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SIA door supervisor refresher practice quiz: 25 free questions

Try 25 original questions across the two door supervisor refresher knowledge papers before your course exams. Choose an answer, then open the explanation to see the correct one and the law or guidance behind it.

Independent guide, not governmentReviewed by Liam Humphreys on Last updated Last checked 24 sources21 min readHow this guide was made, including our use of AI

Contents

Practice questions, not the real exam

These questions are original. They were written from the public qualification specification, GOV.UK guidance and the legislation, not copied from any awarding body, past paper, sample assessment or app. The real tests are set by an awarding body and will word things differently. The law changes, so check the sources at the end before you rely on an answer. This is not legal advice.

About the SIA door supervisor refresher exam

The SIA door supervisor refresher exam at a glance
DetailWhat the specification says
Who needs itSince 1 April 2025, every door supervisor must hold a refresher qualification before an SIA licence can be renewed. It is the Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) (the SIA’s name on GOV.UK), which replaced the earlier top-up qualification. Training and assessment follow the SIA’s Get Training requirements.
First aid firstGOV.UK says you must hold a current first aid qualification (Emergency First Aid at Work or equivalent) that stays valid for at least another 12 months, and show it to your training provider. First aid is not tested in the multiple-choice papers, so this pack does not cover it.
FormatTwo externally set multiple-choice papers, one per knowledge unit, plus practical assessments (searching, and physical intervention techniques) marked by the training centre. This pack covers the two multiple-choice papers only.
Unit 1 paperPrinciples of Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry (Refresher): in Pearson’s specification, 35 questions, 55 minutes, pass mark 25 of 35 (71 per cent). The topics are searching, keeping vulnerable people safe, terror threats and spiking.
Unit 2 paperApplication of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Refresher): in Pearson’s specification, 30 questions, 45 minutes, pass mark 24 of 30, which is 80% (Pearson); check with your awarding organisation. The techniques are assessed separately by observation.
Who sets the papersThe SIA sets the requirements. Papers are set and marked by the awarding organisation your training centre uses (see GOV.UK, Teaching SIA licence-linked training courses, for the SIA’s current list of approved awarding organisations; the SIA does not accept qualifications awarded by BIIAB on or after 11 August 2026). The figures above are from the Pearson BTEC specification (Issue 2, November 2025). Check which awarding organisation your centre uses, because question counts, times and pass marks can differ.
Law coveredEngland and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrest, licensing and drug law, and the SIA qualifications adapt that content for those nations; this pack does not.
Changes comingThe SIA consulted on new specifications from 28 August to 23 October 2026 and says final specifications will follow in winter 2026, with new qualifications launching later in 2027. The questions follow the current refresher specification, which applies until the SIA says otherwise.
A man in a plain dark jacket stands in a lit doorway on a wet street at dusk, looking along the pavement.
Illustration. AI-generated image. About our images

How the quiz works

Read each question and decide on A, B, C or D. Then open Show the answer under it. There is no score, so keep your own tally. Aim for at least 18 out of 25 (72 per cent), which matches the 71 per cent pass mark for Unit 1 in Pearson’s specification. The Unit 2 pass mark is 80% (Pearson); check with your awarding organisation.

Abbreviations used: SIA means Security Industry Authority, PACE means the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, CCTV means closed-circuit television, PPE means personal protective equipment, IED means improvised explosive device, CBRN means chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, ACT means Action Counters Terrorism, SCaN means See, Check and Notify, and ID means identification.

The 25 questions

Question 1

A door supervisor searches every fourth person in the queue. What type of search is this?

  1. A general search
  2. A premises search
  3. A random search
  4. A targeted specific search
Show the answer

Answer C. A random search

A general search covers everyone, a random search covers a selection (for example, every fourth person), a specific search is of particular individuals for particular reasons, and a premises search covers the venue itself.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 1.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 2

A customer refuses to be searched at the entrance of a venue that has a search policy. What should the door supervisor do?

