Did Your Security Course Just Become Invalid? What the BIIAB Ban Means for Your SIA Licence Right Now

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August 31, 2026

On August 31, 2026

If you are studying for an SIA licence, the BIIAB deadline may affect your next step.

On 10 August 2026, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) formally ended BIIAB’s endorsement as an awarding organisation for SIA licence-linked qualifications.

The decision followed a fraud investigation and serious concerns about training malpractice, qualification controls and compliance.

This does not mean every BIIAB security qualification is automatically invalid.

The key point is simple:

BIIAB qualifications awarded before 10 August 2026 remain valid and can still be used towards an SIA licence application within the applicable three-year rules.

If you have not started or completed your course, check the awarding organisation before you pay, attend training or continue with your current provider.

BIIAB DEADLINE: THE KEY FACTS

The SIA ended its endorsement of BIIAB on 10 August 2026.
BIIAB must not issue new SIA licence-linked qualifications after the deadline.
BIIAB qualifications awarded before 10 August 2026 remain usable for SIA licensing, subject to the normal rules.
For a first SIA licence application, your qualification generally needs to have been achieved within the previous three years.
If you previously held an SIA licence, the relevant three-year period may relate to when your previous licence was active.
New learners must confirm that their training provider uses a currently valid awarding organisation.
A course attendance record is not the same as a full, recognised qualification.

The SIA has published official guidance on the BIIAB decision and updated its training and qualification requirements.

WHAT DOES THE BIIAB DECISION MEAN FOR YOUR SIA TRAINING?

Your position depends on where you are in the training process.

1. You already have a BIIAB certificate

If BIIAB awarded your qualification before the deadline, it is not automatically cancelled.

You may still use it for an SIA licence application if:

You are applying for an SIA licence for the first time and achieved the qualification less than three years ago.
You previously held the relevant licence and it has been less than three years since that licence was active.
The certificate is a full qualification for the licence type you want.
Your qualification details are correctly recorded in the SIA licensing system.

The qualification still needs to match the role.

For example:

Door Supervisor qualification for a Door Supervisor licence.
Security Officer qualification for a Security Guard licence.
CCTV Operator qualification for a Public Space Surveillance licence.

Do not rely only on the course name used by a training provider. Check the official qualification title and awarding organisation on your certificate.

2. You completed training but have not received your certificate

Contact BIIAB and your training provider immediately.

The SIA states that some certificates may be delayed while additional quality assurance checks take place. Your qualification details must be uploaded into the SIA licensing system before you can submit your licence application.

Keep copies of:

Your enrolment confirmation.
Course booking and payment records.
Attendance records.
Assessment results.
Emails with the training provider.
Any certificate, transcript or completion document.

Do not submit an SIA licence application until you know that your qualification has been awarded and appears correctly in your SIA account.

3. You booked a BIIAB course but have not started it

Ask the provider three direct questions:

Which awarding organisation will issue my qualification?
Is that awarding organisation currently accepted for my SIA licence type?
Will my completed qualification be uploaded to the SIA licensing system?

If the answer remains BIIAB, ask how the provider will move you to a compliant awarding organisation.

If the provider cannot give a clear answer, do not continue without checking.

You may need to cancel, transfer or rebook your SIA training with an approved provider.

IS YOUR CERTIFICATE STILL VALID?

QUICK CHECK

Check 1: Awarding organisation
Does the certificate clearly name BIIAB or another awarding organisation accepted by the SIA?

Check 2: Award date
Was the BIIAB qualification awarded before 10 August 2026?

Check 3: Full qualification
Does it show a completed qualification, rather than attendance, partial completion or a unit result?

Check 4: Correct licence type
Does the qualification match the SIA licence you want?

Check 5: Three-year rule
Is the qualification within the relevant three-year period?

Check 6: SIA record
Has the awarding organisation uploaded your qualification details so they appear in your SIA account?

If any answer is “no” or “I do not know”, pause your application and verify the position.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR SIA CERTIFICATE

Use this practical checklist.

Step 1: Read the certificate carefully

Look for:

Your full name.
The exact qualification title.
The awarding organisation.
The certificate number or learner reference.
The date the qualification was awarded.
Confirmation that the qualification is complete.

A booking email or training attendance certificate is not sufficient evidence by itself.

Step 2: Check the awarding organisation

The SIA recognises specific awarding organisations for licence-linked qualifications.

