Bodyguard
Bodyguards protect individuals and groups from potential threats to their safety at events, when travelling and during everyday activities.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a bodyguard, you could:
- protect clients from threats like terrorism, political opponents, stalkers or over-enthusiastic press and fans
- check out and secure premises before clients arrive
- identify suspicious behaviour or unauthorised people
- diffuse situations before they flare up
- remove clients from potentially dangerous situations
- drive clients to events or accompany them during travel
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 smart business clothes.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in surveillance, driving or residential security, or move into risk assessment consultancy or bodyguard training.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of public safety and security
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- concentration skills
- leadership skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and 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
How to become
You can get into this career by completing a course with a private training provider.
You'll need to apply for a Close Protection licence issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to work as a bodyguard.
To apply, you must first complete the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative course, which is done through an SIA-approved training provider. You will also need a close protection first aid qualification.
Once you have your licence, you can apply to an organisation directly to work as a bodyguard or go through a recruitment agency specialising in security and close protection work.
Experience in the police, armed forces or prison service could be useful.
Career tips
There is increasing demand from clients for female bodyguards.
Salaries vary widely. As a guide, daily rates can range from £150 to over £300, depending on factors like location, level of risk and extent of potential threat.
Further information
You'll find information about training to be a bodyguard from the Security Industry Authority.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.