Security Guard Licence / License

United States

Most states require a license to work as a security officer.  This license may include a criminal background check and/or mandated training requirements.  Here is a list of the more common state requirements but this does not include all requirements and/or updated requirements.  Please contact your local government for the latest requirements.

Arizona

A licensed security company is required to provide eight (8) hours of pre-assignment training to all persons employed as a security officer prior to the employee acting in the capacity of security officer.   This state-mandated curriculum must taught and the subjects must include criminal law and laws of arrest, uniforms and grooming, communications, use of force, general security procedures, crime scene preservation, ethics and first response.   
 
California

Applicants must obtain a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old, undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and complete a forty (40)-hour course of required training.  The training is broken down into sections and time-lines.  First the applicant will go through eight (8)-hours of BSIS-designed instruction on powers to arrest and weapons.  Then, within thirty (30) days of getting the individual officers license, they must receive sixteen (16)-hours of training on various mandatory and elective courses.  And lastly, within six (6)-months of getting their license, they must receive additional sixteen 16-hours of training on various mandatory and elective courses.
In addition, California security officers are also required to complete eight (8)-hours of annual training on security-related topics.  The training and exam may be administered by any private patrol operator or by any of a large number of certified training facilities. This training can be classroom or online.
        
New Jersey

As of 2006 all security personnel must undergo a state mandated certified training program. This law commonly referred to SORA is the state's effort to increase the quality of security personnel.
       
New Mexico

As of 2008 all security guards must undergo FBI background checks and a certified training program. Officers/Guards who carry firearms must subjected to additional training with a firearm through an approved firearms instructor and pass a physiological exam. The security industry is regulated through New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division.
        
Oklahoma

Security officers in Oklahoma are licensed by CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training). To be licensed as an unarmed officer an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and undergo forty (40) hours of classroom training and pass criminal background checks. Armed guards must be twenty-one (21) years of age, have another forty (40) hours of classroom training, qualify with their firearm and pass a psychological evaluation.
        
Pennsylvania

No licensing requirements to be an unarmed
security officer/guard. On the other hand, armed security officers/guards must undergo and successfully complete a forty (40) hour training course which includes shooting range time) in order to be certified to carry weapons and on watch while on duty under the Lethal Weapons Training Act (commonly referred to as Act 235 certification).  Certification involves qualifying on a pistol range, with firing of fifty (50) rounds of ammo larger than a .380acp. You are also required to qualify on a shotgun. The certification is good for five (5) years at which time an eight (8) hour refresher course must be taken or the certification will no longer be valid.
        
South Carolina

All Security Officers have the identical authority and power to make an arrest as Sheriff's Deputies, while on the property they are paid to protect.  Due to the risk of liability fears, most companies prohibit this authority by policy.  Private Security Officers may respond to calls for service, make arrests and use blue lights and traffic radar. They may also be specially authorized by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), to issue Uniform Traffic Tickets to violators. Security Officers are licensed or registered (as appropriate) by SLED for one (1) year at a time. Training for unarmed officers is eight (8) hours, an additional eight (8) hours is required for a security weapons permit or a concealed security weapons permit. Additional training hours are required to be documented for officers issuing public or private tickets as well as officers that will be using batons, pepper spray or taser guns.
        
Virginia

Security officers/guards in Virginia are required to be licensed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).  To be licensed as an unarmed security officer/guard one undergo eighteen (18) hours of classroom training from a licensed instructor in order to obtain this license and it must be done by the end of their 90th day after hire with a security company. Every two (2) years the card must be renewed, by completing an in-service with a licensed instructor.  To be licensed as an armed security officer one must complete an additional sixteen (16) hours of firearms training, six (6) hours of training in conducting a lawful arrest, and qualification with the type and caliber of weapon they intend to carry. Firearms endorsements must be renewed annually by completing an in-service and passing a firearm qualification. Licensed armed security officers are authorized under state code to arrest for any offense committed in their presence while they are on duty at the location they are hired to protect.  They may also be authorized by the chief law enforcement officer in their jurisdiction to issue summons to appear in court for felonies and misdemeanors.
        
St Louis, Missouri

Security officers are required to be licensed by the St Louis County Police or St Louis City Police. St Louis County Security Officer training is a two (2) day class and yearly renewal class. Armed officers/guards must shoot bi-annually to keep their "armed" status.  County license is called a Metropolitan License meaning to be good for St Louis City and County only.  More Info for St Louis County License is available though the County website posted here:  www.slmpd.org  Readers should note that this only applies to persons working in security in St Louis City or St Louis County areas.

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