Guidance

Check if you need an SIA licence to work at an event

Find out how SIA licensing applies to event staff.

• From: Security Industry Authority
• Published: 8 October 2020
• Last updated: 29 March 2021 — See all updates

If you are working at an event (for example, a concert or a festival) then you may need an SIA licence. This page explains when you will and will not need a licence.

You should seek independent legal advice if you are still not sure whether you need a licence after reading this page.

When you need an SIA licence

Licensed premises

You need a door supervisor licence if all of the following statements are true:

• you provide a physical presence to guard against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour
• your work is in relation to licensed premises
• you work when the premises are open to the public, at times when alcohol is being supplied for consumption, or regulated entertainment is being provided on the premises

‘Licensed premises’ means a venue that has a licence to sell alcohol and/or provide regulated entertainment (for example, live music or film screenings).

The requirement for a door supervisor licence applies if either of the following statements is true:

• your work is part of a contract for services
• you work ‘in-house’ (that is, employed directly by the company running the event)

A ‘contract for services’ is when you or your employer have a contract to supply your services to another organisation. An example of this would be where your employer is a private security company, and your job is to stop people who have not paid from entering the event.

Other premises

You need a security guard licence if all of the following statements are true:

• you provide a physical presence to guard against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour
• your work is part of a contract for services
• your work is not in relation to licensed premises

A ‘contract for services’ is when you or your employer have a contract to supply your services to another organisation. An example of this would be where your employer is a private security company, and your job is to stop people who have not paid from entering the event.

Other activities

You need an SIA licence if the work you will be doing is part of a ‘contract for services’ and involves any of the following licensable activities:

• guarding people against physical assault or injury (close protection)
• guarding property against damage or theft and transporting it in a vehicle designed for secure transportation (cash and valuables in transit)
• guarding premises, property or people by using CCTV equipment (public space surveillance (CCTV))
• keeping, or controlling access to, any key or device for operating a lock (key holding)
• preventing or restricting the movement of a vehicle, or removing it, and then charging the owner to release it (vehicle immobilisation) in Northern Ireland
• managing or supervising anyone carrying out the licensable activities listed above, including security guarding and door supervision

A ‘contract for services’ is when you or your employer have a contract to supply your services to another organisation.

When you do not need a licence

You do not need a licence to:

• work as an unpaid volunteer, unless you are working as a vehicle immobiliser in Northern Ireland (‘unpaid’ does not just refer to money: you must not receive any reward, benefit, or payment in kind)
• check people have paid for entry to an event or that they have an invitation - but if you then refuse them entry and/or make them leave, you will need a licence
• perform stewarding duties, such as directing people to their seats, toilets or first-aid facilities

You do not need a licence to work in-house at a certified sports ground in England or Wales (a certified sports ground is one that has an active sports ground safety certificate). If another team visits your certified sports ground, their employees will not need a licence if that team also has a certified sports ground.

Find out more

Read our ‘Security at events’ guidance to find out more.

Published 8 October 2020
Last updated 29 March 2021 + show all updates

1. 29 March 2021

   Updated to be clearer on when a licence is required. Added a link to the 'Security at events' guidance.

2. 8 October 2020

   First published.