SIA BS7858
Ensure your workforce with an SIA licence meet the security industry’s most recognised standard.
Our SIA BS7858 service includes:
- Identity verification of name, date of birth & address
- Verification of Right to Work in the UK
- SIA licence verification
- Education checks as necessary
- Employment/self-employment/unemployment checks for the past 5 years
- Financial Probity checks
- Independent verification of employment history gaps exceeding 31 days
- Screening for any financial sanctions
- Limited Screening (If applicable)
What is SIA BS7858 Vetting?
BS7858 is the British Standard for conducting pre-employment screening on individuals working in security-sensitive roles. It sets out the checks required to verify a candidate’s identity, employment history, financial integrity, and overall suitability. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) uses BS7858 as the recognised vetting benchmark for private security companies, particularly those seeking or maintaining Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) accreditation. To comply with SIA expectations and legal obligations for licensed activities (such as security guarding, CCTV, door supervision, close protection, and keyholding), employees must undergo BS7858-compliant screening.
Common roles for SIA BS7858 screening
- Door Supervisors
- CCTV operators
- Security Guards
- Key Holders
- Close Protection Operatives
- Any security roles regulated by the SIA
Secure your workforce with SIA BS7858 screening
Ensure your workforce meets the security industry’s most recognised standard even with an SIA licence. Our team can guide you through the process, answer any questions and help you choose the correct level of screening for your roles.
Our SIA BS7858 security screening
Where a role is SIA-licensed, an existing licence confirms that the holder has already undergone statutory checks (including an appropriate criminal record assessment) to the SIA’s requirements; however, employers are still responsible for completing BS7858 security screening to cover the additional employment-screening elements specified by BS7858:2019. For example, verifying the five-year employment history, conducting financial/probity enquiries, confirming identity. In practice, organisations seeking or maintaining SIA-ACS status apply BS7858 across both licensed and non-licensed roles to evidence a consistent standard of due diligence.
BS7858 accreditation standards
BS7858 security screening is widely adopted to meet accreditation and audit expectations, including NSI, SSAIB and SIA-ACS; it is often a condition of insurance for certain roles or contracts. Beyond compliance, consistent vetting reduces insider threat, protects sensitive assets and strengthens your position when tendering for high-value contracts or demonstrating due diligence to clients and regulators.
What our experts say about this service
“BS7858 vetting is the gold standard for security roles and it’s something we work with every day. We understand how strict and detailed the requirements are, which is why we put real focus on getting every stage right with consistency and expertise. Our BS7858 screening is rigorous, transparent and designed to ensure every candidate meets the highest levels of trust, integrity, and reliability, whether that’s with or without an SIA licence. It’s all about giving our clients confidence that their workforce is fully vetted to recognised industry standards.”
Steve, Director
Why choose BS7858?
BS7858 provides the highest industry-recognised standard for vetting individuals working in secure or high-risk environments. It helps organisations demonstrate full compliance with UK security standards, meet accreditation requirements, and protect their reputation through rigorous background checks. By adopting BS7858, businesses ensure thorough identity, employment, and criminal record verification, reduce hiring risks, and strengthen trust with clients and regulators. It also supports applications for additional accreditations and can be essential for meeting insurance conditions, giving companies added protection and peace of mind.
Start your SIA BS7858 vetting today
Ready to secure your hiring process? Whether you need comprehensive criminal history searches, employment verification or tailored screening solutions, our expert team is here to help you make informed decisions with confidence. Fill out the form below s and one of our dedicated compliance specialists will reach out with a personalised solution.
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Our SIA BS7858 Vetting Process
Step 1
Submit candidate details & required documentation
Provide the candidate’s basic details and initial documents, including identity evidence, Right to Work, address history and employment history for the previous five years. Your dedicated vetting officer will confirm what is needed and ensure everything is captured from the start.
Step 2
Full SIA BS7858 screening completed by SVS
We conduct all mandatory BS7858 checks, including employment verification, gap clarification, financial probity checks, sanctions screening, character references (where required) and SIA licence verification. You’ll receive regular updates and be notified immediately if any issues arise.
Step 3
Results, certificate & audit-ready evidence pack
Once screening is complete, you will receive a certificate of screening, written confirmation of compliance and a full pack containing all documents required for audits, inspections, accreditations or insurer validation. For urgent operational needs, we can also support Limited Screening to allow conditional employment.
BS7858
Looking for BS7858 vetting for your security guards?
Visit our Security Guarding sector to learn how we streamline compliance and screening, this is for candidates without a SIA licence.
What our clients say
Why choose SVS Security & Vetting Solutions?
Fast Turnaround
We understand the importance of keeping recruitment and operational timelines on track. Our efficient systems, dedicated Vetting Officers, and streamlined digital processes enable us to deliver fast, reliable screening results without compromising on accuracy or compliance.
Dedicated Vetting Officer
Your candidates’ dedicated Vetting Officer tracks each application closely, providing regular updates and flagging any issues early. You’re kept informed at every stage, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and predictable screening process.
Industry Expertise
With deep knowledge of regulated industry screening, we tailor our processes to meet the unique compliance standards of each sector, ensuring every check is completed efficiently, accurately, and in line with relevant regulations.
SIA BS7858 FAQs
What’s the difference between BS7858 and SIA BS7858?
• SIA BS7858 vetting is required for any company operating under the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) to maintain their accreditation. We refer to it as SIA BS7858 vetting because candidates typically already hold a valid SIA licence, which includes its own Standard-level criminal record check. This allows the SIA licence to be used in place of the Basic or Enhanced DBS check normally required under standard BS7858 screening, as the licensing process already meets criminal record check compliance.
Do candidates need a criminal record check?
Yes, but for SIA-linked roles, this involves confirming the candidate’s SIA licence instead, as the candidate would have received a Standard criminal record check to obtain this. For non-SIA security roles, a Basic or Enhanced DBS check may be required.
How long does SIA BS7858 vetting take?
• We target to achieve full completion of screening checks within 20-30 working days from receipt of the completed application form and supporting documentation. We offer Limited Screening, which we aim to complete in 3-5 working days, so your candidates can start while the rest of the screening continues in the background.
What is Limited Screening?
Limited Screening, previously called Conditional Screening, is an accelerated, partial version of BS7858 vetting that allows employees to start work before the full SIA BS7858 security screening is completed and fully complies with the BS7858 standard. Once Limited Screening is complete, the employer can offer conditional employment, meaning the candidate can start working on the condition that full SIA BS7858 screening is fully completed within 12 weeks.
Looking for Digital Identity Verification?
Digital Identity Verification fee from £6.50 per check (ex VAT)
Our fast, secure ID, address and Right to Work confirmation is completed directly by the candidate, reducing delays and protecting against fraudulent documentation.





















