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Bodyguard

Alternative titles for this job include Close protection officer, CPO

Bodyguards protect individuals or groups from the risk of violence, kidnapping and other harmful situations.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

46 to 48 variable

You could work

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

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Direct application

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.

More 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.

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
  • 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

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

  • protecting clients from threats like terrorism, or from political opponents, stalkers or over-enthusiastic fans
  • checking out premises before clients arrive
  • planning to identify and prevent potential threats or disruption
  • staying constantly alert to react to threatening situations
  • accompanying clients on business and social visits
  • driving 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 and progression

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

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a bodyguard right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Certificate in Public and Security Services 2 x GCSE re-sit - Level 2

  • Provider: DERBY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 August 2020
  • Location: Ilkeston

Principles of Providing Security Services

  • Provider: Gloucestershire College
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location:
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