If your SIA Door Supervisor licence is nearing its renewal date, you have probably come across the term Top-Up training and wondered what it means, whether you need it, and where First Aid fits in. This guide walks through everything a working door supervisor, a new security guard hoping to move up, or anyone with a licence close to expiry needs to know before booking a course.
SIA Door Supervisor Top-Up Training is a short course that lets existing licence holders update their skills and stay compliant, and it has changed a fair bit since it first launched. First Aid plays a part in this too, and getting the order of events right can save you time, money, and a stressful last-minute scramble. By the end of this article, you will understand what the training covers, who has to take it, how First Aid fits in, and how to choose a course that suits your schedule and your budget.
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Before booking anything, it helps to know what this training actually replaced and why it exists at all.
SIA Door Supervisor Top-Up training was brought in back in October 2021 as a short refresher course for door supervisors renewing their licence. Rather than sitting through the full six-day qualification again, licence holders could take a shorter course that covered updated content on subjects like conflict management, physical intervention, and public safety.
Since 1 April 2025, this course has been formally replaced by the Door Supervisor Refresher qualification, which many people and training providers still refer to as Top-Up training because it serves the same purpose and sits in the same spot in the renewal process. When people search for SIA Door Supervisor Top-Up training today, they are almost always looking for this current Refresher course, so this guide uses both terms where it makes sense.
Not every door supervisor needs to book this course straight away, so it helps to work out where you stand first.
You will need to complete this training if your SIA Door Supervisor licence is coming up for renewal and you have held a licence at any point in the last three years. This applies whether you originally completed the full six-day Door Supervisor course years ago or you already sat an older version of the Top-Up course. There are no exemptions based on how long you have worked in the industry or how experienced you are. The SIA treats this as a standard requirement for anyone renewing, and applications submitted without proof of completed training get rejected.
Alongside renewal training, there is a separate route worth knowing about for people who want to add a new licence type.
Upskilling training is different from Top-Up or Refresher training. Where Top-Up training focuses on keeping an existing licence current, Upskilling is aimed at door supervisors who want to gain an extra licence category, such as adding CCTV or Close Protection to their existing Door Supervisor licence. Upskilling courses are shorter than a full qualification course because they only cover the extra content needed for the new licence type, building on knowledge you already hold. If you are happy in your current role and just need to renew, Upskilling is not something you need to think about. If you want to broaden the type of security work you can take on, this is the course to look into.
Current Door Supervisor Refresher and Top-Up courses generally cover:
Each of these areas is assessed through a mix of multiple-choice exams and practical, filmed assessments. Course content can vary slightly between providers, so it is worth checking the exact syllabus before you book.
This is one of the questions people ask most, and the answer catches a fair number of people out.
Yes, First Aid is a firm requirement. You must hold a valid First Aid certificate before you start your Door Supervisor Top-Up or Refresher course, not after. This rule has been in place since the security training standards changed in 2021, and it still applies under the current system. Training providers will usually ask to see proof of your First Aid certificate on or before the day of the course, so turning up without one can mean you are turned away or have to book onto a First Aid session first.
Knowing exactly which certificate to look for saves you from booking the wrong course by mistake.
The qualification you need is the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work award, sometimes shortened to EFAW. This is a recognised regulated qualification, and it needs to be in date when your Top-Up or Refresher training starts. Most First Aid certificates of this type last for three years, so if you already hold one from a previous renewal cycle, check the expiry date before assuming it still counts. If your certificate has lapsed or is close to running out, you will need to renew it before, or alongside, your security training.
Course length is one of the details that varies the most between providers, so treat any figure as a general guide rather than a fixed rule.
Most Door Supervisor Top-Up and Refresher courses run over one or two days, depending on the provider and how the sessions are structured. Some centres run the course across two full days with exams built into the second day, while others compress it into a single longer session. If you are booking First Aid alongside your security training, expect the overall time commitment to stretch across an extra day, since Emergency First Aid at Work is usually delivered as its own separate session.
Before signing up, it is worth checking whether you meet the basic conditions training providers expect.
