Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority
1. 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.
2. 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 Authority’s website –
http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/links/sgsia/spp.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.
3. What are the charges for an SPP application?
The application fee for an SPP application is $50, which is non-refundable irrespective of the outcome of the application. If the application is successful, a permit fee of $110 has to be paid for issuing an SPP. For administrative convenience, a total of $160 covering both application fee and permit fee will be collected upon application. If the application is unsuccessful, the permit fee of $110 will be refunded to the applicant by a mailed cheque.
Applicants may apply for more than one type of SPPs, for instance, Category A and B SPPs, in one go. Irrespective of the number of types being applied, a standardised fee, i.e. $160, will be charged for each application.
4. 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.
5. 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 –
https://www.peak.edu.hk/exam/en/qas.
6. What is the age limit for the Category B Security Personnel Permit ("SPP")?
The upper age limit for the Category B SPP is 70. An applicant aged 65 or above is required to produce a medical certificate to demonstrate his fitness for the job at the time of application and to submit such certificate thereafter every two years, whereas a permit holder reaching the age of 65 during the SPP validity period is required to submit a medical certificate when he/she reaches 65 and thereafter every two years.
7. How to obtain a medical certificate for a medical check?
An applicant or a permit holder may obtain a standard medical examination form from the PLO or its website for completion by any local registered medical practitioner after the examination to certify that he/she is fit to perform security work.
8. When should a permit holder submit a medical certificate?
According to the "Conditions for issuing a Security Personnel Permit", a permit holder should submit a medical certificate:-
(i) within the 3-month period prior to his/her 65th birthday if he/she reaches 65 during the validity period, and thereafter every two years; or
(ii) within the 3-month period from 1 year and 9 months to 2 years following permit issuance if he/she is 65 years of age or above at the time of application and has submitted such a certificate then, and then two years afterward.
9. What are the penalties for failure to submit medical certificates (medical check reports)?
The requirement of submitting medical certificates has been made one of the conditions for SPP issuance. Pursuant to sections 10 and 31 of the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance ("SGSO"), any person who contravenes the SPP conditions is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for 3 months.
10. Will the Police remind permit holders to submit medical check reports on time?
The PLO will issue reminder to permit holders of the need to submit medical certificate before the due date and issue warning after the due date. Only if the permit holder fails to respond will the Police consider conducting investigation or instituting prosecution.
11. Will the PLO, when informing SPP holders of the requirement to submit medical certificates (medical check reports), notify their employers as well?
No, it will not. Submission of medical certificates has been made one of the conditions for issuing SPPs. Submission of medical certificates (medical check reports) according to the SPP conditions is therefore the responsibility of permit holders.
12. Will the Police apply to the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority ("SGSIA") for revoking the SPP of a holder for his/her failure to submit a medical certificate (medical check report)?
Pursuant to section 18 of the SGSO, if in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police ("the Commissioner") that an SPP holder is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the permit, he may apply to the SGSIA for revocation or suspension of the SPP.
When considering if a holder is a fit and proper person and whether or not to invoke the mechanism under section 18 to revoke his/her SPP, the Commissioner will make a holistic consideration. The medical certificate (medical check report) is one of the reference factors. Other key factors for consideration include good character (e.g. criminal record) and employment history of the permit holder.
13. Will an SPP holder’s failure to pass a medical check result in immediate invalidation of his/her SPP?
If an SPP holder is confirmed by a medical certificate (medical check report) to be physically unfit for security work, it will not result in automatic invalidation of his/her permit. However, if the Commissioner considers that the holder is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the permit, he may apply to the SGSIA for revocation of the permit under section 18 of the SGSO.
14. Who is responsible to pay for the medical certificate fee, the employer or the employee?
It is the responsibility of a security guard to apply for an SPP to perform security work. Legally speaking, he/she as the applicant should pay the relevant fees (including the application and medical certificate fees).
For enquiries, please contact us.