A Notice of Renewal of the Security Agency licence will be mailed to the company’s Director, approximately two months before the expiry of the existing licence.
The Renewal Notice will provide detailed information on the requirements to submit a renewal application.
A Security Agency's licence is required if your company is involved in any of the following:
a. Engage in the business of supplying, for reward, the services of Security Officers to other persons;
b. Advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person supplies for reward, or is willing to supply for reward, the services of Security Officers.
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Licensing Criteria for Security Agency
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To be eligible for a new Security Agency’s licence or a renewal of an existing licence, the business entity must meet the following criteria:
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Registration
(1) A registered business entity with ACRA
Company Directors/Partners
(2) There must be at least 2 directors/partners
(3) All directors/partners must be fit and proper persons1
(4) The directors/partners of the business entity must fulfil the following requirements:
(5) Unless exempted by the Licensing Officer, applicants must pass the Security Agencies Competency Evaluation (SACE) conducted by the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department and the Ministry of Manpower, to be eligible for an SA licence.
a. Applicants who pass all the prescribed core competencies are eligible for a 1 year licence;
b. Applicants who pass all the prescribed core competencies, and the stipulated number of elective competencies (as specified by the Licensing Officer) are eligible for a 2 year licence; and
c. First time applicants (“FTAs”) must pass 3 core competencies to be eligible for a 1 year licence. FTAs are not eligible to opt for elective competency assessment.
For more details on SACE, please visit here
For FTAs, please visit here to view the assessment checklist4
Other Requirements
(6) An initial paid-up capital5 of SGD$300,000 [ To be rescinded on 1 July 2023 ]
(7) [ With effect from 1 July 2023 ] An initial paid-up capital5 of SGD$500,000
(8) A physical office
(9) Certified with bizSAFE Level 26, and bizSAFE Level 3 for annual licence renewal.
1 Section 21(8) and 21(9) of the Private Security Industry Act 2007 states: In deciding whether a person or an officer^ of a business entity is a fit and proper person, the licensing officer may consider any of the following matters as indicating that the person or officer may not be a fit and proper person: (a) that the person or officer associates with a criminal in a way that indicates involvement in an unlawful activity; (b) that in dealings in which the person or officer has been involved, the person or officer — (i) has shown dishonesty or lack of integrity; or (ii) used harassing tactics; (c) that the person or officer is or was suffering from a mental disorder; or (d) that the person or officer is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into a composition with his debtors. The above mentioned shall not limit the circumstances in which a person or an officer of a business entity may be considered by the licensing officer not to be a fit and proper person.
^ “officer”, in relation to a business entity, means — (a) a director, partner, member of the board of management, chief executive, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a business entity that is a body corporate; (b) a partner of a business entity that is a partnership; or (c) a president, secretary, or any member of the committee of management of a business entity that is an unincorporated association (other than a partnership), or any person holding a position analogous to that of president, secretary or member of a committee, and includes a person who can control or substantially influence the conduct of the affairs of the business entity.
2 A director/partner who is not a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Singapore shall submit a Certificate of Non-Criminal Conviction (CNCC) from their country of origin if the director/partner is not a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Singapore.
3 Foreign directors who do not hold a work pass issued by MOM and are not based in Singapore may seek approval from the Licensing Officer for exemption from the requisite WSQ certification requirement. The business entity is required to submit the necessary documents, including a letter of undertaking to affirm that their foreign directors are not issued with Singapore work passes (work visas) and not involved in the daily management of the security agency.
4 FTAs are required to submit the documents (in soft copies and PDF-format) for the following SACE competencies during the licence application process. a) C.1: Pre-deployment Training b) C.2: Continuous Professional Development c) C.5: Business Continuity Plan
5 The requirement of initial paid-up capital is only applicable to First Time Applicants (FTAs). The requirement is not applicable to existing licensed SAs when they apply to renew their licences.
6 Existing security agencies must attain a minimum of bizSAFE Level 3 for licence renewal
Updated as of 25 November 2022 |
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Licensing Criteria for Security Agency |
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To be eligible for a new Security Agency’s licence or a renewal of an existing licence, the business entity must meet the following criteria: Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Registration
(1) A registered business entity with ACRA
Company Directors/Partners
(2) There must be at least 2 directors/partners
(3) All directors/partners must be fit and proper persons1
(4) The directors/partners of the business entity must fulfil the following requirements:
(5) Unless exempted by the Licensing Officer, applicants must pass the Security Agencies Competency Evaluation (SACE) conducted by the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department and the Ministry of Manpower, to be eligible for an SA licence.
a. Applicants who pass all the prescribed core competencies are eligible for a 1 year licence;
b. Applicants who pass all the prescribed core competencies,and the stipulated number of elective competencies (as specified by the Licensing Officer) are eligible for a 2 year licence; and
c. First time applicants (“FTAs”) must pass 3 core competencies to be eligible for a 1 year licence. FTAs are not eligible to opt for elective competency assessment.