  1. Politely explain the search policy, and if the customer still refuses, deny entry and record it
  2. Search them anyway using reasonable force, as the search policy applies to everyone who enters the venue
  3. Ask a bystander or another customer to search them instead, and let them in if nothing is found
  4. Let them in because refusal is not a problem, but ask a colleague to keep an eye on them
Show the answer

Answer A. Politely explain the search policy, and if the customer still refuses, deny entry and record it

If a customer does not consent to a search that is a condition of entry, they should be denied entry. Explain the reasons politely, follow venue policy and record details.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 1.2 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 3

A 14-year-old needs to be searched at the entrance of an event. Which of these is correct?

  1. Never ask for clothes to be removed other than outer garments such as a coat, and search in the presence of another suitable adult, with the same sex searcher where possible
  2. Ask them to remove their top and shoes so that the search is thorough, and carry it out in a private room with one door supervisor
  3. Search alone in a back room away from the queue, so that other customers cannot see how a young person is being treated or searched
  4. Search without telling them why, to avoid upsetting them, and without involving a parent, guardian or any other adult who is nearby
Show the answer

Answer A. Never ask for clothes to be removed other than outer garments such as a coat, and search in the presence of another suitable adult, with the same sex searcher where possible

With children and young people, do not ask for removal of clothing other than outer garments, search in the presence of another individual (ideally a parent, guardian or other responsible adult), explain what is happening and why, get consent, and use a searcher of the same sex.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 1.7 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 4

What is a duty of care?

  1. A legal duty to arrest every offender that the operative sees committing a crime
  2. A requirement to work unpaid overtime whenever the venue is short of staff
  3. A right to search any customer and refuse entry without giving a reason
  4. A moral or legal obligation to ensure the safety or wellbeing of others
Show the answer

Answer D. A moral or legal obligation to ensure the safety or wellbeing of others

Duty of care is the obligation to look after others’ safety or wellbeing. People may not look vulnerable, so best practice is to care for everyone.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 2.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 5

A lone customer who is very drunk cannot find friends. Which of these is an appropriate action?

  1. Eject them into the street without help, as they are no longer the venue’s concern
  2. Ask them to sit in the queue until the venue closes, then ask them to move on
  3. Let them leave with the first stranger who offers a lift, if they seem friendly
  4. Offer to contact a friend or relative, or arrange a licensed taxi, or use a local safe haven
Show the answer

Answer D. Offer to contact a friend or relative, or arrange a licensed taxi, or use a local safe haven

Appropriate actions include seeking help from police, street pastors or marshals, offering to call a friend or relative, arranging a licensed taxi and using local schemes. Do not eject vulnerable people without support.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 2.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 6

A 16-year-old seems happy to spend time with an older adult who is buying them gifts. Why might this still be child sexual exploitation?

  1. It can only be exploitation if the older adult is a stranger to the venue and its staff
  2. It cannot be, because 16-year-olds are legally adults for all purposes under the law
  3. It cannot be, because the young person appears to agree to the attention they are given
  4. Under 18s can be exploited even if the activity appears consensual, because of the imbalance of power
Show the answer

Answer D. Under 18s can be exploited even if the activity appears consensual, because of the imbalance of power

Government guidance says that child sexual exploitation can affect anyone under 18, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to sex, and that it can still be abuse where the activity appears consensual.

Relies on: Department for Education, Child sexual exploitation: definition and a guide for practitioners (Feb 2017), pages 5 and 6.

Question 7

Which UK threat level means an attack is highly likely in the near future?

  1. Substantial
  2. Critical
  3. Moderate
  4. Severe
Show the answer

Answer B. Critical

Critical is the highest level. The levels run low, moderate, substantial, severe and critical.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Terrorism and national emergencies, https://www.gov.uk/terrorism-national-emergency.

Question 8

In the police advice “Run, Hide, Tell”, what does “Tell” mean?

