What’s the Difference Between a Door Supervisor and a Security Officer?

SWBM ACADEMY
14 hours ago
2 min read

When choosing an SIA course, many people wonder: “Should I do the Door Supervisor course or the Security Officer course?” The answer depends on your career goals — but in most cases, the Door Supervisor licence is the better choice.

🛡️ The Door Supervisor Licence Covers Everything

Despite the name, a Door Supervisor licence is not just for working on nightclub doors. It is a full security licence that qualifies you for almost all roles available to Security Officers — and more.

With a Door Supervisor licence, you can:

Work in offices, shopping centres, construction sites, and corporate security
Patrol, monitor CCTV, control access, and write reports
PLUS work on licensed premises (pubs, clubs, bars, events) — which Security Officers cannot do

This makes it the most flexible and widely accepted licence in the industry.

🔐 Security Officer Licence – Limited in Scope

A Security Officer licence allows you to:

Work in static roles like shops, offices, receptions, warehouses, etc.
Patrol and protect non-licensed venues

However, it does not permit you to work in venues where alcohol is sold — such as bars and nightclubs — or at certain public events.

While the course is slightly shorter and may suit specific low-risk roles, it has fewer job opportunities compared to the Door Supervisor licence.

💼 Which One Should You Choose?

Unless you are absolutely certain you will never work on licensed premises or at events, the Door Supervisor course is the smarter investment. It qualifies you for all the roles covered by the Security Officer licence, and opens additional doors in nightlife and event security — often with better pay.