To work as a SIA Close Protection Operative (CPO) or Bodyguard (BG) in the UK you will need to have an SIA licence issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

One of the requirements of the SIA licence is that you hold a recognised qualification, and the BTEC Level 3 Close Protection Operative from EDEXCEL meets the requirement for the SIA Licence.

The SIA Close Protection course is run over fourteen days and has 150 hours of tuition and 1.5 hours of exams. The exams consist of one multiple-choice paper.

A Close Protection licence is required when guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others. This applies if your services are supplied for the purposes of or in connection with any contract to a consumer.

NOTE: If you work as a Close Protection Operative, SIA door supervisor or Security Officer without an SIA licence you are liable up to a fine of £5000 and/or up to 6 months in prison. For more information on SIA licensing or the SIA SIA door supervisors course please call us for details.

We run the Close Protection Operative course in Gosport near Portsmouth and Southampton

New entrants to the security industry and those who are returning to it having previously worked prior to the introduction of SIA licensing in 2004. Everyone will need to undertake the SIA training to be able to apply for the SIA licence.

Exemptions may apply if appropriate qualifications from a recognised Awarding Body were obtained less than three years ago. Please call us for full details.

The SIA recognised Level 3 Close Protection Operatives will enable you to apply to the SIA for a SIA door supervisor licence, and by obtaining this SIA licence you will increase your employment opportunities.

You can work as a Close Protection Operative, SIA door supervisor or Security Officer.

Although the course syllabus will provide you with the basic knowledge needed to pass the exams, our instructors will also demonstrate to you the real life practicalities of being a SIA Close Protection Operative, SIA SIA door supervisor or SIA Security Guard, so that when you eventually start work you will feel much more confident in your new role.

The recognised SIA qualification consists of five units:

Unit 1: Skills and Teamwork in Close Protection

Unit 2: Legislation, Communications and Conflict Management Skills

in Close Protection

Unit 3: Risk Assessment, Operational Planning and Safe Route

Selection

Unit 4: Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Incidents and Dilemmas

Unit 5: Techniques for Close Protection Operatives

More Details can be found here
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/BTEC%20specialist%20and%20short%20course%20qualifications/241643_BA017280_Close_Protection_Operations_L3.pdf

What is the length of the course?

14 Days CP
17 Days CP + FAAW

Where can the qualification be taken and how much does it cost?

Our training centre is in Gosport, PO12 4LJ, and the cost of the course is £1500 Including 4* Accommodation or £1700 Including 4* Accommodation and First aid at work training required for you to obtain your SIA Licence
 
 













Any special requirements?

In order for you to obtain your SIA Licence you must have a valid First Aid at Work certificate, which we will need to see on first day of training

A Criminality Check will be done on your behalf by the SIA on application, as well as checking your identity, training, and criminal record, they may also look at three other types of information.
Mental Health
The right to work
Other information

for more information regarding this please go the security industry Authorities web site www.the-sia.org.uk

Cost of a Licence

The licence application fee is £245 for a three year licence. The fee is to cover the cost of processing your application and is not refundable.

If you pay your own licence fee you will be able to claim tax relief against your taxable income. For example, if you pay the basic rate of tax the relief is worth £53.90. If you are an employer paying the licence fee on behalf of an employee there will be no tax or National Insurance liability.

Some security operatives may need more than one licence; in such cases the second licence will be discounted by 50%. So if you already hold an SIA licence in Door supervision or Security the the Licence cost will be £122.50.