For more details on SACE, please visit here For FTAs, please visit here to view the assessment checklist4
Other Requirements
(6) An initial paid-up capital5of SGD$300,000 [ To be rescinded on 1 July 2023 ]
(7) [ With effect from 1 July 2023 ] An initial paid-up capital5of SGD$500,000
(8) A physical office
(9) Certified with bizSAFE Level 26, and bizSAFE Level 3 for annual licence renewal.
1Section 21(8) and 21(9) of the Private Security Industry Act 2007 states: In deciding whether a person or an officer^ of a business entity is a fit and proper person, the licensing officer may consider any of the following matters as indicating that the person or officer may not be a fit and proper person: (a) that the person or officer associates with a criminal in a way that indicates involvement in an unlawful activity; (b) that in dealings in which the person or officer has been involved, the person or officer — (i) has shown dishonesty or lack of integrity; or (ii) used harassing tactics; (c) that the person or officer is or was suffering from a mental disorder; or (d) that the person or officer is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into a composition with his debtors. The above mentioned shall not limit the circumstances in which a person or an officer of a business entity may be considered by the licensing officer not to be a fit and proper person.
^“officer”, in relation to a business entity, means — (a) a director, partner, member of the board of management, chief executive, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a business entity that is a body corporate; (b) a partner of a business entity that is a partnership; or (c) a president, secretary, or any member of the committee of management of a business entity that is an unincorporated association (other than a partnership), or any person holding a position analogous to that of president, secretary or member of a committee, and includes a person who can control or substantially influence the conduct of the affairs of the business entity.
2A director/partner who is not a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Singapore shall submit a Certificate of Non-Criminal Conviction (CNCC) from their country of origin if the director/partner is not a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Singapore.
3Foreign directors who do not hold a work pass issued by MOMandare not based in Singapore may seek approval from the Licensing Officer for exemption from the requisite WSQ certification requirement. The business entity is required to submit the necessary documents, including a letter of undertaking to affirm that their foreign directors are not issued with Singapore work passes (work visas) and not involved in the daily management of the security agency.
4FTAs are required to submit the documents (in soft copies and PDF-format)for the following SACE competencies during the licence application process. a) C.1: Pre-deployment Training b) C.2: Continuous Professional Development c) C.5: Business Continuity Plan
5The requirement of initial paid-up capital is only applicable to First Time Applicants (FTAs). The requirement is not applicable to existing licensed SAs when they apply to renew their licences.
6Existing security agencies must attain a minimum of bizSAFE Level 3 for licence renewal
Updated as of 25 November 2022 |
You are required to obtain the following documents before applying for a Security Agency licence.
- Minimum 2 years' experience in security-related work or business holding management position
- WSQ Statement of Attainment for modules stated in ‘Eligibility’ section
- Paid-up capital of at least $300,000
- Highest education certificate (at least 3 GCE 'O" level passes or ITE NTC 2 or its equivalent)
- Proposed company name which does not infringe copyright or trademark
- Business plan outlining the:
- Financial outlay
- Research on market opportunities
- Organization chart
- Resumes of personnel actively involved in the day to day operations and administration
- Proposed uniform and insignia designs for security officers
- Audit and internal procedures to ensure approved and trained security officers are deployed
- Mechanism to facilitate continuous improvement and training of officers.
You must submit all supporting documents, together with the acknowledgement slip generated either via post or in person to:
OC Licensing
Security Industry Division
Police Licensing & Regulatory Department
391 New Bridge Road #02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
Alternatively, you can email to SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg
A non-refundable fee of $400 is required.
One year.
About 4 to 6 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You may also be required to attend an interview with the Licensing Officer.
You will be notified of the outcome via post. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
You can download the step-by-step guide to assist you in your application at GoBusiness Licensing.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
A letter of notice to renew the Security Agency licence will be mailed to the company’s Director, approximately two months before the expiry of the existing licence.
You have 14 days to submit the following documents if you wish to renew your existing licence:
a. Completed application form for licence renewal;
b. Completed form on:
i. Deployment sites for Executive Protection/Bodyguard/Bouncer;
ii. Updated contact details of SA; and
iii. Particulars of administrative and management staff in agency
You must submit all documents, within 14 days from the date of the renewal notification, via post to:
OC Licensing
Security Industry Division
Police Licensing & Regulatory Department
391 New Bridge Road #02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
A non-refundable fee of $400 is required.
