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How to Prepare for a Close Protection Course (2026)

Preparing for a Close Protection (CP) course isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. The course is intense, practical, and built to simulate real operational demands. Turning up unprepared makes the training harder, more stressful, and less effective, especially for those moving up from Door Supervision or joining the industry for the first time.

This guide gives you a clear, realistic overview of what you should do before starting your CP course in 2026. No hype, no nonsense, just practical preparation to help you get the most out of your training and set the foundation for your career.

📋 Understand What the Course Actually Involves

Many people underestimate CP training. Before attending, make sure you fully understand what’s included.

Most UK CP courses involve:

  • Threat & risk assessments
  • Surveillance awareness
  • Route planning
  • Operational planning
  • Protective formations & foot drills
  • Vehicle skills & convoy principles
  • Law & legislation
  • Conflict management
  • Communications
  • Emergency First Aid at Work (minimum)

👉 Read: Close Protection Operative Guide (2026) to get context and help mentally prepare yourself for the type of work expected.

💪 Realistic Fitness Preparation

Close Protection courses require practical physical work, not bodybuilder strength or marathon fitness, but operational fitness.

Aim to improve your:

Core strength – Carrying bags, operating long hours, and maintaining posture in formations.

Cardiovascular fitness – Nothing extreme; focus on brisk walks, light runs, or intervals.

Mobility & flexibility – People ignore this, then struggle with the physical drills.

General conditioning – Circuits, bodyweight training, practical movement.

Your goal: not to be the fittest in the room, but not to be the one slowing everyone down.

✚ Medical Training: What You Need Before Attending

Every CP licence requires Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) at minimum, but in reality this isn’t enough.

Before your course, you should strongly consider:

  • FREC 3 (current industry standard baseline)
  • FROS (new route becoming more widely recognised in 2026)
  • FPOS(i) (still widely respected)

If you don’t hold these yet, at least read up on the difference so you aren’t confused when they’re mentioned on the course.

*Note: Many CP courses have a medical course attached

👉 Read: Insurance for Security Professionals — many insurers offer discounts if you already hold medical qualifications.

📄 Documentation & Admin Preparation

Turn up organised, instructors expect professionalism.

Prepare:

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of address
  • EFAW or other medical certificates
  • Notebook + pens

  • Any pre-course reading provided by the provider

👉Read: SIA Licence Requirements

If you don’t meet the SIA requirements before the course, you’ll delay your ability to apply for the licence after.

🌐 Mindset & Professionalism

This is one of the biggest factors affecting success on a CP course.

Adopt a professional mentality from day one:

  • Be 10 minutes early to everything
  • Dress presentably (even for practical days)
  • Listen more than you talk
  • Don’t try to “act tactical”
  • Don’t name-drop or exaggerate experience
  • Respect that many candidates will be ex-military or police
  • Take notes

Instructors notice maturity and professionalism. It will genuinely impact how they assess you.

📚Basic Pre-Course Reading & Familiarisation 

You don’t need to become an expert before attending, but you should be familiar with:

  • UK law regarding use of force
  • Basic risk assessment principles
  • Introductions to surveillance and counter-surveillance
  • Situational awareness concepts
  • Differences between CP and general guarding
  • Why clients hire CP teams

👉 A good starting reference is here: Close Protection Operative Guide (2026)

🎒Equipment to Bring to Your CP Course 

Most reputable training providers will provide you with a basic kit list with your course joining instructions.

However some basics you might want to consider bringing include:

  • Black or dark outdoor-friendly clothing
  • Notebook
  • Torch
  • Water bottle
  • Basic first aid kit (personal, not a medic bag)
  • Comfortable trainers and boots
  • Laptop or tablet (useful for assignments)

Your course provider will supply:

  • Radios
  • Earpieces
  • Scenario equipment

💷 Budgeting & Costs

Beyond the course fee, expect additional costs:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Medical qualification (if not included)
  • SIA licence application fee
  • Equipment upgrades later
  • Insurance (if self-employed)

✔️ Choosing the Right Training Provider (Quick Checklist)

While our full recommended provider list is still being compiled, here’s what to look for:

Good signs:

  • Real operational instructors
  • Transparent course structure
  • Strong reviews from operatives
  • Realistic assessments, not “tick-box” training

Red flags:

  • Heavy sales tactics
  • Promises of guaranteed jobs
  • No operational background
  • Very short or suspiciously cheap courses

👉 Read: Close Protection Training Providers

📌 Conclusion

Preparing properly for your Close Protection course makes the training smoother, more effective, and far more valuable. Whether you’re transitioning from Door Supervision, coming from a military/police background, or entering CP fresh, the steps above will put you miles ahead of the average candidate.

Professionalism starts before the course, and the way you prepare reflects the kind of CP operative you intend to become.

👉 Find a Close Protection course today


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