  1. Call 999 when it is safe to do so and give the police the information they need
  2. Tell customers to stay where they are and wait for the attacker to leave
  3. Tell the press and local radio what has happened so the public can be warned
  4. Tell the attacker to stop and put down any weapon before the police have to be called
Show the answer

Answer A. Call 999 when it is safe to do so and give the police the information they need

The advice is to run if there is a safe route, hide if not, and tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe, giving location, descriptions and what has happened.

Relies on: NaCTSO, Stay Safe: Run Hide Tell (GOV.UK, withdrawn 2022; now ProtectUK); Refresher Unit 1 AC 3.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 9

What are the “4 Cs” used for suspicious items?

  1. Contain, Chase, Catch, Confront
  2. Calm, Collect, Carry, Contact
  3. Check, Cover, Collect, Complete
  4. Confirm, Clear, Communicate, Control
Show the answer

Answer D. Confirm, Clear, Communicate, Control

Confirm whether the item is suspicious (using HOT), clear the area to a safe distance without touching the item, communicate with the police, and control access so nobody approaches.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 3.4 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025); ProtectUK guidance on suspicious items.

Question 10

What is a possible drawback of taking people into a building for safety during a terrorist attack outside (invacuation)?

  1. They may all be grouped together and could become an easy target for other attacks
  2. It means the emergency services cannot be told what is happening inside
  3. It means nobody can be warned about the danger once the doors are locked
  4. It always takes longer than evacuating the building, however many staff there are
Show the answer

Answer A. They may all be grouped together and could become an easy target for other attacks

The unit content says the advantages of evacuation and invacuation can easily turn into disadvantages. Gathering people in one place can make them an easy target for other forms of terrorist activity.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 3.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 11

Which of these is a method of spiking?

  1. Adding alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink or food without their knowledge or consent
  2. Refusing to serve a customer who is already intoxicated, even when they ask politely
  3. Offering a customer a free soft drink as a welcome when they first come in to the bar
  4. Asking a customer to show proof of age before they are served any alcohol at all
Show the answer

Answer A. Adding alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink or food without their knowledge or consent

Spiking includes adding alcohol or drugs to a person’s drink or food without their knowledge or consent. The key point is that the person did not know about it and did not agree to it.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 4.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 12

A customer secretly gives a friend a double shot in a drink when the friend asked for a single. How does the unit content treat this?

  1. As a form of spiking, because more alcohol was added than the person agreed to
  2. As spiking only if the friend later becomes ill or has to go to hospital
  3. As not spiking, because the customer who did it knows the friend very well
  4. As not spiking, because the drink only contained alcohol and no other substance
Show the answer

Answer A. As a form of spiking, because more alcohol was added than the person agreed to

The unit content lists adding more alcohol or drugs than the person consented to, for example double shots instead of single ones. Consent and knowledge matter, not whether the person is harmed.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 4.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 13

Under section 61 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which act is an offence?

  1. Selling alcohol to a person who is over 18 but who is already drunk when they are served at the bar
  2. Taking a photograph of someone in a public place when they have not been asked whether they mind
  3. Keeping a controlled drug that belongs to a friend who has asked you to look after it for them
  4. Giving someone a substance on purpose, knowing they do not consent, to stupefy or overpower them for sexual activity
Show the answer

Answer D. Giving someone a substance on purpose, knowing they do not consent, to stupefy or overpower them for sexual activity

Section 61 makes it an offence to intentionally administer a substance to, or cause it to be taken by, another person knowing they do not consent and intending to stupefy or overpower them so that someone can engage in sexual activity with them.

Relies on: Sexual Offences Act 2003 s.61(1).

Question 14

Which of these may indicate that a drink has been spiked?

