North Carolina Security Guard Training & License

Unarmed

• New NC Security Guard Training: No Security Guard Experience
• Rookie NC Security Guard Training: No additional requirements your first year on duty as an unarmed security guard.
• Pro NC Security Guard Training: >1 Year on Duty

Armed

• New NC Security Officer Training: No Security Guard Experience
• Rookie NC Security Officer Training: No additional requirements your first year on duty as an armed security guard.
• Pro NC Security Officer Training: >1 Year on Duty

New Unarmed Security Guard North Carolina – Fees & Training

To work for a private security guard company in North Carolina, the company needs to register you as a security guard. If you want to work as a security guard without working for another company, then you need to get a Private Protective Services license, which is a lot more expensive and requires additional training. This article covers only how you get your Security Guard Registration Pocket Card, not how to become a licensed Private Protective Services Company.

A security guard or patrol company cannot employ you as an unarmed security guard in a regular position unless you have a registration card issued by the Private Protective Services Division of NC.

Type of Security Guard License Required & Issuing Authority

• Security Guard License Type: Security Guard Registration Pocket Card
• Security Guard License Length: 1 year
• Security Guard Licensing Authority and Website: North Carolina Department of Justice Private Protective Services Board (PPSB)
• Security Guard Licensing Phone Number: (919) 788-5320
• Security Guard Licensing Address: 

PPSB
P.O. Box 29500
4901 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27612

• Security Guard License Laws: Private Protective Services N.C.G.S. 74-C and the Board’s Administrative Rules and Regulations under Private Protective Services 12 N.C.A.C. 7D

Temporary or Probationary Security Guard

Security Guard Training Requirements & Fees

North Carolina requires that you take 16 hours of training to become an unarmed security guard within 30 days from the date of your permanent hire. Each security guard training company in NC sets its own class fees.

• Security Guard Courses before You Apply for a Security Guard Registration: 16 hours with cost set by training school; $ unknown.

North Carolina State Unarmed Security Guard Training Course Outline

The 16 hours of security guard courses must cover:

• 1 hour – The Security Officer in North Carolina
• 3 hours – Legal Issues for Security Officers
• 3 hours – Emergency Response
• 2 hours – Communications
• 3 hours – Patrol Procedures
• 3 hours – Note Taking and Report Writing
• 1 hour – Deportment

You must complete 4 hours of classroom instruction within 20 calendar days if you transition from a probationary or regular security guard to an duty station.  The 4 hours of training include:

• 1 hour – The Security Officer in North Carolina
• 3 hours – Legal Issues for Security Officers

The security guard training you take must be from a Private Protective Services Board certified unarmed security guard trainer.  This trainer follows the PPSB’s approved lesson plan using PPSB approved training materials.

Online Security Guard Training

You can take your 16 hours of unarmed security guard training online or interactively provided:

• The training is presented by a PPSB unarmed security officer trainer.
• You get a copy of the PPSB unarmed security officer training manual to use for the duration of your security guard training class.
• The trainer can see you and you see the trainer in real time during the security guard training.
• You can see and read the screen or monitor and can clearly hear and understand the audio presentation.
• All monitors used in each classroom are at least 32″ wide.
• The technology used is of sufficient quality so that the training audio and video is done smoothly and without interruption.
• You are taught to use the audio and video equipment in your classroom prior to the start of the 16 hour unarmed security officer training course.
• The total number of students receiving the interactive training at one time does not exceed 35 students.
• All training not included in the NC Private Protective Services unarmed security officer training manual is done either before or after the 16 hour unarmed security officer training.
• The Director of Private Protective Services is notified 5 days prior to training of the location of each classroom, name and location of the certified trainer, and the number of students who will be present.
• The sponsoring agency allows the Director or designee access via computer of the training during the time that it is taking place.

Security Guard Background Check & Fingerprinting Fees

• Fingerprint Fee = $38.00

Security Guard Application & License Fees

• Security Guard Registration Application Fee: $30
• Payment Types Accepted: Money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks are not acceptable.
• Payable To: Private Protective Services Board

Security Guard Other Requirements

To register as an unarmed guard in North Carolina, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be US citizen or resident alien
• Be of good moral character and temperate habits.  Any of the following within the last 5 years indicates you don’t have good moral character or temperate habits (conviction means and includes the entry of a pleas of guilty, plea of no contest, or a verdict of guilty):
  • Conviction by any local, state, federal, or military court of any crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a firearm.
  • Conviction of any crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance, drug, narcotic, or alcoholic beverage.
  • Conviction of a crime involving felonious assault or an act of violence.
  • Conviction of a crime involving unlawful breaking and/or entering, burglary, larceny, any offense involving moral turpitude.
  • A history of addiction to alcohol or a narcotic drug.
• Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental disease or defect; or not have been involuntarily committed to an institution for treatment of mental disease or defect by a district court judge.  If you have been treated and found to have been restored by a psychiatrist, the PSS Board will consider this evidence and determine whether you meet the requirements of this section.
• Not have had a revocation of a security guard registration.

