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Bodyguard
Close protection officer, CPO, personal bodyguard
Bodyguards protect individuals and groups from potential threats to their safety at events, when travelling and during everyday activities.
Average salary (a year)
£0
Starter
£0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 51.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this career by completing a course with a private training provider.
Other Routes
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.
More Information
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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
have a good level of fitness
have a first aid certificate
be over 18 years of age
have a full driving licence
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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.
You may need to wear smart business clothes.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could specialise in surveillance, driving or residential security, or move into risk assessment consultancy or bodyguard training.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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