy – qualities incompatible with the trusted position security professionals hold.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
FGM offences reflect serious safeguarding failures and will now be considered when assessing an applicant’s suitability to work in a position of trust and responsibility.
FGM offences reflect serious safeguarding failures and will now be considered when assessing an applicant’s suitability to work in a position of trust and responsibility.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse convictions raise significant concerns about an individual’s temperament, judgment, and ability to exercise appropriate restraint – all critical qualities for security professionals.
Domestic abuse convictions raise significant concerns about an individual’s temperament, judgment, and ability to exercise appropriate restraint – all critical qualities for security professionals.
New Categories of Offences
Beyond specific crimes, the SIA is introducing entirely new categories of offences to the relevant list:
Immigration Offences
These offences demonstrate disregard for UK law and may indicate involvement in criminal networks – concerns particularly relevant given the security industry’s role in protecting borders and premises.
These offences demonstrate disregard for UK law and may indicate involvement in criminal networks – concerns particularly relevant given the security industry’s role in protecting borders and premises.
Public Order Offences
Security professionals regularly work in situations requiring de-escalation and calm judgment. Public order offences may indicate an inability to manage conflict appropriately.
Security professionals regularly work in situations requiring de-escalation and calm judgment. Public order offences may indicate an inability to manage conflict appropriately.
Tax Evasion Offences
Financial crimes like tax evasion demonstrate dishonesty and disregard for legal obligations – character traits incompatible with the integrity expected of licence holders.
Financial crimes like tax evasion demonstrate dishonesty and disregard for legal obligations – character traits incompatible with the integrity expected of licence holders.
Company Law Offences
For those operating security businesses or in management positions, company law offences indicate poor business ethics and potential untrustworthiness.
For those operating security businesses or in management positions, company law offences indicate poor business ethics and potential untrustworthiness.
This comprehensive expansion ensures the SIA can consider a fuller picture of an applicant’s character and suitability for working in the private security industry.
Two New Refusal Categories: Absolute Refusal and Intention to Refuse
Currently, the SIA operates with two refusal categories: ‘automatic refusal’ and ‘consider additional factors’. From 1 December 2025, two additional categories will be introduced, creating a more nuanced approach to licensing decisions.
Absolute Refusal: The Highest Bar
The new ‘absolute refusal’ category represents the most serious level of unsuitability and applies to applicants (who don’t already hold an SIA licence) in the following circumstances:
Sex Offenders Register
If you are on a sex offenders register due to your offending, or you are subject to a sexual harm prevention order or sexual risk order, you will face absolute refusal.
If you are on a sex offenders register due to your offending, or you are subject to a sexual harm prevention order or sexual risk order, you will face absolute refusal.
Multiple Sexual or Child Abuse Offences
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for more than one sexual offence or child abuse/neglect offence – this could mean one or more offences from both categories – you will be absolutely refused.
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for more than one sexual offence or child abuse/neglect offence – this could mean one or more offences from both categories – you will be absolutely refused.
Sexual Offences in Positions of Trust
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for any sexual offence committed:
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for any sexual offence committed:
- In the course of your employment as an SIA licence holder
- In a position of trust or responsibility
You will face absolute refusal.
Limited Appeal Rights
Under the absolute refusal category, appeal rights are severely restricted. The SIA will only accept an appeal that demonstrates their decision is based on incorrect information – for example, if the criminal record assessed doesn’t actually belong to you.
You cannot appeal on the grounds that you’ve been rehabilitated or that you pose no risk to the public. This reflects the serious nature of the offences involved and the SIA’s commitment to public protection.
Special Provision for Current Licence Holders
If you already hold an SIA licence and any of the absolute refusal criteria apply to you, you will instead fall into the ‘intention to refuse’ category, which offers slightly broader appeal rights.
Intention to Refuse: A New Middle Ground
The ‘intention to refuse’ category sits between absolute refusal and the existing categories, applying in specific circumstances:
Single Sexual or Child Abuse Offences
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for a sexual offence or child abuse/neglect offence, but you don’t meet the criteria for absolute refusal, you’ll fall into this category.
