Sections
- Requirements to Become a Security Guard
- Security Guard Registration (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Firearms Endorsem*nt (Armed Security Officer)
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
- Disqualifications
Requirements to Become a Security Guard
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The applicant must:
- be at least 18-years old.
- successfully complete all initial training requirements for each registration category, including a firearms endorsem*nt if applicable.
- be United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States.
Security Guard Registration (Unarmed Security Officer)
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An unarmed security guard is a person who performs the function of observation, detection, reporting, or notification of appropriate authorities or designated agents regarding persons or property on the premises he is contracted to protect, and who does not carry or have access to a firearm in the performance of his duties.
Valid state-issued registration is required to work as a security guard.
An unarmed security officer can work for 90 consecutive days while completing the compulsory minimum training requirements, provided your fingerprints were submitted on or before their date of hire and your employer provides you with a 90 day authorization document. This document along with a photo ID must be carried on duty while performing regulated services until a temporary or permanent registration is issued.
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Virginia, not the trainer.
Firearms Endorsem*nt (Armed Security Officer)
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Those who will have access to a firearm must complete the requirements for a Firearms Endorsem*nt. This endorsem*nt must be renewed every 12 months.
Compliance with the provisions of this article (§9.1-146. Limitation on powers of registered armed security officers) shall not itself authorize any person to carry a concealed weapon or exercise any powers of a conservator of the peace.
A registered armed security officer of a private security services business while at a location which the business is contracted to protect shall have the power to effect an arrest for an offense occurring (i) in his presence on such premises or (ii) in the presence of a merchant, agent, or employee of the merchant the private security business has contracted to protect, if the merchant, agent, or employee had probable cause to believe that the person arrested had shoplifted or committed willful concealment of goods as contemplated by §18.2-106. For the purposes of §19.2-74, a registered armed security officer of a private security services business shall be considered an arresting officer.
- NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
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Renewal Training: The school will submit a roster – do not send your training completion form to DCIS.
Those who will have access to a firearm must complete the requirements for a Firearms Endorsem*nt. This endorsem*nt must be renewed every 12 months.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
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Each applicant for initial registration, licensure or certification as a compliance agent, private security services training school or instructor or unarmed security officer under the provisions of this article and every person employed as an electronic security employee or electronic security technician's assistant shall submit his fingerprints to the Department on a form provided by the Department. The Department shall use the applicant's fingerprints and personal descriptive information for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search.
Disqualifications
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Individuals convicted or found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other jurisdiction to include military court martial or currently under protective orders must submit a Criminal History Supplemental Form.
No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (i) moral turpitude, (ii) assault and battery, (iii) damage to real or personal property, (iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any felony shall be (a) employed as a registered or certified employee by a private security services business or training school, or (b) issued a private security services registration, certification as an unarmed security officer, electronic security employee or technician's assistant, a private security services training school or instructor certification, compliance agent certification, or a private security services business license, except that, upon written request, the Director of the Department may waive such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such waiver shall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and shall state the reasons for such decision.
