Bodyguard

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

46 to 48 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Bodyguard

You can get into this career by:

a college course
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply to an organisation directly to work as a bodyguard or go through a recruitment agency specialising in security work. You'll need a Close Protection licence issued by the Security Industry Authority.

To get a licence, you'll usually need to complete the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative. This is available through training providers approved by the Security Industry Authority. Older qualifications may be acceptable, depending on when you got them.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of public safety and security
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
thinking and reasoning skills
concentration skills
customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

protect clients from threats like terrorism, or from political opponents, stalkers or over-enthusiastic fans
check out premises before clients arrive
plan to identify and prevent potential threats or disruption
stay constantly alert to react to threatening situations
accompany clients on business and social visits
drive clients to and from venues

Working Environment

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could specialise in surveillance, driving or residential security, or move into risk assessment consultancy work.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Many people enter this career after working in the police or the armed forces.

It may be useful if you can speak more than one language for certain jobs, for example diplomatic work.

Further information

You can find more details about training to be a bodyguard through the Security Industry Authority.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

have a good level of fitness
have a first aid certificate
pass enhanced background checks
be over 18 years of age
have a Security Industry Authority licence
have a full driving licence