A security guard/officer is an individual employed by a contract security company or a proprietary security organization to protect persons and/or property from criminal activities. A security guard who holds armed guard registration may work an armed or unarmed post, and is not required to hold an additional "unarmed" guard registration. 

All armed security guards must meet the armed guard registration requirements in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age for registration as an armed security guard.
• Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.
• Be legally mentally competent, be of good moral character.
• Be free of habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence.
• Have no disability which would prevent performance of duties.
• Be free of convictions including:
  Probation for 5 years for serious crimes OR Crimes involving:
  • Firearms
  • Shoplifting
  • Violence
• Must meet the statutory training requirements.
• Submit three fingerprint cards for processing by TBI and FBI for a criminal history check.

Training Requirements

Training includes an examination covering subjects in which the individual must have training. All candidates must complete a four hour basic course including one (1) hour each of:

• Orientation.
• Legal powers and limitations of a security guard/officer.
• Emergency procedures.
• General duties.
• Any additional training for weapons or other devices that are less than lethal he or she will use.
• An armed guard must complete eight additional hours in the classroom covering:
• Legal limitations on the use of a firearm:
  • Handling of a firearm
  • Safety and maintenance of firearms
    

In addition, an armed guard applicant must complete an additional four hours of marksmanship training and achieve a minimum of 70% on any silhouette target course approved by the commissioner.

Training Requirements for the use of a Club, Stun Gun, Chemical Spray, Night Stick or other less than lethal device

Registered guards or applicants who will carry a club, stun gun, chemical spray, night stick or other less than lethal device, the commissioner shall require appropriate training specific to such device by a certified trainer who is certified to instruct for such specific device. It shall be the employers’ responsibility to keep training records of their employees for each device. The security officer/guard shall also have in such person’s possession a certification card issued by an instructor/trainer who is certified to instruct/train in the legal use of such specific device and shall exhibit such card upon demand by the commissioner or the commissioner’s duly authorized agent or any full time law enforcement officer.

Renewals

• Armed Guards/Officers must renew their registration every two (2) years.
• Every two (2) years armed security guards must complete four hours of refresher training and requalify in the use of a firearm by achieving a minimum of 70% on any silhouette target course approved by the commissioner prior to the renewal of their guard registration.
  

Fees and Related Costs

• Click Here to see a table of fees.

Click Here to download the Application.