Updated: February 2026
Planning to become a CCTV operator? Understanding the complete costs involved helps you budget properly and avoid surprises. This guide breaks down every expense from training through to receiving your SIA licence.
Total Cost Summary
Total investment: £384-£484
This includes:
- Training course: £200-£300
- SIA licence application: £184
Let’s break down each component.
SIA CCTV Training Course Costs
Standard Training Fees: £200-£300
The 3-day SIA-approved CCTV course is your main expense. Prices vary by location and provider.
What’s typically included:
3 full days of instruction (9am-5pm each day)
All course materials and handouts
Practice exam papers
Final examination fee (written + practical)
BTEC Level 2 certificate upon passing
Tea, coffee, refreshments
Access to control room simulator equipment
What’s NOT included:
SIA licence application (£184 – paid separately to SIA)
Lunch (but local cafes usually nearby)
Travel to/from training centre
Accommodation (if needed)
Price Variations by Region
London: £250-£350
- Higher due to venue costs
- Central locations premium priced
- Competition keeps some providers affordable
Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds: £200-£280
- Our Manchester course: £200 all-inclusive
- Good value with strong pass rates
- Easy transport access
Smaller cities: £180-£250
- Often slightly cheaper
- Fewer courses available (less frequent dates)
- May need to travel to major city
Exam Retakes
Reputable providers: Unlimited retakes at no extra cost
Budget providers: May charge £50-100 per retake
Important: Check retake policy before booking. With quality training, 90-95% pass first time, but unlimited retakes provide peace of mind.
Our policy: Unlimited retakes included – we support you until you succeed.
Online vs In-Person Training
In-person (traditional): £200-£300
- 3 full days on-site
- Most common format
- Best for hands-on practice
Hybrid (online + in-person): £200-£300
- 2 days online learning
- 1 day in-person practical
- Same cost as full in-person
- More flexible scheduling
Fully online: Not available
- Practical assessment must be in-person
- SIA requires hands-on demonstration
- Beware providers offering “fully online” – likely not legitimate
SIA Licence Application Costs
Standard Application: £184
This is paid directly to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) after you pass your training.
£184 fee includes:
DBS (criminal background) check
Application processing
Identity verification
Physical licence card
3-year licence validity
Payment terms:
- Must be paid in full upfront
- No instalments available
- Non-refundable (even if rejected)
- Debit or credit card only
Additional SIA Costs to Consider
Replacement licence card: £20
- If lost or damaged
- Name change requires new card
- 10-14 days delivery
Licence renewal (after 3 years): £184
- Same price as initial application
- Includes new DBS check
- No need to retake training
- Apply 8-12 weeks before expiry
Hidden or Additional Costs
Travel & Accommodation
Training centre travel:
- Budget £5-30 depending on location
- Most centres have good public transport
- Free parking often available
Accommodation (if needed):
- £40-80 per night for budget hotel
- May need 2-3 nights
- Only necessary if training far from home
- Many choose to commute even from 50-60 miles away
ID Photos
Passport photo for SIA application: £5-10
- Must meet passport photo standards
- Taken within last 6 months
- Some providers include photo service
- Boots, Snappy Snaps, or use iPhone/Android photo apps
Time Off Work
3 days training:
- Some take annual leave
- Others choose weekend courses
- Many training centres offer Monday-Wednesday courses
- Unemployed/students: no cost
Lost wages (if applicable): £200-400 for 3 days
- Factor this if giving up paid work
- Evening/weekend courses may be available
- Investment pays back within 2 months of starting work
Payment Options & Financing
Pay in Full (Most Common)
Advantages:
- Often small discount (5-10%)
- Immediate booking confirmation
- No credit checks
Instalment Plans
Some training providers offer payment plans:
- Split into 2-3 payments
- Usually no interest if paid before course start
- May require deposit (£50-100)
Example plan:
- Deposit: £50
- Before day 1: £75
- Before day 2: £75
- Total: £200
Employer Sponsorship
Some employers cover training costs:
- Security companies recruiting new staff
- Usually requires 6-12 month commitment
- May need to repay if you leave early
- Not common but worth asking
Government Funding
Universal Credit recipients: May be eligible for training grants
Unemployed: Check with local Jobcentre for support
Apprenticeships: Some providers offer apprenticeship routes (rare for CCTV)
Value for Money Analysis
Return on Investment
Total investment: £384-£484
First year salary: £22,000-£26,000
Break-even: Within first 2 months of employment
3-year licence period earnings:
- Minimum: £66,000 (staying entry-level)
- With one promotion: £78,000-£90,000
- With progression: £90,000-£108,000
ROI: 13,600% minimum over 3 years
Few qualifications offer better return on investment.