If you have a conviction or other criminal disposal for a sexual offence or child abuse/neglect offence, but you don’t meet the criteria for absolute refusal, you’ll fall into this category.
Lengthy Custodial Sentences
If you have a custodial sentence of more than 48 months on your criminal record (unless you fall into the automatic refusal category), you’ll be placed in the intention to refuse category.
If you have a custodial sentence of more than 48 months on your criminal record (unless you fall into the automatic refusal category), you’ll be placed in the intention to refuse category.
Appeal Rights
The intention to refuse category offers broader appeal rights than absolute refusal. The SIA will accept an appeal if either:
- It demonstrates their decision is based on incorrect information (such as a criminal record that isn’t yours)
- It convinces them that you are not a risk to the public
For current licence holders, the SIA will also consider your record as a licence holder when making their decision, potentially taking into account your professional conduct and any positive contributions to the industry.
Changes to How Custodial Sentences Are Considered
The SIA is refining its approach to custodial sentences, particularly those exceeding 12 months.
The ‘Consider Additional Factors’ Category
If you have a custodial sentence of more than 12 months on your criminal record, you will fall into the ‘consider additional factors’ category. This means your application won’t be automatically refused, but it will receive enhanced scrutiny.
Your Appeal Rights
Under this category, the SIA will accept an appeal if either:
- It shows their decision is based on incorrect information (for example, the criminal record assessed isn’t actually yours)
- It convinces them that you are fit and proper to hold a licence
This second ground is significant. It means you can present evidence of rehabilitation, positive character references, evidence of employment stability, completion of relevant training, or other factors that demonstrate you’re suitable to work in the security industry despite your past conviction.
What ‘Fit and Proper’ Means
The ‘fit and proper’ test is broader than simply demonstrating you’re not a risk. It requires you to show you possess the character, integrity, and reliability expected of security professionals. This might include:
- Evidence of time elapsed since the offence
- Steps taken toward rehabilitation
- Positive references from employers or community members
- Relevant qualifications or training completed
- Demonstration of insight into past behaviour
Extended Overseas Criminal Record Checks
The SIA is strengthening its requirements for overseas criminal record checks, recognising that public protection requires a comprehensive understanding of an applicant’s full history.
Current Requirements
Under the current rules, if you’ve lived outside the UK for a continuous period of six months or more in the last five years, you must provide evidence of a criminal record check for each country where you spent time during that period.
New Requirements from 1 December 2025
From 1 December, this requirement will be extended. You’ll need to provide overseas criminal record checks if you’ve lived outside the UK for a continuous period of six months or more in the last 10 years (doubled from the current five-year period).
What This Means in Practice
This change significantly extends the period the SIA will scrutinise. If you’ve lived or worked abroad at any point in the last decade for six months or longer, you’ll need to:
- Obtain criminal record checks from each relevant country
- Ensure these checks are properly translated if not in English
- Submit them as part of your licence application
Planning Ahead
Obtaining overseas criminal record checks can be time-consuming, particularly from countries with less developed administrative systems. If you know you’ll need to renew your licence or apply for a new one, start this process well in advance to avoid delays.
The SIA website provides guidance on acceptable overseas criminal record checks and how to obtain them from different countries.
Expanded ‘Other Information’ Criteria
Beyond criminal convictions, the SIA has always had the power to consider other information when assessing whether you’re fit and proper to hold a licence. From 1 December, they’re explicitly expanding the types of information they’ll consider.
