SIA licence vs ACS accreditation: what’s the difference?

An SIA licence is for an individual carrying out certain licensable security activities. ACS accreditation, officially the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme, is for eligible private security businesses. Individuals hold SIA licences; businesses can become SIA approved contractors.

SIA licence vs ACS accreditation: what’s the difference?

If you’re looking for SIA accreditation, it’s important to establish exactly what you need. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) licenses individuals who carry out certain security activities, while eligible private security businesses can apply for approval through its Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

Put simply: individuals can hold an SIA licence; businesses can become SIA approved contractors through ACS.

Is there such a thing as SIA accreditation?

The term SIA accreditation is commonly used when talking about security industry requirements, but it can mean different things depending on whether you’re talking about a person or a business.

For individuals working in certain regulated security roles, the relevant requirement is an SIA licence.

For private security businesses seeking recognition from the SIA, the relevant scheme is the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

ACS is often referred to as SIA accreditation or ACS accreditation, although the SIA itself describes successful businesses as approved contractors.

Understanding that distinction matters because the requirements and processes are completely different.

What is an SIA licence?

An SIA licence is issued to an individual who meets the requirements for carrying out certain licensable security activities.

These can include roles within areas such as security guarding, door supervision, close protection and public space surveillance.

The licence belongs to the individual rather than their employer. If they move to another security company, their licence moves with them.

JVR does not provide consultancy services for individuals applying for SIA licences.

What is ACS accreditation?

The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is the SIA’s voluntary quality assurance scheme for eligible private security businesses.

Rather than assessing an individual security operative, ACS looks at how a security business is managed and operated.

Businesses seeking approval are assessed against the ACS standard, which covers seven broad areas:

• Strategy
• Service Delivery
• Commercial Relationship Management
• Financial Management
• Resource Management
• People Management
• Leadership

Successful applicants become SIA approved contractors and are listed on the SIA’s register of approved contractors.

So, when a security company talks about obtaining SIA accreditation, it will usually be ACS approval that is relevant.

SIA licence vs ACS accreditation at a glance

Does having SIA-licensed staff mean a company is ACS approved?

No. Employing people who hold the appropriate SIA licences does not automatically make a business an SIA approved contractor.

ACS assesses the business itself against a much broader standard. This includes areas such as its strategy, finances, service delivery, resources, people management and leadership.

Similarly, being an SIA approved contractor does not remove the requirement for individuals carrying out relevant licensable activities to hold the appropriate licences.

The two requirements are related, but they serve different purposes.

Why do security businesses seek ACS accreditation?

ACS approval is voluntary, but it provides independent recognition that a security business has been assessed against the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme standard.

It can also be commercially important. Customers may prefer to use SIA approved contractors, and some procurement exercises and contracts may require ACS approval.

Becoming approved involves more than employing appropriately licensed security staff. The business needs to meet the SIA’s eligibility requirements, assess itself against the ACS standard and undergo independent assessment.

How can JVR help with SIA ACS accreditation?

JVR Consultancy’s support in this area is specifically for private security businesses seeking or maintaining ACS approval.

We can help businesses understand the requirements, establish their eligibility and appropriate scope, assess existing systems, identify gaps, organise evidence and prepare for formal ACS assessment.

Our dedicated SIA ACS Accreditation Support page explains the eligibility requirements, ACS standard, application process and assessment in more detail.

Looking for SIA accreditation for your business?

If by SIA accreditation you mean becoming an SIA approved contractor, JVR can help you prepare for the ACS process. Find out more about our SIA ACS Accreditation Support, including eligibility, requirements, application, assessment and ongoing support.