All SIA Licences
What it allows
Eligibility
How to apply
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SIA Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) Licence
A CCTV Operator licence is required to operate public-space surveillance camera systems — control rooms monitoring high streets, transport hubs, large retail sites, and council CCTV networks.
SIA application fee
£190
Valid for
3 years
Training time
3 days
You can work as a...
- Working in a town-centre or council CCTV control room
- Monitoring large retail or shopping centre camera systems
- Operating transport hub surveillance (rail, bus, airports)
- Working at a remote monitoring station
- Supporting police-led monitoring contracts
What you'll need
- Be 18 or over
- Right to work in the UK
- Complete an SIA-approved CCTV operator course
- Pass a DBS basic disclosure
- Apply via the SIA online portal
From training to working — 4 steps
1
Book the 3-day CCTV course
Shorter and more affordable than DS — focused on observation, recording, and legal aspects.
2
Pass the assessment
Two written exams and a practical observation test.
3
Apply to the SIA
Submit your certificate, basic DBS and £190 fee online.
4
Receive your licence
Typically issued in 4-6 weeks. Apply to monitoring firms, councils and shopping centres.
Ready to start?
View course dates
Book the training course
SIA CCTV Operator Training — 3 days, runs across 22 venues
Other SIA licences