The Original and #1 Website for Security Guard Training

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.



Armed Security Guard Training in Iowa

In the state of Iowa, you must have a license to be an armed security guard.  The governing authority is the Private Investigative Licensing division. There are certain criteria that you must meet before applying for your weapon permit.

Requirements for Armed Security Guard Iowa

1) Must present ID card showing that you have met the requirements as an unarmed guard before applying for your armed license:

  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Be able to work legally in the United States
  • No convictions or history of drug or alcohol use
  • Have good moral character
  • Have not committed any acts of fraud
  • Submit to fingerprinting
  • Attend and pass a Iowa state certified training course

2) Must be at least 21 years old

3) Successfully pass a thorough background check

Training Requirements:

Training requirements and the number of hours are up to the hiring agency. However, all training must be conducted by NRA certified trainers on fire and safety training.  An affidavit form showing proof of that training signed off by the NRA certified instructor with certificate number.

Weapon Permits:

Profession weapons permits are given after successfully passing the background check, application and any additional paperwork is submitted. The county sheriff’s office administers the weapon permit.

For more information, please call 515-725-6230 or visit the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Resources:

Armed Security Guard Training in Indiana

In the state of Indiana, it is up to the hiring company whether a license is required for a security guard. The licensing process is governed by the Statues & Rules IC 25-30-1-11 Employees of licensee; a security guard can be hired under the licensee, which is the hiring company. The hiring company is responsible for that security guard and must supply a photo ID and fingerprints of each security guard that isn’t licensed, if requested. Now here is where matters get gray. The statues do not address armed security guards for Indiana; therefore, it is left up to the county. However, on the Indiana State website there are requirements expected for those who want to license a firearm.

For companies that require you to be licensed as an armed security guard, you must first meet certain criteria:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Must be a United States citizen or registered resident alien
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Must be finger printed
  • Submit to FBI background check
  • No felony convictions or any crime involving the illegal use of weapons
  • Drug testing (which may be ongoing
  • Completed of Indiana state certified training courses set forth by the Department of Public Safety for Indiana

Requirements of Weapons Permit:

If needed, please see licensing regulations or follow the requirement set forth by hiring company.

For more information, please visit Indiana Professional Licensing Agency or call (317) 234-3040.

Armed Security Guard Training in Idaho

In the state of Idaho, armed security guards are not governed by the state. In fact, requirements are based on the county and handled by the county clerk’s office—so requirements may be different based on your particular county. According to one of the top-armed security guard companies in Ada County, it could take three months to be cleared as an armed security guard and these basic requirements must be met.

Basic requirements for armed security guards in Idaho:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • State Driver’s license
  • Pass a thorough background check and drug test
  • Good moral character
  • Good physical conditioning
  • Must have worked at least a year as an unarmed security guard
  • Good work record

Training Requirements

Firearms training requirements will vary based on the county. Training may be conducted by the hiring company. Passing a firearms test may be required.

Armed Security Guard Training in Hawaii

In Hawaii, effective July 1 2013, all security guards will need to be registered. However, the state statues prohibit the use of guns; therefore, it is up to each county to make those requirements for armed security guards. However, counties must satisfy requirement regulations pursuant to section 134-2(g)

Basic Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 year old
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Four years of guard experience
  • Pass an Exam
  • Be mental sound and not suffering from any psychological disorder, which will impede you from performing security guard duties
  • No convictions (not including expunged or annulled by the courts)
  • Submit to a criminal background check
  • Have good moral character
  • Have not committed any acts of fraud
  • Submit to fingerprinting
  • Provide criminal background abstract for the last 10 years
  • Good physical conditioning
  • Weapon permit issued by county police

Training Requirements:

  • Class room instruction (8 hours) before assigned to post
  • Yearly refresher training (4 hours)

For more information, see the State of Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards webpage here or call your local county clerk’s office.

Armed Security Guard Training in Georgia

To become an armed security guard in Georgia, you must be registered with a security company. In addition, your employer must submit a completed employment application and proof of completed training requirements before a weapon permit can be issued.

Additional Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 year old
  • Must be a United States citizen or registered resident alien
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Have good moral character
  • No felony convictions or any crime involving the illegal use of weapons
  • Have not committed any acts of fraud
  • Drug testing (which may be ongoing)
  • State driver’s license
  • Good physical conditioning

Basic Training Curriculum for Security Officers in Georgia

A basic training course consisting of at least 24-hours class instruction must be successfully completed. This course can be given by the potential employer or may be taken as a standalone class.

Curriculum may include but not limited to the following subjects:

  1. Role of Private Security
  2. Legal Aspects
  3. Patrol and Observation
  4. Incident Response
  5. Security Resources: Surveillance operation and documentation
  6. Customer Service Issues: Working with and addressing the public
  7. First Aid Overview

Additional Training:

  • Firearm training

Please note: If training is not offered by potential employer, stand-alone courses may require a fee.

For more information, please call 478-207-2440 or visit the Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies website. You can now submit your application online by clicking here.

Armed Security Guard Training in Delaware

An armed security guard must be licensed in Delaware. A commissioned or arm security guard must meet the basic requirements of a security guard that is not armed with a few extra requirements. Once all requirements are met, the license is administered by the Delaware Department of Public Safety. The license is good for two years and must be valid while employed. To keep license current, yearly courses must be completed.