  1. The drink has become cloudier or discoloured, is fizzing, or has a separation line in it
  2. The drink is still cold ten minutes after the customer was handed it at the bar
  3. The drink has a slice of lemon or lime floating in it, as it did at the start
  4. The drink is being served in a branded glass that the venue has used for a while
Show the answer

Answer A. The drink has become cloudier or discoloured, is fizzing, or has a separation line in it

The unit content lists a drink becoming discoloured, cloudier or fizzing, a separation line in the drink, and also an unusual odour or taste, as possible indicators.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 4.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 15

Which of these is a measure venues can use to reduce opportunities for spiking?

  1. Letting customers hand their drink to someone they have only just met to hold
  2. Asking customers to leave their drinks at the front door when they use the toilet
  3. Putting a drink down on the nearest unattended table when going outside to smoke
  4. An attended table near toilets or smoking areas where drinks can be left safely
Show the answer

Answer D. An attended table near toilets or smoking areas where drinks can be left safely

The unit content lists an attended table near toilets or smoking areas, a policy of refusing to add alcohol to another person’s drink, and anti-spiking bottle stoppers and protective drink covers for customers who want them.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 4.6 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 16

What is the first priority when a door supervisor suspects that someone has been spiked?

  1. Writing up the incident book
  2. Finding out who is to blame
  3. Clearing the area of other customers
  4. The welfare of the potential victim
Show the answer

Answer D. The welfare of the potential victim

Home Office guidance says safeguarding the victim is the priority, and the unit content says to prioritise the welfare of the potential victim. Evidence, reporting and recording come once the person is safe.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 1 AC 4.8 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025); Home Office, Spiking: information for venues and festival organisers (GOV.UK, 21 Dec 2023).

Question 17

From 1 April 2025, what must a door supervisor hold before they can renew their SIA licence?

  1. Nothing extra, as renewal rules did not change
  2. A refresher qualification for door supervisors
  3. Only a new first aid certificate
  4. A new Level 3 qualification in security management
Show the answer

Answer B. A refresher qualification for door supervisors

GOV.UK says that from 1 April 2025 a door supervisor or security guard must have a refresher qualification before renewing their licence. It replaced the earlier top-up qualifications.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-the-training-you-need-for-an-sia-licence.

Question 18

What legal rights does an SIA-licensed door supervisor have when using force?

  1. No right to use force, not even in self-defence
  2. The same rights as a private individual and no more
  3. The same powers as a police constable on duty
  4. Greater powers than the public because they are licensed
Show the answer

Answer B. The same rights as a private individual and no more

The SIA specification says that achieving the qualification does not remove the obligation to act within the law on use of force, and that a door supervisor has the same rights as a private individual and no more.

Relies on: SIA Knowledge and Skills Specification: Physical Intervention Skills (Feb 2021), foreword.

Question 19

Under section 76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, what is the key test for the degree of force used?

  1. Whether the venue’s written policy allowed it and the manager reasonably approved of what was done afterwards
  2. Whether the person using force was a licensed door supervisor acting on their employer’s instructions at the time
  3. Whether it was reasonable in the circumstances as the person believed them to be, and not disproportionate
  4. Whether the person who was restrained made a complaint, or was injured, in the course of the incident
Show the answer

Answer C. Whether it was reasonable in the circumstances as the person believed them to be, and not disproportionate

Section 76 says the degree of force is judged by the circumstances as the person genuinely believed them to be, and disproportionate force is not regarded as reasonable.

Relies on: Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 s.76(3) and (6).

Question 20

What is the “principle of non-pain compliance”?

  1. Techniques should be painful enough to deter the person from resisting again
  2. Techniques should control or move a person without using pain to force compliance
  3. Pain should be used to make a person obey if they have ignored several warnings
  4. Only police officers may use any physical technique to control another person
Show the answer

Answer B. Techniques should control or move a person without using pain to force compliance

The licence-linked physical intervention skills are non-pain techniques. Pain compliance is not taught or used.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 1.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 21

What is positional (restraint) asphyxia?

