IOWA Unarmed Security Guards Licensing Requirements

State Security Licensing Authorities: Iowa

Iowa Unarmed Security Guards Licensing Requirements

The state of Iowa like other states requires the person wishing to be employed as an unarmed security guard to be licensed. In order to obtain a license in the state of Iowa the applicant is required to fulfill certain requirements prior to the license being issued. The license will be issued for the amount of two years by the Iowa Department of Public Safety and must be renewed thirty days prior to the date it will expire. The personal and training requirements for the unarmed security guard is pursuant to the Code of Iowa Chapter 80 A, Iowa Administrative Code 661 Chapter 2. There are both personal and training requirements that must be fulfilled prior to an unarmed security license being issued. The personal requirements are:

• The applicant will be at least 18 years of age.
• The applicant will have a high school diploma, or they will hold an equivalency certificate.
• The applicant will submit a current photo with their application.
• The applicant will have a background check done.
• There will be fingerprints submitted.
• The applicant will provide proof they can work legally in the United States.
• The applicant will have no felony convictions or aggravated misdemeanors on their record.
• Applicants will not have a history of drugs, alcohol or mental issues.
• The applicant will have attended state certified training courses and will have passed the written examination.

The person that intends to apply for an unarmed security guard license will need to attend the classes that are required at a state certified facility. These courses prepare the applicant for employment in the security sector, whether they decide on public or private security. The classes will include:

• The legal issues that could arise
• Ethical issues
• The use of force
• Lawfully detaining a suspect
• Professionalism in the security environment
• Reporting to official agencies
• Emergency medical and fire procedures
• A written examination

The unarmed security guard in the state of Iowa will be prepared to work in the security field with confidence and professionalism with an understanding of the procedures, they need to take in emergency situations. The applicant will also be prepared for the written examination that will cover the laws and possible situations that could occur, while on duty.
The licensing will enable the unarmed security guard to work in a variety of opportunities in the employment field. The types of employment the unarmed security guard will find work can be:

• Banks and finical institutions
• Schools and colleges
• Museums
• Malls and retail stores
• Hotels
• Apartment buildings and complexes
• State and federal offices or buildings
• Parks and other public land
• Private security duty

The Iowa unarmed security guard will find employment in the private sector in places like guarding security gates to private entrances and public utility buildings. The applicant might also have the requirement by the employer to have a valid Iowa driver’s license. This is not a requirement to apply for an unarmed security license.

Iowa Armed Security Guard Licensing Requirements

The state of Iowa requires any person working as an armed security guard to have a license. This license will be issued after the applicant has supplied the personal information required and attended a state certified armed security guard course. The statutes that the armed and unarmed security guards are governed by in the state of Iowa is the Code of Iowa Chapter 80 A, Iowa Administrative Code 661 Chapter 2. The Iowa Department of Public Safety is responsible for the issue of the armed security guard license once the requirements are met. In these codes are the following requirements:

• The applicant applying for an armed security guard license must be at least 21 years of age.
• The applicant will have either a high school diploma or a have an equivalency certificate.
• The applicant will provide a current photo.
• Applicants will submit to a background check.
• Applicants will be fingerprinted.
• The applicant will provide proof; they are able to legally work in the United States.
• The person applying will not have any felony convictions or aggravated misdemeanors.
• Applicants will attend state certified training and pass a written exam.
• Applicants will have no history of drugs, alcohol or mental problems.

The person that wants to apply for the armed security guard license in the state of Iowa will be required to attend the specified courses at a state certified facility. These courses will include preparing the applicant to work in a security environment and firearm’s training. These courses will include:

• Legal and ethical issues
• Professionalism in the security environment
• Laws and use of force
• Lawful detainment
• Emergency medical care
• Firearm’s training including marksmanship and target practice
• Use of lethal force
• Firearm’s laws
• A written examination

The required courses that must be taken are used as a way to prepare the armed security guard that is licensed in the state of Iowa to work in the security sector. They will be educated in the use of force and professionalism on the job. They will be qualified to handle medical emergencies and criminal activity until the proper authorities arrive.
The opportunity for employment in the security sector can be both in the public sector or the private sector. The can include employment in places such as:

• Banks and financial settings
• Schools and colleges
• Armored vehicles
• Malls and retail stores
• State and federal office buildings
• Parks and other public lands
• Private security settings
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Apartment complexes
• Housing developments

The armed security guard license the applicant, who has complied with all the requirements, will be issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This license will be valid for two years and must be reapplied for at least 30 days prior to the date of expiration. There might be a separate requirement by the employer for the armed security guard to hold a valid Iowa driver’s license.