Rules, legislation and authorisation in security
Security Services Act, approval, conduct requirements and the certificates you must have
Security is not like other trades. Because you work with other people's security, safety and property, the area is tightly regulated by law. It is a good thing: the rules protect both the public and you as security. Here you get an overview.
§Security business requires a license
You can't just set up a security firm and start. Security work is regulated by the Security Services Act and requires a special permit from the authorities. This means that the company must be approved, and the employed security guards must meet certain requirements before they can perform security tasks. As an apprentice, you work under an approved company's permit.
§Requirements for the individual guard
To work as a security guard you must meet requirements of age and conduct. You must be 18 years old and your criminal record matters — the industry and authorities attach importance to you being suitable to have responsibility for security. This is part of the explanation for why the apprenticeship can only begin when you are of legal age.
§Certificates you obtain along the way
A key part of the apprenticeship is that you take the basic certificates the trade requires. The most important are:
- 01Basic Security — the basic security course that is the ticket to performing security tasks.
- 02Certificate in first aid including traffic-related first aid so you can act correctly in accidents.
- 03Certificate in elementary fire fighting so you can intervene correctly at the start of a fire.
These certificates are not just a formality. They are a prerequisite for you to perform the tasks the trade consists of, and they follow you further in your career.
§Limits for your work
The law also sets clear limits for what you are allowed to do. A security guard is not police and does not have police powers. You cannot use more force than the situation requires, and only within what the law permits any citizen. Conflict management, correct documentation and cooperation with police and emergency services are therefore permanent parts of your education — precisely because it is crucial to know your role and your limits.
“A skilled guard solves most situations with words overview and presence — not with force. Knowing the rules is part of professionalism.”