Door Supervisor Upskilling

The Rules Have Changed. Are You Compliant?

You have the badge. You have the experience. You have been doing the job for years. But if your SIA license is up for renewal, you might be in for a nasty surprise. You cannot simply pay the fee and renew anymore.

Since October 2021, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has mandated that all existing Door Supervisors and Security Guards must undertake “Top-Up Training” to renew their license.

Why? Because the world has changed. The threat of terrorism is higher, and safety standards for physical intervention have evolved. If you don’t have this new qualification, your license will be suspended, and you will be unable to work legally.

The Level 2 SIA Refresher Course (officially known as “Top-Up Training”) is the mandatory qualification required to renew your SIA license. It updates your skills in Counter-Terrorism (ACT), First Aid, and Physical Intervention safety.

At National Training GB, we specialize in getting experienced operatives through this course quickly, efficiently, and back to work without fuss.

What is the Level 2 SIA Refresher (Top-Up)?

The Level 2 SIA Refresher Course, commonly referred to as “Top-Up Training,” is a mandatory requirement for renewing an SIA Door Supervisor or Security Guarding license. It ensures operatives are up-to-date with critical safety skills, including Terror Threat Awareness (ACT) and Physical Intervention. You must pass this course before you can submit your renewal application to the SIA.

The “Downgrade” Trap: Which Top-Up Do You Need?

This is where many experienced guards make a fatal career error. They book the cheaper “Security Guard Top-Up” thinking it saves money.

Warning: If you hold a Door Supervisor license but take the Security Guard Top-Up, you will lose your Blue Badge and be downgraded to a Green Badge.

Current License	Course Required to Maintain It	Duration	Includes Physical Intervention?
Door Supervisor (Blue)	Door Supervisor Top-Up	2 Days	✅ Yes
Security Guard (Green)	Security Guard Top-Up	1 Day	❌ No
Close Protection	CP Top-Up	3-5 Days	✅ Yes

Our Advice: Always maintain your Door Supervisor license. It gives you maximum employability.

Core Curriculum: New Skills for a New Era

You might think, “I’ve been doing this for 10 years, why do I need training?”
This isn’t about teaching you how to stand at a door. It’s about the new threats we face today.

1. Terror Threat Awareness (ACT)

Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the SIA made counter-terrorism training mandatory. You will learn:

Hostile Reconnaissance: How to spot terrorists scoping out your venue.
The Run, Hide, Tell Protocol: Managing a dynamic lockdown during an attack.
Crowd Management: Identifying abnormal behavior in queues.

2. Physical Intervention Refresher (DS Only)

Techniques that were acceptable 5 years ago might now be considered dangerous. This module refreshes your muscle memory on:

Safe escorts and holds.
Positional Asphyxia: Preventing death during restraint (Critical topic).
Risk Reduction: How to intervene without getting injured or facing a lawsuit.

3. Equipment & Communication

Using body-worn cameras (BWV) legally and communicating effectively with emergency services during a major incident.

Instructor’s Pro Insight:
“The biggest shock for ‘Old School’ guards on this course is the focus on

The “First Aid” Prerequisite (Don’t Ignore This!)

This is the number one reason people get turned away at the door.
You MUST have a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate to take the Top-Up course.

If your First Aid certificate has expired (or has less than 12 months left), you cannot sit the Top-Up course.
Solution:National Training GB offers a bundle. You can do your First Aid refresher with us immediately before your Top-Up course. One booking, two certificates.

Who Needs This Course NOW?

This IS for you if:

Your license expires in the next 4 months: The SIA recommends applying for renewal early. Do not leave it to the last week.
You haven’t done training since before April 2021: Your qualification is outdated. You legally require the Top-Up.
You want to stay employable: Employers cannot insure unlicensed staff. Losing your badge means losing your job.

This is NOT for you if:

You are new to the industry: If you don’t have a license yet, you need the full Level 2 Door Supervisor Course (6 days), not this Refresher.
Your license expired more than 3 years ago: You may need to retake the full course. (Contact us to check).

Why Choose National Training GB?

We know you don’t want to be in a classroom; you want to be earning money.

Weekend Courses: We schedule Top-Up training on weekends so you don’t miss weekday shifts.
Fast Uploads: We mark exams and upload results to the SIA database instantly. We know you are watching the clock on your expiry date.
No Hidden Fees: Our price includes the exam fees.
Experienced Tutors: Our trainers are active in the industry. They respect your experience and focus on the new material you need to know.

Frequently Asked Questions (SIA Renewal)

When should I book my Top-Up training?
You should book at least 3-4 months before your license expires. This allows time for results to be processed and your renewal application to go through the SIA system.

Can I do the Top-Up course online?
Partially. Some of the self-study material (like the ACT Terror Awareness) can be done online, but the Physical Intervention and exams MUST be done face-to-face. There is no 100% online option allowed by the SIA.

What happens if I fail?
It is rare for experienced operatives to fail, but if you do, National Training GB offers support and re-sits. We want you to keep your badge.