Not everyone with a security job stands on a door or patrols a site. If you manage or employ people who do, you may still need a licence of your own. That is what the non-front line licence is for.
The short version: you need a front line or non-front line licence if you manage, supervise or employ people who carry out licensable activities, or you are a director or partner of a business whose staff do. A non-front line licence needs no training qualification, but it does not let you do front line work yourself.
What it is
A non-front line licence is issued as a letter, not a photocard. It does not allow you to carry out front line licensable activities such as guarding or door supervision yourself, but it does allow you to act as a key holder. A front line licence covers everything a non-front line licence does, so if you hold one you do not need the other.
Who needs one
You must hold a front line or non-front line licence if:
- you manage, supervise and/or employ people who perform licensable activities (such as manned guarding or key holding) in their job
- you are a director of a company, or a partner in a firm, where other directors, partners or employees perform licensable activities
The GOV.UK page also says you need either licence if you are a director, partner, or manager or supervisor and your business supplies security operatives to others under a contract for services. A typical example is a security company that places a guard in a shop and charges the shop for the service.
Who does not need one
You do not need a licence if your only role is to manage or employ people who work in-house. In-house work usually does not need a licence, except for door supervision at licensed premises and vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland. You also do not need one if the conditions above do not apply to you. See our guide to working without a licence for the exempt activities.
Training and cost
No licence-linked qualification is needed for a non-front line licence. The fee is the same as other licences, £204 for three years. See our cost guide. You still need to prove your identity, pass criminal record checks, and (unless you are a director of a UK-registered company, see our non-UK citizens guide) have the right to work in the UK.
Which should you apply for?
Apply for non-front line if you will not personally work as a security operative. If you will, for example a company owner who also works the door, you need the front line licence for that activity, which also covers the non-front line duties. See the other licences in our key holder and other licences guide.
Quick questions
Do I need an SIA licence to manage security guards?
If you manage, supervise or employ people who carry out licensable activities, yes, unless they work purely in-house (and the work is not door supervision at licensed premises).
Does a non-front line licence let me work as a guard?
No. It does not cover front line activities. A front line licence covers both.
Is there a qualification for a non-front line licence?
No.
What does the licence look like?
It is issued as a letter, not a photocard.
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Build my free Career PassportRelated guides
- Key holder, cash in transit and other licences
- Working without an SIA licence
- How much does an SIA licence cost?