About 4 to 6 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified of the outcome via post.
You are permitted to terminate your existing Security Agency licence any time before its expiration.
Please be informed that there will be no refund of licence fees upon cancelling the existing Security Agency licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
Immediate upon receipt of your Cancellation Request.
You can download the step-by-step guide to assist you in your cancellation.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
You can withdraw your application for a Security Agency Licence any time before licence approval.
If licence has been approved and issued, you will have to submit a request to cancel the licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
Immediate upon the receipt of your Withdrawal Request.
You can download the step-by-step guide to assist you in your withdrawal.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
You can amend the following information of your existing Security Agency licence:
- Name of Company/Business/LLP/Organisation
- Business operating address or details of branch office
- Name of licensee (for transfer of licence to new partners in partnership)
- Details of Director/Partner/LP General Partner or Limited Partner/LLP Manager or Partner/ Officer Bearer
- Contact details
- Employment or termination of licensed Security Officer
- Security Officer's employment grade
- Deployment site
You are required to obtain the following documents before amending your existing Security Agency licence.
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For amendment of: |
Documents required: |
Fees |
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Name of Company/Business/LLP/Organisation |
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$20 to change business name
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Business operating address or details of branch office |
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No fees required |
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Name of licensee (for transfer of licence to new partners in partnership) |
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$40 to transfer licence to new partners in partnership
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Details of Director/Partner/LP General Partner or Limited Partner/LLP Manager or Partner/ Officer Bearer |
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No fees required |
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Contact details
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No fees required |
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Employment or termination of Security Officer
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Security Officer's employment grade
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Deployment site
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About 14 working days (except for change of business address1) from the receipt of the submission and the necessary documents, if required. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified of the outcome via post. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
1 Change of business address will be updated within 7 working days.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
To download a copy of your Security Agency’s active staff list, login to GoBusiness using your company’s CorpPass and follow the following steps:
- Select “Licensed Entities”
- Select “Singapore Police Force” > Enquiry on Existing SPF Licences
- At “Licence Type” drop down box, select “Security Agency Licence”
- Select “Active Staff List” from the “Enquiry Type” drop down box
- Enter the Licence No. and click the search button
To check on the Security Officers’ employment grade and training status, login to GoBusiness using your company’s CorpPass and follow the following steps:
- Select “Licensed Entities”
- Select “Singapore Police Force” > Enquiry on Existing SPF Licences
- At “Licence Type” drop down box, select “Security Agency Licence”
- Select “Individual Licence” from the “Enquiry Type” drop down box
- Enter the licensed Security Officer’s NRIC/FIN and click the search button
- System will display the officer’s particulars
- Click “View training records”
As an employer of your Security Officers, a licensed Security Agency ought to be familiar with the training requirements and job functions for each staff grade under the Security Progressive Wage Model.
Security Officers must have attained the relevant training certifications before they can perform certain job functions.
Information on Security Officer’s training requirements can be found here.
“Recognise Terrorist Threats” (RTT) for Security Officers from 1 January 2020
Please refer to the following link for the Information Sheet on Assessment-Only-Pathway for the WSQ Recognize Terrorist Threats:
Please refer to the following link for the Press Release on the above:
Please refer to the following link for the FAQ on RTT:- FAQ on RTT [PDF]
Dear Customers,
With effect from 1 Aug 2021, the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department will further restrict over-the-counter services at the Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road, to attend to services with pre-approved appointments only, including making payments at counter for services that cannot be done online. This move supports the Multi-Ministry Taskforce’s implementation of elevated safe distancing measures.
2 To make an appointment, please use the following link or QR code: www.picktime.com/policelicensing
3 We will attend to cases of persons who turn up without an appointment on a case by case basis, only if they have valid reasons. For collection of controlled item(s), please pay the license fee for the item(s) (if any) online, and email us at SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg to arrange for collection.
4 For enquiries, please use our online services on www.police.gov.sg/licence or email us at SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg.
5 We seek your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
6 Thank you.
If you are familiar with the application requirements and wish to apply now, please click here to proceed to GoBusiness Licensing. CorpPass is required for login to GoBusiness Licensing.
Recommended Uniform for Security Officers
Employment Guide for Security Industry – Information for Security Agencies & Officers by MOM
Tripartite Advisory on Responsible Outsourcing Practices by MOM
Recommended Orientation/Induction Checklist for New Security Officers