Basic requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Must be hired by a licensed company
  • Drug testing (which may be ongoing)
  • Complete background check and finger prints
  • Must be a United States citizen or registered resident alien (provide proof that you are legally able to work in the US)
  • No felony convictions or any crime involving the illegal use of weapons (that includes violent misdemeanors and assault lll or offensive touching in the last three years)
  • Must complete a 16 hour certified training course by the state of Delaware before applying for license
  • Good physical conditioning

Additional Requirements for armed security guard in Delaware:

  • Three hour course (firearms)
  • Shooting range (must discharge gun at least three times a year)
  • Submit new finger print cards
  • Pay for new registration card

Fees:

  • Registration identification card is $20
  • Application fee is $69
  • Other fees may apply

Once you have successfully completed the certified course, you can apply for your license as armed security guard by calling (302) 672-5304 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit the Delaware State Police Department.

Armed Security Guard Training in Colorado

In the State of Colorado, an armed security guard must apply for a license as a security guard. However, there are no specific requirements for carrying a firearm. According to the Denver Excise and Licensing department any firearms requirements were removed as of 2007. In addition, there is no statewide regulation, which means all regulations are handled at the county level, and that means the requirements may vary from one county to the next.

Basic requirements for armed security guard:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Colorado resident
  • United States citizen or legal resident alien
  • Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID card
  • A valid social security card
  • Must provide a medical certificate (within 60 days of filing the security guard application) stating you are physically capable of performing the duties of a security guard. Only a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant certified by the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners can administer this certificate.
  • Proof of background check, within 30 days after filing the security guard application, from the CBI or other recognized source
  • If expected to carry a nightstick, mace or knife applicant must show proof of compliance, according to the ordinance amending Article V of Chapter 42 and Article II of Chapter 32 of
    7 the Denver Revised Municipal Code. There are specific rules as to the length of blade and nightstick. In addition, the use of mace is allowed based on these specific regulations.

Other Requirements that may apply

For more information, please visit Denver Business Licensing or call your local County Clerk’s office.

Armed Security Guard Training in Arkansas

In the state of Arkansas, an unarmed security guard is referred to as a commissioned officer and must be licensed. The hiring company is responsible for firearms training and must have a licensed training manager in place to contact said training. In addition, potential applicants must meet other basic qualifications.

Basic Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Must be a United States citizen or registered resident alien
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Have good moral character
  • No felony convictions or any crime involving the illegal use of weapons
  • Have not committed any acts of fraud
  • Drug testing (which may be ongoing)
  • State driver’s License
  • Good physical conditioning
  • Must have successfully completed unarmed security guard training
  • Must complete all requirements on application

Firearms training requirements for armed/commissioned officers in Arkansas:

  • Legal Limitations (1 hour)
  • Weapons Safety (1 hour)
  • Marksmanship (1 hour)
  • Firing range (1 hour)
  • Safety rules

Fees:

  • Application: $40.00
  • Background check: $41.25

For more information, please call 501-618-8600 or visit the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Service Section. Also, depending on your current private security status in Arkansas, you may be interested in reviewing the Upgrade Form for Private Security Officer (PSO) to Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) or Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO).

Security Guard Training in Wyoming

According to the Wyoming Attorney General’s office, there aren’t any state regulations in place for unarmed security guards. However, city or county levels may have their own requirements, in which case you should contact your local police station or City Clerk’s office. In addition, the company that is hiring you may have basic criteria that you must meet as well.

Standard requirements across state lines:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a United States citizen or legal alien
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • No felony convictions or any crime involving the illegal use of weapons
  • Background check, including fingerprinting

Other Requirements that May Be Helpful:

  • Driver’s License
  • Good Communication skills
  • Good physical conditioning
  • Be able to stand long periods of time

Training Curriculum:

Certain training may be required by the company that hires you. Useful training would include:

  1. Role of Private Security
  2. Legal Aspects
  3. Patrol and Observation
  4. Incident Response
  5. Security Resources: Surveillance operation and documentation
  6. Customer Service Issues: Working with and addressing the public
  7. First Aid Overview
  8. Report Writing

For more information, please visit the Cheyenne Police Department website, call 307-637-6535, or call your local City Clerk’s office.

Security Guard Training in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a registration is required for unarmed security guards. The Wisconsin Department of Regulation & licensing office regulates the licensing of unarmed guards. There are certain criteria that must be met before a license will be approved.

Basic requirements for unarmed security guards in Wisconsin:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a United States citizen or legal alien
  • Have good moral character
  • Mentally competent
  • No drug or alcohol use or dependence or distribution
  • May be required submit to a drug test
  • No felony convictions
  • No disabilities that would prevent performance of duty
  • Submit to criminal background check
  • Electronic Fingerprinting
  • Two forms of photo ID
  • Passport photo
  • Signed Release of information form for background check

Training Curriculum:

Certain training may be required by the company that hires you. Useful training would include:

  1. Role of Private Security
  2. Legal Aspects
  3. Patrol and Observation
  4. Incident Response
  5. Security Resources: Surveillance operation and documentation
  6. Customer Service Issues: Working with and addressing the public
  7. First Aid Overview
  8. Report Writing

For more information, please see the Wisconsin DSPS website and the Wisconsin Administrative Code for Private Detectives and Private Security Personnel. Wisconsin DSPS Private Detective/Security Agency license information is available here.