You have spent years on the door. You know how to handle a crowd, spot trouble before it starts, and keep people safe. Now your SIA licence renewal is coming up — and you have just discovered that paying the fee is no longer enough.
Since October 2021, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has made it compulsory for every existing Door Supervisor and Security Guard to complete an approved SIA Top-Up Training programme before their licence can be renewed. Miss the deadline, and your badge is suspended. No badge means no legal right to work — not even one shift.
At National Training GB, we specialise in getting experienced security operatives through their Level 2 SIA Refresher Course quickly, efficiently, and back earning money without unnecessary disruption.
Quick Answer: The Level 2 SIA Refresher Course — officially called SIA Top-Up Training — is the mandatory qualification required to renew a Door Supervisor (Blue Badge) or Security Guard (Green Badge) licence. Introduced in October 2021, it covers Counter-Terrorism Awareness (ACT), Physical Intervention, and First Aid. It can be completed in 1–2 days and must be done before submitting your SIA renewal application
What Is the Level 2 SIA Refresher Course (Top-Up Training)?
“Top-Up Training” is the official SIA term for what the industry calls the SIA Refresher Course or Level 2 SIA Renewal Course. It is not a full re-qualification — it is a structured update to your existing licence, designed specifically for experienced operatives who already hold a valid or recently expired SIA badge.
The course was introduced following two major developments: the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry (which made counter-terrorism training a legal requirement for licensed security professionals) and revised national standards for Physical Intervention safety. Together, these changes made it impossible for the SIA to accept renewals without evidence of updated training.
There are two distinct Top-Up courses, and choosing the wrong one is one of the most damaging and common mistakes in the industry:
| Current SIA Licence | Required Top-Up Course | Duration | Physical Intervention Included? |
| Door Supervisor (Blue Badge) | Door Supervisor Top-Up | 2 Days | ✅ Yes |
| Security Guard (Green Badge) | Security Guard Top-Up | 1 Day | ❌ No |
| Close Protection Operative | CP Top-Up | 3–5 Days | ✅ Yes |
Instructor’s Verdict:If you hold a Door Supervisor (Blue Badge) but book the cheaper Security Guard Top-Up to save money, you will be permanently downgraded to a Green Badge. The SIA will not reverse this without a full course retake. Always protect your Door Supervisor licence — it is your most valuable career asset in this industry.
SIA Top-Up Training Curriculum: What You Will Actually Learn
You might be thinking: “I’ve been doing this job for a decade — what is there left to teach me?”
This is not about the basics of standing at a door. The Top-Up Training covers three areas where the law, the science, and the threat landscape have genuinely changed since most experienced operatives first qualified.
Module 1: Counter-Terrorism Awareness (ACT — Action Counters Terrorism)
Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry, ACT Awareness Training became mandatory for all SIA-licensed professionals. This module is operational, not academic. You will learn:
- Hostile Reconnaissance Recognition — how to identify individuals covertly surveying your venue as a potential target
- Run, Hide, Tell Protocol — how to manage a live attack scenario, direct members of the public, and communicate with emergency services in real time
- Pre-Attack Indicators in Crowds — detecting abnormal behaviour patterns in queuing environments and public spaces
- Incident Communication — structured protocols for working alongside police and armed response teams during a major incident
The ACT self-study content can be completed online via the official government platform. However, the course examination must be completed in person.
Module 2: Physical Intervention Refresher (Door Supervisors Only)
Physical intervention standards in the UK have been significantly revised. Techniques that were considered acceptable five years ago may now be classified as dangerous, unlawful, or indefensible in a civil claim. This module updates your muscle memory and legal awareness on:
- Safe escort and restraint techniques that comply with current SIA-approved standards
- Positional Asphyxia — the leading cause of death during security restraint incidents, and how to prevent it
- Injury risk reduction for both the operative and the individual being managed
- Legal use of body-worn cameras (BWV) during and after physical interventions
- Post-incident recording and evidence preservation
This module cannot be completed online. Face-to-face delivery with a qualified trainer is mandatory under SIA regulations.
Module 3: Equipment, Communication and Legislation
This module covers the legal framework around modern security tools and communication responsibilities, including the correct use of body-worn cameras under UK data protection law, effective radio and verbal communication with emergency services, and updated legislation affecting licensed premises and public event security.
Who Needs the SIA Top-Up Course?
