What is the BIIAB Level 2 National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS)?

The SIA issues licences to door supervisors who meet their criteria. In the interests of the industry as a whole and in support of its licence to practise, the SIA  invited BIIAB and City & Guilds to work together to develop the BIIAB Level 2 National Certificate for Door Supervisors.

To qualify for an SIA licence you will need to satisfy three requirements:

1) Pass an identity check

2) Pass a criminal records check

3) Possess a recognised door supervisor qualification.

The BIIAB Level 2 NCDS is such a recognised qualification and consists of two units:

• Unit 1 - Roles and Responsibilities of Door Supervisors - Including how to comply with the law, admission policies and procedures, refusing entry, searching, seizing articles, eviction, use of force, how to deal with emergencies, drugs, arrest, scene preservation and report writing.

• Unit 2 - Conflict Management for Door Supervisors - Takes candidates through managing conflict by applying dynamic risk assessment approaches, understanding the importance of self-awareness and acting proactively; how to resolve and learn from conflict.

Who is this qualification for?

The Level 2 NCDS is designed for those who wish to work in the industry; and is awarded to those who pass two examinations covering the basic knowledge and responsibilities of the occupation.

This nationally recognised qualification is the industry standard and enables a door supervisor to apply for a licence to practice.

Are there any exemptions to this qualification?

If you have completed a door supervisor training course and/or qualification you may be exempt from some or all of the SIA's training and qualification requirements.  For a list of SIA's exemptions, visit http://www.the-sia.org.uk

Candidates who have previously achieved the BIIAB Level 2 NCDS - Licensed Premises; and also hold the updated modules for Fire Safety, Drugs Awareness and Conflict Management are entitled to full exemption. 

If you have full exemption, you must contact BIIAB to request an Exemption Registration Form, providing your full name, address and date of birth. The form needs to be completed and returned to BIIAB so that your details can be sent to the SIA  to confirm your exemption. Failure to submit this form will mean that your licence application cannot be processed by the SIA.  The cost of obtaining exemption from BIIAB is £11.75 (including VAT).

What does the qualification cover?

Unit 1 - Roles and Responsibilities of Door Supervisors:

• the role of the door supervisor

• behavioural standards

• customer service skills

• health and safety at work

• civil and criminal law

• the law in relation to licensing

• equal opportunities

• young persons

• how to comply with regulations as a door supervisor

• searching people

• eviction/ejection

• offensive weapons

• first aid and emergencies

• drugs

• arrest

• incident recording and scene preservation.

Unit 2 - Conflict Management for Door Supervisors:

• introduction to communication skills and conflict management

• self-awareness

• avoiding conflict

• effective communication and customer service skills

• recognising and defusing conflict

• maintaining space

• defusing high risk conflict

• resolving and learning from conflict.

How long is the training course, where can I take it, and how much will it cost?

The course will take 15 hours per unit, including the two examinations, and is offered by a wide range of BIIAB approved centres.  The cost of courses is set by each approved centre.  A handbook is available which outlines the content of the course, and contains all the knowledge required to pass the examination

What does the assessment involve?

There are two examinations, one for each unit. Each examination has 40 multiple-choice questions and will take one hour. While Unit 1 is a conventional multiple-choice paper, Unit 2 requires you to watch video clips before answering the questions.