A door supervisor is an SIA-licensed operative responsible for controlling access to licensed premises — pubs, nightclubs, late bars, music venues, festivals — and managing conflict when it happens at the door or inside. The role is hospitality-led: Thursday to Sunday evenings, with the late shifts paying more.
The SIA Door Supervisor (DS) licence is the entry ticket. Training is around 6 days through a Get Licensed-approved provider and includes physical intervention, conflict management, and emergency first aid. Most contracts also expect a Level 2 first-aid certificate on top, and the bigger venues want body-cam familiarisation. Rates currently sit around £14-£17 an hour outside London, £18-£22 inside the M25. Event work — festivals, concerts, conferences — often pays a flat day rate of £160-£200 plus food and transport rather than an hourly rate.
Door supervision is also the licence most security workers hold first because the DS covers door work AND manned guarding — the Security Guard licence only covers the latter. Many supervisors stack body-worn camera operation, drug awareness, or close protection later. One thing to be aware of: the SIA is increasingly issuing immediate licence suspensions for use-of-force complaints, so the work carries real legal exposure that the training course barely covers.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the SIA Door Supervisor training course?
Around 6 days through a Get Licensed-approved training provider. The course covers physical intervention, conflict management, and emergency first aid. After the course you apply for the SIA licence (currently £190) and submit a DBS check.
How much do door supervisors earn in the UK?
Hourly rates typically sit between £14-£17 outside London and £18-£22 inside the M25. Event work (festivals, concerts) often pays a flat day rate of £160-£200 plus food and transport.
Can a door supervisor work as a security guard with just the DS licence?
Yes. The Door Supervisor licence covers both door work at licensed premises AND general manned guarding. The Security Guard licence only covers the manned guarding side, which is why most officers take the DS first.