To join a Door Supervisor Top-Up or Refresher course, you generally need to have held an SIA Door Supervisor licence within the last three years, be at least 18 years old, and have a reasonable standard of English for reading, writing, speaking, and listening, since exams and practical assessments are conducted in English. You will also need a valid First Aid certificate before the course begins, as covered above. Providers will usually ask for photo ID and proof of your existing or previous SIA licence on the day.
Once your training is done, there is still a process to follow with the SIA itself before your new licence is issued.
Renewal starts with checking your licence expiry date through your SIA online account, since you can apply for renewal in the months leading up to expiry rather than waiting until the last minute. Next, you complete your Top-Up or Refresher training and First Aid certificate if you do not already hold one. Once training is finished, you submit your renewal application through the SIA along with proof of your completed course, pay the renewal fee, and the SIA will carry out its standard checks before issuing your new licence. Processing does take time, so applying early gives you a buffer in case anything needs following up.
These two terms get mixed up often, so a direct comparison helps clear things up.
Top-Up, now known as Refresher training, is about keeping the licence you already have current for renewal. It is a requirement, not an option, if you want to keep working as a licensed door supervisor. Upskilling, on the other hand, is about adding a new licence category on top of the one you hold, such as moving into CCTV or Close Protection work. Top-Up training is shorter and focused on updated core content, while Upskilling covers new subject areas specific to the extra licence type. You only need Upskilling if you are actively expanding what you are licensed to do.
Fitting two separate courses into your schedule can feel like a hassle, so it helps to know your options.
Many training providers offer Emergency First Aid at Work as a package alongside the Door Supervisor Top-Up or Refresher course, often scheduling it as an extra day at the same venue. This can be a convenient option if you do not already hold a valid First Aid certificate, since it means one booking rather than two. If you already hold a valid EFAW certificate, you can skip this step and bring proof of it instead. Always check with your chosen provider whether First Aid is included, offered as an add-on, or needs to be booked separately elsewhere.
Price is one of the biggest factors people weigh up, and it depends on more than just the course itself.
The cost of SIA Door Supervisor Top-Up training varies between providers and depends on things like course length, location, whether First Aid is bundled in, and whether the session runs during the week or at a weekend. On top of the training fee, you also need to budget for the SIA’s own licence renewal fee, which is separate from anything you pay a training provider. Because prices shift between providers and change over time, it is worth getting a direct, current quote rather than relying on figures you might find in an old advert.
With several options usually available in most areas, a few practical checks can help you settle on the right provider.
Working through this list before booking helps you avoid surprises and gives you a course that fits both your timeline and your budget.
It is the short course, now formally called Refresher training, that door supervisors complete to renew their SIA licence with updated skills and knowledge.
Yes. You need a valid Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work certificate before your Top-Up or Refresher course begins.
Most courses run over one to two days, though this can vary depending on the training provider.
No. Completing this training is a mandatory step, and applications without it are rejected by the SIA.
Top-Up, now called Refresher, keeps your existing licence current. Upskilling adds a new licence category on top of one you already hold.
In many cases, yes. Providers often offer Emergency First Aid at Work as a bundled option alongside the Top-Up course.
SIA licences are generally issued for three years, at which point renewal, including this training, becomes necessary.
You should check your specific circumstances with the SIA directly, since working rules during processing depend on your individual licence status and timing.
Renewing an SIA Door Supervisor licence does not need to be complicated once you know the steps. SIA Door Supervisor Top-Up Training, now delivered as Refresher training, keeps your knowledge current on physical intervention, terror threat awareness, vulnerability, and searching, while your First Aid certificate needs to be sorted before training begins, not after.
Before you book anything, check your licence expiry date, confirm your First Aid status, and pick a provider who is upfront about course content, timing, and pricing. Getting these details right the first time means less back and forth and a smoother path back to a valid licence.
If you are looking for a straightforward place to start, Bright Learning Centre runs Door Supervisor Top-Up and First Aid courses designed to fit around working schedules, giving you a clear route through renewal without unnecessary delay.