Virginia Unarmed Security Guards Licensing Requirements
State Security Licensing Authorities: Virginia
Virginia Unarmed Security Guards Licensing Requirements
Most states have certain requirements to work as an unarmed security guard and in the state of Virginia. The requirement for licensing in the state of Virginia is the Department of Criminal Justice Services. In order to be a obtain an unarmed security guard license, there are stipulations that must be fulfilled including the applicant’s age must be at least 18 years of age.
The regulations that oversee the unarmed security guard are Title 9.1-138 through 9.1-150 in the Private Security Services Codes of Virginia. The codes describe the qualifications for an applicant to be approved for a license, including fingerprinting, age and background checks. The description of the unarmed security guard functions is to perform observation, detection, reporting to the appropriate authorities and does not carry a firearm.
There is a prerequisite to obtain this license is that the applicant must attend an 18 hour course at a certified facility. The course will include classes in the topics that will prepare the person to work in the security sector in a professional manner.
The applicant must apply for their permanent certification card within 90 days of being hired by a security company. This permanent license will need to be renewed every two years to continue working in the security sector. There are other stipulations that must also be met in order to obtain the unarmed guard certification from the state of Virginia:
- The person applying for an unarmed guard must have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.
- They must pass a strenuous background check
- The person applying must satisfactorily pass the required training at a certified facility.
- The applicant must be authorized to work in the United States and provide information for the Internal Revenue.
- Finger prints will be required
One of the things other than a license that might be required by a security company is that the unarmed security guard will hold a valid Virginia state drivers license. This in many cases is needed for driving company owned vehicles as a part of the duties that will be preformed for the type of security position.
Training that will be included in the certified classes will include:
- Report writing
- First aid and CPR certification
- Crisis deterrence
- Legal issues
- Public crowd control
- Emergency fire control
- Property rights
- Detention of criminals
- Operate alarm systems
The professions the unarmed security guard is able to provide their trained services for are schools, malls, art galleries, and retail businesses, along with other companies that require the unarmed guards services. There are other types of employment opportunity for the unarmed security guard in more private settings where being armed is not a requirement. The unarmed security guard license does not permit the carrying of firearms and the certified training does not include firearm training.
The training prepares the person to handle the situations that could arise during employment as a Virginia unarmed security guard, which must be handled in a professional manner with the least amount of disturbance to the business the security guard, is protecting.
Online Regulatory Licensing System
Virginia Armed Security Guard Licensing Requirements
https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/licensure-and-regulatory-affairs/armed-security-officer
In the state of Virginia, there are requirements to be able to work in the security field; these include being licensed and having firearms training for the armed security guard. The guidelines are outlined in the Private Security Services Code of Virginia; the Department of Criminal Justice Services in the state of Virginia oversees these guidelines and licensing.
The codes pursuant to the armed security guard are included in 9.1-138 through 9.1-150 and include job description, training requirements, along with personal information that will be collected. This personal information will be comprised of fingerprints, age, home address that is verified, tax information and proof of ability to work in the United States. These sections of the code detail the requirements to carry a firearm and the amount of required hours of training.
The applicant for security licensing will be required under the present codes to train at a Virginia certified facility and must apply for their permanent licensing within 90 days of being hired for armed security job. The holder of a permanent armed security guard license will be required to renew it every two years as long as the holder is providing services in the security sector.
The training provided at the certified training center will include:
- Legal issues
- Crisis management
- Emergency medical service in first aid and CPR
- Detaining criminals
- Alarm system operation
- Report writing
- Fire arms training, marksmanship and target training
The training at a certified facility in the state of Virginia is required by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to train the person to successfully deal with emergency situations, both criminal and civil, which can occur while employed in the security field. This will include firearms training in order to be allowed in the state of Virginia to carry a firearm while on the job. After training the armed security guard can be employed in security services that include:
- Alarm respondent: This is a security individual that is employed to respond to alarm signals for homes, businesses and properties.
- Employment as an armored car guard
- Banks
- Hospitals
- Government offices
- Power plants
- Museums
- Personal security guard
These are some of the available types of employment as a licensed armed security personnel. To obtain this license there are requirements that must be fulfilled prior to a security license, being issued in the state of Virginia that will include:
- The person applying for a Virginia armed security guard must be 21 years of age.
- The applicant must be legal to work in the United States
- The applicant must hold either a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate.
- The required amount of hours of certified training completed successfully
- Firearms training completed successfully
- The applicant will submit to finger printing
- There will be an FBI style background check done prior to being issued an armed security license.
The job of the armed security guard in the state of Virginia is an important one in can include employment opportunities in many of the state and government buildings and other important private and non-private buildings or properties.

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