Free SIA Licence Practice Test
32 questions covering the four units of the SIA licence-linked qualification. Working in the private security industry, working as a security officer, conflict management, and terrorism awareness and emergencies. Instant score and a full unit breakdown.
15 minutes, 32 questions
Four sections of eight, one for each unit of the qualification.
The 70% standard
Awarding-body exams typically require around 70%. We apply the same bar.
Full unit breakdown
See exactly which unit you would fail on and revise that one.
What is the SIA licence?
You need an SIA licence to work legally in most front-line private security roles in the UK — door supervision, security guarding, CCTV operation, close protection and key holding. Working in a licensable role without one is a criminal offence for both the individual and, in many cases, the employer.
To get a licence you must complete a licence-linked qualification with an SIA-approved training provider, pass the awarding-body exams, and then apply to the SIA, which carries out identity and criminal record checks. The course is typically delivered over several days and includes both written exams and, for door supervision, a practical physical intervention assessment.
What this practice test covers
Thirty-two questions across the four main units: working in the private security industry (licensing, roles, standards of behaviour, equality), working as a security officer (patrolling, access control, searching, reports and notebooks), conflict management (communication, de-escalation, reasonable force) and terrorism awareness, emergencies and health and safety.
The practical physical intervention assessment cannot be practised online — it is hands-on and must be delivered by an approved trainer. Everything else on the written papers is covered here.
How your score is interpreted
Awarding bodies typically set the pass mark around 70%. Applied to a 32-question test, 23 correct is the equivalent:
The topics that catch people out
Two areas produce most failures. The first is searching and consent: a security operative has no general power to search, and a search is lawful only with consent or under a specific legal power — refusing entry is the correct response to a refusal, not searching anyway. The second is reasonable force, which must be necessary, proportionate and last no longer than needed. Get those two right and you have removed the most common reasons for losing marks.
After you pass
Passing the exams is only the first step. You then apply to the SIA, which runs identity and criminal record checks; convictions for violence or dishonesty are the usual reason applications are refused. Once licensed, you must display the licence on your outer clothing whenever you are working in a licensable role.
Frequently asked questions
No. This is an independent practice test built by Quizinq for study purposes. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Security Industry Authority or any awarding body. The official qualification must be taken through an SIA-approved training provider.
You must complete a licence-linked qualification with an SIA-approved training provider. There is no way to obtain a licence by examination alone, and door supervision also requires a practical physical intervention assessment.
It varies slightly by awarding body but is typically around 70%, and you generally have to pass every unit rather than achieve an average. That is why the unit breakdown in your results matters more than the overall figure.
It depends on the offence and how long ago it was. Convictions involving violence or dishonesty are the most likely to result in refusal. The SIA publishes its criteria, and it is worth checking before paying for a course. See all our quizzes.
Three years for most licence types, after which you must renew. Some roles require refresher training before renewal.