The Security Guard Act of 1992 mandates the training and licensing of
security guards and the approval of private security training schools.
The Act also requires that certain private security training must be
approved and that all private security trainers must be certified. The
Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety provides
administrative oversight for private security training in New York
State. The New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing
Services has oversight responsibility for the licensing and registration
of all security guards.
If you have questions about licensing or registration, you must
direct them to the Division of Licensing Services. You can reach them by
phone at (518) 474-4429, by fax at (518) 473-6648, or by email at
licensing@dos.state.ny.us.
You can also get answers to many of your licensing questions at the
Department of State
web site.
All security guards are required to complete an 8 Hour Pre-Assignment
Training Course prior to applying to the Department of State for a
Security Guard License, followed by a 16 Hour On-the-Job Training Course
for Security Guards within 90 days of initial employment as a security
guard, and annually complete an 8 Hour Annual In-service Training Course
for Security Guards every year thereafter.
Applicants seeking an armed guard license must possess a valid NYS
pistol license pursuant to Penal Law 400.00 and must complete a 47 Hour
Firearms Training Course for Security Guards prior to applying for a
Special Armed Guard Registration Card, and annually complete an
additional 8 Hour Annual In-service Training Course for Armed Security
Guards every year thereafter.
Section 89-n of the General Business Law of New York State provides
for various exemptions and/or waivers of training based on previous
Municipal Police Training Council approved law enforcement training.
Locate the title and the status that identifies your experience, and
then click on the link below the appropriate training column to be
directed to the appropriate list of approved security guard training
schools, waiver form or contact information.
Separation from service is defined as retirement or resignation from
the position.
| Title/Status |
Initial Training |
|
Annual Training |
|
8-Hour Pre-assignment Training Course
|
16 Hour On-the-Job Training Course
|
47 Hour Firearms Training Course
|
|
8 Hour Annual In-service Training Course
|
8 Hour Annual In-service for Armed Guards (if armed)
|
| No previous New York State law
enforcement training
|
Prior to Licensing
|
Within 90 days of initial employment as Security Guard
|
Prior to applying for Special Armed Guard Registration Card
|
|
Annually
|
Annually
|
|
Police
Officer (CPL 1.20)(currently
serving) |
Exempt from training and
licensing requirements.
|
| Former
Police Officer (separated less
than 10 years) |
|
|
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Police Officer (separated more
than 10 years) |
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Officer
(NYS DOCS)(currently
serving) |
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Correction Officer (NYS DOCS) -
(separated less than 10 years) |
|
|
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Correction Officer (NYS DOCS) -
(separated more than 10 years) |
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Bridge and Tunnel
Officer, Sergeant or Lieutenant of the TBTA |
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Bridge and Tunnel Officer, Sergeant or Lieutenant of the TBTA(separated
less than 10 years) |
|
|
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Bridge and Tunnel Officer, Sergeant or Lieutenant of the TBTA(separated
more than 10 years) |
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
| Court Officer or Clerk of the Unified
Court System |
|
|
|
|
|
Former Court Officer or
Clerk of the Unified Court System
(separated less than 10 years) |
|
|
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Court Officer or Clerk of the Unified Court System(separated
more than 10 years) |
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Sheriff, Undersheriff,
or Deputy Sheriff of the NYC Sheriff’s Office |
|
|
|
|
|
Former
Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Deputy Sheriff of the NYC Sheriff’s
Office (separated less than 10
years) |
|
|
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Deputy Sheriff of the NYC Sheriff’s
Office(separated more than 10
years) |
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Other Peace
Officer (CPL 2.10 or 2.16)(currently
employed) |
|
|
|
|
May utilize Annual Peace
Officer In-service Training
|
May utilize Annual Peace
Officer In-service Training
|
|
Former
Other Peace Officer (CPL 2.10 or 2.16)(separated
less than 10 years) |
|
|
|
|
Exempt First Ten Years of Separation, Then Annually
|
*Prior
to Licensing and Annually
|
|
Former
Other Peace Officer (CPL 2.10 or 2.16)(separated
more than 10 years) |
|
|
|
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
Prior to Licensing and Annually
|
*Armed Guard applicants who have completed initial training in
firearms and deadly physical force more than 12 months prior to being
employed as a security guard must complete the 8 Hour Annual
In-service Training Course for Armed Security Guards prior to applying
for a license.