Comparing Training Costs
SIA CCTV course: £200-£300 (3 days)
Other SIA courses:
- Door Supervisor: £150-£250 (4 days)
- Security Guard: £120-£200 (3 days)
- Close Protection: £800-£2,000 (14 days)
Other quick qualifications:
- First Aid at Work: £120-£180 (3 days)
- Fork Lift Training: £150-£400 (3-5 days)
- HGV Class 2: £1,500-£2,500 (5 days)
CCTV training is competitively priced for a professional qualification.
How to Save Money
1. Choose Value Providers
Don’t just pick cheapest:
- Check pass rates (aim for 90%+)
- Read reviews (Google, Trustpilot)
- Confirm unlimited retakes included
- Verify SIA approval status
Warning signs of poor quality:
- Much cheaper than average (£100-150)
- No verifiable reviews
- Vague about curriculum
- High-pressure sales tactics
2. Book Early
Some providers offer early-bird discounts:
- £10-30 off if booking 2+ weeks ahead
- Group booking discounts (3+ people)
3. Location Choice
Training in major cities often costs less due to competition:
- Manchester, Birmingham competitive pricing
- Smaller cities may charge premium
- London expensive but more dates available
4. Combine Qualifications
If planning multiple SIA courses:
- Bundle discount (5-15% off)
- Efficient use of time
- Shared materials
Example: CCTV + Door Supervisor together may save £40-60
5. Avoid Unnecessary Extras
Don’t pay for:
- “Fast-track” fees (normal processing is fine)
- Expensive parking (use public transport)
- Overpriced lunch packages
- “Premium” course materials (standard is sufficient)
Total Budget Planning
Minimum budget (no frills):
- Training: £200
- SIA application: £184
- Travel: £10
- Photo: £5
- Total: £399
Comfortable budget:
- Training: £250
- SIA application: £184
- Travel: £30
- Photo: £8
- Lunch x 3 days: £25
- Buffer: £25
- Total: £522
Maximum scenario (including accommodation):
- Training: £300
- SIA application: £184
- Hotel x 2 nights: £140
- Travel: £50
- Food: £50
- Miscellaneous: £30
- Total: £754
Most people spend £400-500 total.
Payment Timeline
Week 1: Book and pay for training (£200-300)
Week 2-3: Complete training
Week 4: Pay SIA application (£184)
Week 8-10: Receive licence
Total outlay occurs over 4-5 weeks, not all at once.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Absolutely yes, here’s why:
Quick qualification (3 days)
Affordable (under £500 total)
High employment rate (90%+ find work)
Good salary (£22k-26k starting)
Fast payback (2 months to break even)
3-year licence validity
Clear career progression
No ongoing CPD costs
Start Your Training Today
Ready to invest £384-£484 in your future career?
Book your course now:
Manchester SIA CCTV Training – £200
- All-inclusive pricing
- 97% pass rate
- Unlimited retakes
- Same-day results
Questions about costs or payment options?
Call 08000 24 2443 or email info@dynamiseducation.co.uk
Further reading:
Prices accurate as of February 2026. Training costs vary by provider. SIA licence fee set by government and subject to periodic review.