By Nick Player - December 2025

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has released a press announcement detailing new mandatory refresher training for Close Protection (CP) operatives who wish to renew their licence.

Key Dates and Requirements

• Mandatory Refresher Training: From Tuesday, 1 April 2026, Close Protection operatives must successfully complete this new refresher training to renew their SIA licence.
• Training Availability: The new refresher qualification will be available from 1 October 2025.
• SIA Recommendation: Licence holders who plan to renew are strongly encouraged to take the training as soon as it becomes available to ensure readiness for the mandatory date.
• Reasoning: This training updates safety-critical skills and ensures all operatives maintain the same high standard of competence, especially since most licence holders will have completed the previous 'top-up' training by October 2025.
• Transition Period: The six-month window between the training's availability (Oct 2025) and its mandatory date (Apr 2026) is designed to allow industry, training providers, and individuals sufficient time to plan and budget.

Content of the New Refresher Training

The new refresher qualification focuses on updating skills in areas deemed critical to public safety and subject to skills fade. It also requires the presentation of a relevant first aid qualification.

The training content will include:

• Physical Intervention
• Conducting Searches
• Protecting people in vulnerable situations
• Terror Threat Awareness

Impact on Licence Integration

• A Close Protection licence currently allows the holder to work as a Door Supervisor or Security Guard due to licence integration rules.
• The CP refresher training includes critical elements of the Door Supervision and Security Guarding training.
• This ensures that operatives using their CP licence to work in these other roles will also have the required and up-to-date skills and knowledge to continue working across the integrated sectors.

SIA's Statement on the Initiative

Tony Holyland, Head of Individual Standards for the SIA, highlighted the rationale:

• Close Protection operatives are security professionals responsible for protecting individuals from threats.
• The training ensures operatives continue to have the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake their role safely.
• Content was agreed upon after seeking views from subject matter experts in the Close Protection field.
• It is essential that training is regularly updated to respond to emerging risks and threats to public safety.

Future Outlook: Strategic Review

• The SIA will undertake a strategic review of the licence-linked qualifications over the next two years.
• The main objective is to ensure qualifications remain relevant, improve industry professionalism, and further enhance public safety.
• The review will ensure that qualifications:
• Are fit-for-purpose and reflect up-to-date skills/knowledge to minimise risk.
• Keep industry skills current in areas critical to public safety.
• Drive quality in the delivery of qualifications.