What’s the difference between SIA Top-Up and Refresher training?

If you’re in the security business, you’ll know it’s an ever-changing industry. Qualifications and guidance need to be updated regularly to reflect the evolving risks to public and personal safety.

The Security Industry Authority, SIA, have introduced new training courses, ‘Refresher training’ to replace the existing ‘Top Up training’ you need to undertake to renew a SIA Door Supervisor or Security Officer licence.

Why has the SIA replaced Top Up training with the Refresher? 

Refresher training is here to provide a more comprehensive, practical, and relevant approach to renewing your licence. The SIA have stated there was a need to update the course content to keep the public safe, follow new working practices and understand recent changes to the law.

New Refresher courses will also include important core modules consistently throughout all the training SIA licences require, this covers terror threat awareness and dealing with emergencies.

You must also have an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work qualification before you can take the Refresher training. Here at Vistech, we provide you with the relevant First Aid training on the first day of your course, so you can gain your certification before undergoing the Door Supervisor or Security Officer Refresher course on day 2 and 3.

The differences between Top Up and Refresher training

Introduced in April 2021, SIA Top Up training was implemented to raise the standards of security professionals renewing their SIA licences. This month, October 2024, the SIA have released Refresher training, the courses have more relevant content that addresses challenges Door Supervisor and Security Officers may face in the current climate. You can also expect more practical assessments to help reinforce your knowledge.

When will I need to take the SIA Refresher training?

From Tuesday 1st April 2025, Door Supervisors and Security Officers will need to take refresher training to renew their licences. While the Top Up training will still be running until the end of 2024, the SIA are encouraging Security Officers and Door Supervisors to undergo the Refresher training as soon as possible so you have up-to-date and refreshed saftey skills to better protect the public.

You can renew your existing licence up to four months before it’s due to expire, our first Refresher courses take place at the beginning of December.

What will I learn on the Door Supervisor Refresher course?

Door Supervisor course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video and breathalysers. Along with the existing learnings such as physical intervention skills and knowledge around critical incidents.

What will I learn on the Security Officer Refresher course?

As a standard for all Refresher courses, you’ll learn of terror threats and dealing with emergencies. The new Security Officer Refresher material will also cover person safety.

For more information, you can check the SIA website.