Security Guard Training HQ

Online Security Guard Training and Career Center

Welcome to Security Guard Training Headquarters! We have everything you need to make your life easier as you begin your career as a security guard officer. State specific training requirements, a step-by-step hiring process, potential employers and interviews to help you get hired are just some of the helpful things you'll find here.

Getting Started - Selecting a Training Program

It can be overwhelming at first to know how to get started in your quest to become a security guard. This site is here to help. The first thing you’re going to want to do, is select a program that matches the requirements for the state in which you wish to serve as a security guard. Understanding these State specific requirements will help you select the right program for you. Another important decision to make is whether or not you will pursue an armed guard certification. Becoming armed guard certified requires a few more steps, training and licensing, however, the payoff could well be worth it for you in the long run. Not only do armed guards typically receive higher pay, they also carry the added benefit and protection of a weapon on hand. This does mean a greater degree of responsibility on your part, but many feel the benefits outweigh the risk.

Once you have determined the type of program you wish to pursue you can begin selecting a training program near you. Some are even offered online. This is great convenience for those who are wishing to pursue their certificate while continuing to work, and allows for convenient scheduling. Online courses should be selected based on their content and validity. It is important to ensure an online course certification is accepted within your State, and the training you will receive from the course meets all the requirements for full certification.

Security Guard

A security guard is paid to protect. Whether it's people, places, property or assets - a security officer's duty is an extremely important one, which is why the protection services industry is one of the most popular among job seekers today.

Most are employed through private companies that are hired by those who seek protection. No matter what part of the world you may live in, there's always a demand for keeping watch, however training requirements and regulations vary from State to State in the U.S., and country to country as well.

Security Guard Job Description

The job description for a security guard will vary depending on what type of position one is applying for.

For example, an unarmed guard will have different sets of responsibilities than an armed guard - one who carries a firearm while on duty. Some officers will be on patrol, while others will be stationary.

Typically, however, the job entails:

• Identifying and preventing risky situations.
• Decreasing criminal activity.
• Communicating and assisting police enforcement.
• Assisting people during emergency situations when they arise.

For more information about the security guard job description, click here.

Security Guard Jobs

As previously mentioned, the demand for security guards is extremely high. As long as you meet the qualifications and have completed the proper training (and again, training requirements depend on your geographical location), you have a great chance of getting hired.

Whether it's through a private company looking to hire their own employed officers, or an actual security guard company that is hiring a force that can be distributed to various job sites and clients, your chances of getting hired are excellent.

Please download the free interview guide that can be found on the right hand sidebar for additional tips for your upcoming interviews, and also be sure to check out our highly popular security guard jobs board, which is creating new jobs for people like you every single day.

Common Security Guard Jobs

There are so many different venues that hire security guards to perform the duties of safety in a location or site. Cities often hire security companies to staff sites such as libraries, government buildings, and other city run services. Privately and publicly owned malls, movie theaters, restaurants and clubs are other venues that often employ armed and unarmed guards, patrol or protection officers, and security companies. Security escorts are another employment opportunity for properly certified security guards.

Most people who have obtained the basic security guard training begin applying for positions within a security guard company. These companies place guards at the locations which they have been hired to staff. What this means for you is, if you have an idea of where you want to serve as a security guard, you don’t apply to that location, rather you apply to the security company which that location has hired to staff the site.

Other Common security guard jobs may include:

• Patrol Officer: A Patrol Officer typically has similar duties to a security guard, but is required to walk (or drive) regular patrols in a specific area to monitor for any suspicious activity.
• Access Gate Security: These security guards are hired to monitor a specific entry (and or exit) of an area to ensure that only proper personnel have entry to a location, building, or area.
• Security Escort: A Security escort often has the task of accompanying visitors or staff in a location where they may not have proper clearance, and monitor those in their company while on site.

Security Guard License

Some states require that you first get a license before you seek employment as a security guard.

In California, for example, you need a guard card, issued by the state, which proves that you have passed fingerprint scan for a background check.

The same goes with the state of Illinois (with a PERC card) and several other states as well.

Other states don't require a license at all, so it's best to check using the convenient map above to see if your area needs you to first get a license before seeking employment.

Armed Security Guard Training

After starting out as an entry level security guard, several people will train even more to obtain a license or permit to carry a firearm while on duty.

Armed security guard training is more intensive, for obvious reasons, and the pass rate for those who take the tests is far less.

The training and examination always include practice on the firing range. Weapons will typically be provided either by the training company and/or the firing range.

Besides the training on the range, basic knowledge about weapons handling, safety, and most importantly - when you are and are not allowed to use a weapon (i.e. the law), will be learned.

After one completes their training and passes their examinations, many more security positions that require some kind of firearms permit will open up, and typically they are higher paying jobs as well.

Specialized Security Jobs

There are many other types of security related jobs within the field beyond that of an armed or unarmed guard. Most require additional training and/or certification or schooling.

• Security Engineer: A Security Engineer typically focuses on safety within computer systems and Cyberware. There is a high demand these days for well qualified engineers in order to protect information stored online or in databases.
• Security Analyst: A Security Analyst is similar to a Security Engineer and does most of their work to ensure cybersecurity for a given company. An analyst will detect where security needs to be improved.
• Security Consultant: A Security Consultant is hired to improve security in a company, workplace or location. They will give guidance on how to implement new security measures to improve safety.

Security Guard Training in NYC

New York City is a hotbed for the security industry. When you think about how many different companies and properties there are in NYC that need a team of trained people to keep everything safe (especially after 9/11), it becomes obvious.

Unarmed security guard training in NYC involves an 8-hour "pre-assignment" training course, which you must first pass before applying for a registration card and before you can become employed.

After you obtain your registration card, however, you can then begin work and within the first 90 days after hire, you must complete an additional 16 hours of on-job training.

Feel free to read our post about security guard training in New York for more detailed information.

Online Security Guard Training

Many jurisdictions allow one to take training online, however these are usually the most basic, entry-level courses. This can be a convenient way to, in the comfort of your own home, pass the exam necessary in order to obtain your license which will then allow you to get a job.

Again, it depends on where you live, because online courses aren't always accepted. Make sure that if you do live in a state that allows online training, that it's from a state-certified program that will give you what you need to proceed.

More information from wikipedia.

Image Credit: Uckhet on Flickr