Course information
Course Overview
This regulated qualification is designed for existing Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisors who need to meet the updated licence-linked qualification requirements. It refreshes the knowledge and practical skills required to continue working as a licensed door supervisor in the private security industry.
The qualification is regulated by Ofqual and supports learners in maintaining the knowledge, competence and practical skills required for their workplace role.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for learners aged 18 or over who currently hold a valid SIA Door Supervisor licence and need requalification training to renew it.
This qualification is mandatory for SIA Door Supervisor licence renewal and meets the SIA’s requalification training requirements.
Skills Covered
The qualification comprises two mandatory units:
- Unit 1 – Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor (Refresher): Effective search procedures, protecting vulnerable people, understanding terrorism threats, the security operative’s responsibilities and safeguarding the public from incidents of spiking. This unit includes a practical search assessment.
- Unit 2 – Application of Physical Intervention Skills (Refresher): The legal, professional and risk implications of physical intervention, dynamic risk assessment, personal protection, disengagement and non-pain-compliant holding and escorting techniques. This unit includes a practical demonstration and oral questioning.
- Using communication devices correctly
- Conducting safe and effective searches
- Recognising and responding to risks involving vulnerable people
- Understanding the door supervisor’s role during terrorism-related incidents
- Applying safe disengagement, holding and escorting techniques
Entry Requirements
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Licence requirement: Learners must hold a valid SIA Door Supervisor licence
- First-aid requirement: Learners must hold a current Emergency First Aid at Work or equivalent first-aid certificate that meets HSE requirements and remains valid for at least 12 months from the course start date
- Language: English or Welsh competence equivalent to B2 CEFR, ESOL Level 1 or Functional Skills Level 1 is required
Qualification Duration
- Total Qualification Time: 26 hours
- Guided Learning Hours: 21 hours
- Minimum contact time: 11 hours and 15 minutes over approximately 1.5 days when supported by self-study
Self Study Information
This course can be supported self-study to reduce the required classroom contact time.
Learners must complete all assigned self-study before attending the course and provide evidence of completion.
Up to 9 hours and 45 minutes may be completed through authorised e-learning and approved self-study materials:
- Unit 1 – Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor (Refresher): 4 hours and 45 minutes
- Effective search procedures: 30 minutes
- Protecting vulnerable people: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Terror threats and the role of the security operative: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Safeguarding the public from spiking: 45 minutes
- Unit 2 – Application of Physical Intervention Skills (Refresher): 5 hours
- The implications of physical intervention
- Risks associated with physical intervention
- Reducing the risks associated with physical intervention
The terrorism-related learning outcome must be completed using authorised ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) e-learning. A valid ACT certificate obtained within the 12 months before the course may be accepted as recognition of prior learning.
Self-study may consist of online learning, workbooks or other approved learning materials.
Important: Self-study must be completed before the course begins. When supported self-study is used, the qualification requires at least 11 hours and 15 minutes of contact time over a minimum of 1.5 days. Without self-study, the required contact time is 21 hours over three days.
Assessment Method
The qualification is assessed separately across its two mandatory units:
- Unit 1 theory assessment: A 35-question, externally set and marked multiple-choice examination lasting 55 minutes. The pass mark is 71%.
- Unit 1 practical assessment: An internally assessed observation covering the use of communication devices and conducting a search. The assessment must be video recorded, and learners must achieve 100%.
- Unit 2 theory assessment: A 30-question, externally set and marked multiple-choice examination lasting 45 minutes. The pass mark is 80%.
- Unit 2 practical assessment: An internally assessed observation covering all physical-intervention techniques taught, together with an oral question-and-answer assessment. The assessment must be video recorded, and learners must achieve 100% across all components.
Pass requirements: Learners must pass every theory and practical assessment component. Practical assessments for both units must be video recorded and retained by the training centre.


