Major SIA Licensing Changes Coming in December 2025: What Security Professionals Need to Know

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has announced substantial updates to its licensing criteria that will take effect on 1 December 2025. These changes will influence anyone applying for a new licence, renewing an existing one, or entering the private security sector for the first time.

Although many requirements remain similar, several new categories and stricter assessment measures will have a direct impact on operatives, employers, and training providers. Below is a clear breakdown of the key updates, what they mean in practice, and how they may affect future licence applicants.

1. Expanded List of “Relevant Offences”

From December 2025, the SIA will consider a wider range of offences when assessing whether an individual is “fit and proper” to hold a licence. Newly specified categories include:

• Human trafficking and modern slavery

• Revenge pornography and upskirting

• Female genital mutilation (FGM)

• Domestic abuse offences

• Immigration-related offences

• Public-order offences

• Tax-related and company-law offences

The SIA has highlighted public protection as the main reason for this expansion. Even if an offence is not directly linked to security work, it may still impact an applicant’s suitability.

2. Stricter Treatment of Custodial Sentences

The assessment of prison sentences is being tightened:

• Custodial sentences of over 48 months will normally result in refusal.

• Custodial sentences of more than 12 months will trigger additional scrutiny and may lead to refusal depending on the circumstances.

Applicants with any form of custodial history should expect a more rigorous evaluation process.

3. Overseas Criminal Record Checks Extended to 10 Years

The SIA will now require overseas checks for anyone who has lived outside the UK for 6 or more continuous months within the last 10 years, rather than the previous 5-year window.

This applies to both new applications and renewals submitted after the rule change. Applicants should prepare early to obtain documents from relevant overseas authorities, as processing times can vary significantly by country.

4. New Categories of Refusal: “Absolute Refusal” and “Intention to Refuse”

The SIA is replacing its older, broader refusal categories with two more precise decision types.

A. Absolute Refusal

This is the most serious category. It applies where an applicant presents a clear safeguarding risk, including:

• Individuals on the sex offender register

• Multiple sexual offences

• Child-related offences

• Sexual misconduct committed while working in a security role

Appeals are extremely limited and are usually only considered when the SIA has incorrect or incomplete information.

B. Intention to Refuse

This applies to situations where the applicant may not meet the standard but circumstances allow for limited review. Examples include:

• A single sexual or child-related offence that does not meet the Absolute Refusal threshold

• A custodial sentence above 48 months where no safeguarding risk exists

Applicants may appeal, but must demonstrate that they do not present a risk to the public or the industry.

5. Greater Weight on “Other Information” Indicating Risk

The SIA will now consider a wider range of behavioural and professional indicators, such as:

• Disciplinary action from employers

• Professional sanctions or restrictions from membership bodies

• Patterns of abusive, threatening, or violent behaviour

• Conduct suggesting dishonesty or lack of integrity

These non-criminal factors will form part of the overall “fit and proper” assessment.

6. Who Will Be Affected?

Applicants

Anyone submitting a new licence application or renewal on or after 1 December 2025 will be assessed under the new rules.

Existing Licence Holders

Current licence holders remain unaffected unless the SIA receives new relevant information relating to them (e.g. a new conviction).

Employers & Training Providers

Companies recruiting operatives should be aware that:

• Some candidates who previously qualified may no longer be eligible.

• Overseas applicants may face longer verification times.

• Employers should update pre-employment screening procedures to reflect the new criteria.

7. What This Means for the Security Industry

These updates emphasise safeguarding, professional conduct, and strengthening public confidence in the sector. The changes are likely to:

• Improve overall industry standards

• Reduce risks associated with unsuitable operatives

• Increase administrative checks, especially for overseas applicants

• Require better internal vetting by employers

While the criteria are stricter, they also provide clearer guidance on how decisions will be made.

Conclusion

The SIA’s December 2025 changes represent one of the most significant updates to licensing in recent years. Anyone working in the security sector should understand how these new rules may affect applications, renewals, and recruitment processes.