This course IS for you if:
- Your SIA licence expires within the next 4 months — the SIA recommends beginning the renewal process at least 3–4 months before expiry to allow time for processing
- You have not completed training since before April 2021 — your existing qualification is now outdated under the current SIA framework
- You hold a Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence and want to maintain your current badge grade and continue working legally
- Your employer requires evidence of updated training before allocating shifts
This course is NOT for you if:
- You are new to the security industry — new entrants require the full Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors (typically 6 days), not the refresher course
- Your licence expired more than 3 years ago — you may need to retake the full qualification; contact National Training GB to confirm before booking
SIA Assessor and Security Career Earnings: What Keeping Your Licence Is Worth
Losing your SIA badge does not just cost you one week of shifts. It removes you from the market entirely until renewal is complete — and depending on how close to expiry you leave it, that gap could stretch for months.
| Security Role | Average Earnings | Licence Required |
| Door Supervisor (Venue / Events) | £13–£18 per hour | Door Supervisor (Blue Badge) |
| Security Guard (Retail / Commercial) | £11–£15 per hour | Security Guard (Green Badge) |
| Close Protection Operative | £300–£600+ per day | CP Licence |
| Freelance End Point Assessor (Security) | £200+ per day | Door Supervisor + CAVA |
The Door Supervisor Top-Up costs a fraction of a single week’s lost earnings. The calculation is straightforward.
The First Aid Prerequisite — The Number One Reason Operatives Are Turned Away
Before booking your Top-Up course, check one thing immediately: your Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate.
You must hold a valid EFAW certificate to sit the SIA Top-Up Training. If your EFAW has expired — or has fewer than 12 months remaining — you will not be permitted to begin the course on the day. This is the single most common reason experienced operatives lose their booking fee and their training day.
The practical solution: National Training GB offers a First Aid + Top-Up bundle. Your EFAW refresher runs directly before your Top-Up course — one booking, one trip, two certificates. No wasted days and no last-minute surprises.
Why Choose National Training GB for Your SIA Refresher Course?
We understand that every day off the door is a day without income. Our entire delivery model is built around that reality.
- Weekend courses — Top-Up training scheduled on weekends so you do not lose weekday shifts
- Instant SIA database upload — results submitted to the SIA system immediately after course completion, critical when your expiry date is close
- All exam fees included — our course price covers everything; no hidden costs
- First Aid + Top-Up bundles — handle both mandatory requirements in a single booking
- Active industry trainers — our tutors work in the security sector. They respect your experience and focus training time on the new material that actually matters
Frequently Asked Questions — SIA Licence Renewal and Top-Up Training
How far in advance should I book my SIA Top-Up Training?
Book at least 3 to 4 months before your licence expiry date. The SIA renewal process requires time for results to be processed and your application to clear their system. Leaving it to the final month is a serious risk.
Can the Level 2 SIA Refresher Course be completed entirely online?
No. The ACT counter-terrorism self-study content is available online, but the Physical Intervention assessment and the formal examination must be completed face-to-face. There is currently no fully remote pathway approved by the SIA.
What happens if I fail the Top-Up course?
Failure is uncommon for experienced operatives, but it does happen. National Training GB provides re-sit support for all candidates. The critical factor is not to leave booking so late that a re-sit before your expiry date becomes impossible.
I hold a Door Supervisor licence but mostly work security guarding shifts. Which course do I need?
You need the Door Supervisor Top-Up. This protects your Blue Badge, which legally covers you for both door supervision and security guarding roles. Taking only the Security Guard Top-Up will downgrade your licence — permanently and immediately.
What if my licence has already expired?
If your licence has been expired for fewer than 3 years, you may still be able to renew via the Top-Up route. If it has been expired for more than 3 years, you will likely need to retake the full Level 2 Door Supervisor course. Contact National Training GB directly to confirm your specific situation before booking.
Does completing the Top-Up course count towards CPD?
Yes. Completion of the Level 2 SIA Refresher Course is recognised as continuing professional development and is increasingly required by employers and venue operators beyond the minimum SIA renewal requirement.
Your Licence Is Your Livelihood — Protect It
Imagine logging into your SIA portal and seeing “Licence Suspended.” No shifts. No pay. No legal right to work — not in any venue, not for any employer, not for a single hour.
The Level 2 SIA Top-Up Training is a one or two-day course. A licence suspension is indefinite. The maths are simple.
Check your expiry date right now. If your renewal is within the next four months, your next step is to secure your place on the next available course.
→ Check Pricing & Enrol in the Level 2 SIA Top-Up Training Today !
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Security Industry Authority – GOV.UK
Security Industry Association (SIA) – Information.Insight.Influence.