The current list includes organisations such as:

Highfield Qualifications.
Pearson.
Qualifications Network.
SFJ Awards.
Laser Learning Awards and NOCN for certain qualifications.

The approved organisation depends on the licence type and qualification.

Use the SIA’s approved training provider search tool. You can also contact the awarding organisation named on your certificate and ask it to confirm:

The certificate is genuine.
The qualification is a full licence-linked qualification.
The training centre was approved to deliver it.
Your achievement has been recorded correctly.

The SIA does not directly approve individual training providers. Awarding organisations approve centres that deliver their qualifications.

Step 3: Check the award date

The BIIAB deadline is important because the date you were awarded the qualification matters.

A qualification awarded by BIIAB before 10 August 2026 may remain valid under the SIA’s three-year rules.

If your certificate is dated close to the deadline, contact BIIAB and the SIA before applying. Keep written confirmation where possible.

The SIA’s current GOV.UK qualification guidance uses wording referring to qualifications granted before 11 August 2026. This means certificates dated around 10 or 11 August should be checked directly rather than assumed to be valid.

Step 4: Check your SIA account

The awarding organisation must notify the SIA when you achieve your qualification.

You cannot normally submit your licence application until this information is available to the SIA.

If the qualification does not appear:

Contact the awarding organisation first.
Ask it to check your learner record.
Confirm that your name and date of birth are correct.
Ask when the result was uploaded.
Contact the SIA if the issue remains unresolved.

WHAT IF YOUR PROVIDER WAS BIIAB-BASED?

If your provider used BIIAB and you have not received a valid qualification, take action now.

If you have not started

Ask for a transfer to a provider using a current awarding organisation.

Confirm the new course includes:

The correct SIA licence-linked qualification.
Full assessment and certification.
An approved awarding organisation.
A clear certificate issue process.
Upload of your result to the SIA licensing system.

Do not assume that a provider’s website is up to date. Verify the awarding organisation before booking.

If you partially completed the course

Ask the provider or BIIAB whether you are eligible for a unit transcript or formal record of completed units.

A transcript may help a new provider assess what can be carried forward. It does not automatically give you an SIA licence.

The new provider and awarding organisation must confirm whether you need to complete additional units, assessments or a full replacement qualification.

If you completed the course but are waiting for certification

Contact BIIAB directly and ask for an update on your certificate and quality assurance checks.

Contact your training provider as well.

Do not book a duplicate course immediately unless you have confirmed that your original qualification cannot be awarded or accepted.

HOW TO REBOOK COMPLIANT SIA TRAINING

Rebooking is straightforward when you follow the correct process.

Decide which SIA licence you need.
Check the current qualification required for that licence.
Find a provider approved by the relevant awarding organisation.
Ask which awarding organisation will issue your certificate.
Confirm the course is a full licence-linked qualification.
Check the training dates, assessment requirements and total cost.
Keep your booking and payment records.
Apply for your SIA licence only after the qualification appears in your SIA account.

Zems Academy provides SIA security training for learners preparing for security roles.

Available pathways include:

Level 2 Door Supervisor training.
Level 2 CCTV Operator training.
Level 2 Security Officer training.
Door Supervisor refresher training.
Security Officer refresher training.
Close Protection training.
Cash and Valuables in Transit training.

Course availability, awarding organisation and entry requirements can change. Confirm the current position with Zems Academy before booking.

WHY CHOOSE A COMPLIANT SIA TRAINING PROVIDER?

A compliant provider gives you a clear route from training to licensing.

Before you enrol, you should know:

What qualification you will achieve.
Which awarding organisation will issue it.
Whether the provider is approved for that qualification.
What assessments you must complete.
How your result will be reported to the SIA.
What support is available after training.

Zems Academy combines classroom learning, practical instruction and employability support.

Learners receive clear information about course requirements and can ask questions before they enrol.

Training is delivered with a focus on qualification achievement, licence readiness and progression into work.

BOOK YOUR SIA TRAINING NOW

Do not let the BIIAB deadline delay your plans.

If you already hold a BIIAB qualification, check the award date and SIA record.

If you have not started your course, verify the awarding organisation before attending.

If your provider cannot confirm that your course leads to a valid SIA qualification, rebook with a compliant provider.

View Zems Academy SIA security training or contact Zems Academy for support.

Call 0121 271 0420 or email info@zems.org.uk.

Check your certificate. Confirm your awarding organisation. Book compliant SIA training. Start your security career with the correct qualification.