Current ‘Other Information’ Examples
The SIA can currently consider information such as:
- County court judgments against you
- Fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder
- Video footage showing you acting contrary to what’s expected of an SIA licence holder
New Information Types from 1 December
The updated criteria explicitly include additional examples:
Misconduct or Disciplinary Proceedings
The SIA will consider whether you are, or have been, subject to misconduct or other disciplinary proceedings, or restrictions imposed by a competent body. This could include:
The SIA will consider whether you are, or have been, subject to misconduct or other disciplinary proceedings, or restrictions imposed by a competent body. This could include:
- Disciplinary action by previous employers
- Proceedings by professional bodies
- Restrictions imposed by other regulatory authorities
- Warnings or sanctions from industry organisations
Predatory or Abusive Sexual Behaviour
Even if it hasn’t resulted in a criminal conviction, the SIA will consider whether you’ve been involved in predatory or otherwise abusive sexual behaviour. This recognises that not all concerning behaviour results in criminal proceedings, but may still indicate unsuitability for a position of trust.
Even if it hasn’t resulted in a criminal conviction, the SIA will consider whether you’ve been involved in predatory or otherwise abusive sexual behaviour. This recognises that not all concerning behaviour results in criminal proceedings, but may still indicate unsuitability for a position of trust.
Domestic Violence or Abuse
Similarly, the SIA will consider involvement in domestic violence or abuse, even without a criminal conviction. This might include:
Similarly, the SIA will consider involvement in domestic violence or abuse, even without a criminal conviction. This might include:
- Civil protection orders
- Police intelligence reports
- Credible allegations from multiple sources
- Patterns of behaviour reported by former partners
Why This Matters
This expansion recognises that criminal convictions don’t capture the full picture of someone’s suitability to work in security. By considering a broader range of information, the SIA can make more informed decisions that better protect the public.
Your Right to Respond
If the SIA considers ‘other information’ about you, you’ll have the opportunity to respond, provide context, and present your side of the story. It’s crucial to engage with this process and provide any mitigating evidence or explanations.
What These Changes Mean for Security Professionals
These updates represent a significant strengthening of SIA licensing standards. Here’s what you need to know:
For Current Licence Holders
If you hold a current licence and have no new criminal convictions or concerning information, you can continue working as normal. The new rules won’t apply to your existing licence until you apply for renewal or until new information comes to light.
However, it’s wise to:
- Review the new criteria to understand how they might affect your next renewal
- Ensure your conduct both professionally and personally meets the higher standards
- Start gathering overseas criminal record checks early if you’ll need them
- Maintain good records of your professional conduct and any positive contributions to the industry
For New Applicants
If you’re planning to enter the security industry, be aware that standards are rising. Before applying:
- Carefully review the expanded list of relevant offences
- Obtain any necessary overseas criminal record checks well in advance
- Consider whether any aspects of your history might trigger the new refusal categories
- Prepare evidence of your good character and suitability for the role
For Those with Past Convictions
If you have convictions on your record, the new categories provide clarity about how your application will be assessed. Understanding which category you fall into helps you prepare an appropriate appeal if necessary.
Remember that many people with past convictions successfully obtain SIA licences by demonstrating rehabilitation and fitness to hold a licence. The key is honest disclosure and compelling evidence of your current suitability.
Where to Find More Information
The SIA has published comprehensive guidance about these changes. For detailed information, visit:
You can also contact the SIA directly if you have specific questions about how the new criteria might apply to your circumstances.
Conclusion: Higher Standards, Better Protection
The December 2025 licensing updates represent the SIA’s commitment to raising standards across the private security industry. By expanding the range of offences considered, introducing new refusal categories, extending overseas checks, and considering a broader range of information, the Authority is ensuring that only those who are truly fit and proper hold licences.
For professional security operatives who maintain high standards of conduct, these changes reinforce the industry’s reputation and public trust. For those entering the industry or renewing licences, understanding these requirements is essential for a smooth application process.
The security industry plays a vital role in protecting people, property, and assets across the UK. These strengthened licensing criteria ensure that those entrusted with this responsibility meet the highest standards of character, integrity, and professionalism.
As 1 December 2025 approaches, now is the time to review your circumstances, gather any necessary documentation, and ensure you’re prepared for the new licensing landscape. The investment in meeting these higher standards benefits not just individual security professionals, but the entire industry and the public we serve.
