Check if you're eligible

Not everyone can get a private security licence or certificate. Find out what might stop you getting one and the age limits for security work.

Reasons you might not get a licence or certificate

You might get turned down if:

  • you or your company were convicted in the last 7 years for dishonesty, violence or drug offences
  • you or your company have had your licence or certificate cancelled or suspended in the past
  • you’ve been ordered by a court to be in a hospital because of a mental condition
  • you don’t have 12 months' experience in a class you are applying for. This is only for a company or individual licence.

If you apply as an individual, see all reasons you might get turned down in section 62 of the Act.

Reasons you might get turned down in section 62(external link)

If you apply as a company, see all reasons you might get turned down in section 63 of the Act.

Reasons you might get turned down in section 63(external link)

You can still apply if one of these reasons apply

If one of these reasons applies to you, you‘ll need to show why you’re suitable to do security work anyway. For example, you can give us:

  • background about the conviction
  • evidence of your character.

If we decide you’re suitable for work in the class(es) you have applied for, we may put conditions on your certificate or licence.

Age limit

If you are under 18 you can only apply for a certificate in these classes:

  • security consultant
  • document destruction agent.

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