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Security Company Licence (SCL)

1. What kind of company is required to apply for an SCL?
All companies supplying individuals to do security work for another person for reward must hold a valid SCL. Any person other than a company acting under and in accordance with a valid SCL who supplies, agrees to supply, or holds himself out as supplying any individual to do security work for another person for reward commits an offence under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (SGSO).

2. How to apply for an SCL?
All SCL applications should be made to the Security and Guarding Services Authority (the Authority). Application forms can be obtained from the Authority’s office at Room 813, 8/F, Kowloon East Government Offices, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

The forms can also be downloaded from the Authority’s website –
http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/links/sgsia/scl.htm#forms

The completed application form (in duplicate) together with the supporting documents (Please see Question 3) should be returned in person to the Authority. An application fee is payable on application for the issue or renewal of a licence.

More details regarding the application procedures can be viewed in the “How to Apply – Security Company Licence” section in SGSIA’s website - http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/links/sgsia/howto-scl.htm. You can also obtain the “How to Apply – Security Company Licence” pamphlet from the Authority’s office.

For enquiries, please contact the Authority’s Secretariat at 2801 6181.

3. What are the documents that need to be enclosed during application?
Application for new issue of SCL:
(i) the original and one copy of the completed application form; and
(ii) 2 photocopies each of the following documents of the applicant company and companies mentioned in Q.8 of the application form –
(a) the Certificate of Incorporation;
(b) all Certificates of Incorporation on Change of Name;
(c) current Business Registration Certificate; and
(d) Branch Registration Certificate (if any)

Application for renewal of SCL:
(i) the original and one copy of the completed application form; and
(ii) 2 photocopies each of the current Business Registration Certificate and Branch Registration Certificate (if any) of the company.

4. How long will the application process take?
Under normal circumstances, the application process takes about 3 months. However, the processing time varies from case to case.

5. Does an applicant company need to be a limited company in order to apply for an SCL?
The company must be a company registered in Hong Kong as supported by a valid Certificate of Incorporation as well as a valid Business Registration Certificate. The company does not need to be a limited company.

6. Can a company incorporated overseas apply for an SCL?
Under the SGSO, a “company” means a body corporate –
(i) incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32); or
(ii) incorporated by any other Ordinance.

A body corporate incorporated under the law of a foreign country will not be a “company” for the purpose of the SGSO unless it is also incorporated under Cap. 32 or any other Ordinance of Hong Kong.

7. Can a residential address be used as the registered address for an applicant company for an SCL?
No. According to the “Matters to which the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority shall have regard when determining an application for a security company licence”, the applicant company should have a place of business, the size, layout and facilities of which is commensurate with its scale and nature of operations.

8. Can a company assign or transmit its own SCL to another company?
No. According to the SGSO, an SCL shall not be assignable or transmissible in any way.

9. Would the paid licence fee be refunded if an SCL ceases to be valid?
No. According to the SGSO, if for any reason a permit or a licence ceases to be valid, no part of the fee paid shall be refunded.

Security Personnel Permit (SPP)

10. Who is required to apply for an SPP?
All persons performing security work for reward must hold a valid SPP. Any individual who does, agrees to do, or holds himself out as doing or as available to do, security work for another person for reward without a valid permit commits an offence under the SGSO.

11. How to apply for an SPP?
All SPP applications should be made to the Commissioner of Police (Police Licensing Office). Application forms for the issue and renewal of a permit can be obtained from the Police Licensing Office, the Authority and District Offices of the Home Affairs Department.

The forms can also be downloaded from the Police’s website –
http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/licences/security.html

The completed application form should be returned by post, in person or sent in through employer to the Police Licensing Office. An application fee is payable on application for the issue or renewal of a permit.

More details regarding the application procedures can be viewed in the “How to Apply” section in the Authority’s website – http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/links/sgsia/howto-spp.htm. You can also obtain the “How to Apply – Security Personnel Permit” pamphlet from the Authority’s office or the Police Licensing Office.

For enquiries, please contact the Police Licensing Office at 2860 2973.

12. Will a person with criminal offences be granted an SPP?
According to the “Criteria for Issuing a Security Personnel Permit”, no person will normally be granted a permit if he/she:–
(i) was convicted of any offence specified in column 2 of Schedule 2 to the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance and the penalty imposed on him/her for that offence is the corresponding penalty specified in column 3 of that Schedule, within 5 years before submitting his/her application; or
(ii) is currently on probation, bound over, remission or suspended sentence; or
(iii) is within 3 years of release from a term of imprisonment; or
(iv) was convicted of 3 or more offences within 5 years before submitting his/her application. Offences involving fixed penalty tickets, traffic summons, illegal hawking, article obstruction, littering, jaywalking and failing to answer Police or Court bail are considered minor and will be excluded.

13. Where can I check the list of security training courses recognized under Quality Assurance System for Recognition Scheme?
The list of recognized security training courses is available on the website of the Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge (PEAK) of the Vocational Training Council at –
http://www.peak.vtc.edu.hk/cpdc/en/pdf/QAS_Course_List.pdf.

The enquiry number of the PEAK is 2919 1575.

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