  1. A long-term lung disease caused by smoking, which gradually restricts breathing and can lead to heart failure, death or brain damage
  2. A fear of heights or confined spaces, which causes panic and fast breathing when a person is held in a small room
  3. Breathing is restricted by the position or pressure of a forceful restraint, which can cause death or brain damage
  4. A reaction to alcohol or drugs only, which slows breathing and makes the person fall asleep without any restraint
Show the answer

Answer C. Breathing is restricted by the position or pressure of a forceful restraint, which can cause death or brain damage

Positional asphyxia occurs mostly in ground restraints where a person is held forcefully face down or face up. People have died, and others have suffered permanent brain damage.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 2.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 22

A situation has gone to the ground. What should staff aim to do?

  1. Leave them alone on the ground once they stop struggling and go back to the door
  2. Sit on their back to keep them down, and use body weight to stop them rolling over
  3. Get the person up, or to a comfortable seated or recovery position, as quickly as possible
  4. Hold them down firmly until police arrive, however long that takes
Show the answer

Answer C. Get the person up, or to a comfortable seated or recovery position, as quickly as possible

Taking someone to the ground carries extra risk. If it cannot be avoided, monitor breathing, appoint a team leader, keep talking and de-escalate force at the earliest opportunity.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 3.2 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 23

A person being restrained says they cannot breathe. What should staff do?

  1. Wait for the police to arrive first
  2. Release immediately and provide assistance
  3. Ask them to calm down and keep still
  4. Continue until the person stops talking
Show the answer

Answer B. Release immediately and provide assistance

Staff should immediately release and assist if the person complains of or shows signs of breathlessness or other adverse reactions. People can still speak when they have positional asphyxia.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 3.3 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 24

After a physical intervention, what should staff brief the emergency services about?

  1. Nothing, to avoid blame, and leave the police to find out the rest from the person themselves
  2. Only the person’s name and date of birth, because the emergency services will ask the person the rest themselves
  3. Only the cost of any damage caused, so that the venue can claim it back from the person
  4. The circumstances, the position and duration of the restraint, and any difficulties experienced
Show the answer

Answer D. The circumstances, the position and duration of the restraint, and any difficulties experienced

Responsibilities after intervention include briefing the emergency services on the circumstances, position, duration and difficulties, preserving evidence, securing witness testimony and completing a full individual report.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 3.7 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Question 25

Why is the ground a particularly dangerous place for a restraint?

  1. Because the ground is usually wet or cold, and the main risk is that the person may catch a chill while they are held there
  2. Because customers can watch, and the main risk is to the reputation of the venue rather than to the person who is being restrained
  3. Restraint-related deaths are most common in ground restraints, and the person is also exposed to falls, debris and assault
  4. Because it is noisy, and the main risk is that staff cannot hear instructions from the person who is held on the floor
Show the answer

Answer C. Restraint-related deaths are most common in ground restraints, and the person is also exposed to falls, debris and assault

Taking a person to the ground carries additional risks and should be avoided wherever possible.

Relies on: Refresher Unit 2 AC 3.1 (SIA-required unit content, Pearson BTEC refresher specification, Issue 2, Nov 2025).

Want more practice?

The SIA door supervisor refresher question bank has all 168 questions, not only these 25, with answers and notes in PDF and a self-marking mock paper for each of the two knowledge units. It is for people renewing a licence. If you are training for a first licence, use the first-time door supervisor practice test and the first-time question bank instead. The security guard refresher has its own free quiz, and both refresher banks are sold together at a lower price on the kit page.

Sources

Changes to this guide

  • 9 November 2026: First published. Questions checked against the sources listed above. GOV.UK’s SIA training pages were re-read on 9 November 2026, and the spiking offence in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (section 134) and the duties in the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 were still not in force.

This guide is general information written from the official sources listed above and checked on 9 November 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and Plainfiles is not endorsed by any government body. Rules change, so check the linked official pages for your own situation. Written and designed by Plainfiles with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, then checked against the official legislation and guidance listed in the sources. How we write and check our guides.