Security Guard Application Process

1. Get hired as a probationary employee security guard by a licensed private protective services company.
2. The company you work for submits your name, address, social security number, and dates of employment on a monthly list of probationary employees to the NC Director of Private Protective Services.
3. After 20 days, if the company decides to make you a regular employee, the company registers you as security guard with the Private Protective Services department by completing the  form, submitting the appropriate fees and getting you background checked. To register you after the probationary period ends, your company submits:
   • UNARMED REGISTRATION/RENEWAL APPLICATION NORTH CAROLINA PRIVATE PROTECTIVE SERVICES BOARD.
   • A set of your fingerprints on standard F.B.I. applicant cards.
   • A fingerprint release of information form.
   • One recent (within last 5 years) color head and shoulders JPEG digital photograph on CD, floppy disk, or emailed to: PPSASL-Photos@ncdoj.gov (Polaroids and other similar types of photos are not acceptable).
   • Statements of the result of a local criminal records search by the Clerk of Superior Court or appropriate governmental authority in each county where the applicant has resided within the immediate preceding 48 months (12 months for renewals). Final dispositions must be included. Criminal record checks will not be accepted if over 60 days old upon receipt in this office. Internet criminal records checks are acceptable for in-state residents if obtained from an authorized NC Administrative Office of the Courts Public Access User.
   • Statements of any criminal records obtained from the appropriate authority in each area where you resided within the immediately preceding 4 years.
   • Certificate(s) signed by Board certified trainer(s) verifying completion of unarmed training as per 12 NCAC 7D .0707.
   • The required non-refundable registration fee (and $38.00 fingerprint fee for New).
4. Your employer gives you a copy of your application to serve as a temporary registration during your first 30 days of employment pending receipt of the registration card
5. The PPSB issues you an unarmed security guard registration pocket card with your name and photo on it.

Unarmed Security Guard Registration ID Card

You must carry your security guard card when performing your duties as a private protective services employee.

You must present your ID card at the request of any law enforcement officer or any other authorized representative of the PSS Board.

If your registration is revoked or suspended by the PSSB, you must return you security guard registration card to the PSSB within 10 days of the date of the revocation or suspension.

Duplicate or Replacement Security Guard Card

If you lose your security guard registration card,  complete the UNARMED REGISTRATION/RENEWAL APPLICATION NORTH CAROLINA PRIVATE PROTECTIVE SERVICES BOARD for a new card and a $30.00 security guard card reissue fee.

Termination of Security Guard Employment

Your employer must notify  in writing the Director of the Private Protective Services Division within 10 days if you are terminated as a regular employee registered as an unarmed security guard.

Transfer of Security Guard Employers

If an unarmed registered security guard is terminated by a licensee and changes employment to another security guard and patrol company, the security guard’s registration card is valid, provided the security guard pays the unarmed guard registration transfer fee of $15 to the PSS Board and a new unarmed security guard registration card is issued. An unarmed security guard whose transfer registration application and transfer fee have been sent to the PSS Board may work with a copy of the transfer application until the registration card is issued.

How to Renew Your Security Guard Registration in North Carolina

You have to renew you unarmed security guard registration every year in North Carolina.

• Security Guard License Length: 1 year
• NC Security Guard Registration Renewal Cost: $30
• NC Security Guard Renewal Training: None at this time. However, the laws are written such that the Private Protective Services Board can require continuing eduction every year.

Security Guard Application Process

1. Your employer completes and submits the UNARMED REGISTRATION/RENEWAL APPLICATION form.
2. Send in the $30 renewal fee to the PPSB by cashier’s check or money order to:

PPSB
P.O. Box 29500
4901 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27612

New Armed Security Guard North Carolina – Fees & Training

In North Carolina, you are an armed security guard if you’re employed by a contract security company or a proprietary security organization and your principal duty is that of an armed security watchman; armed armored car service guard; armed alarm system company responder; or armed courier service and you at any time wear, carry, or possess a firearm in the performance of your duty.

Type of Armed Security Guard License Required & Issuing Authority

• Security Guard License Type: Security Guard Registration Pocket Card
• Security Guard License Length: 1 year
• Security Guard Licensing Authority and Website: North Carolina Department of Justice Private Protective Services Board (PPSB)
• Security Guard Licensing Phone Number: (919) 788-5320
• Security Guard Licensing Address: 

PPSB
P.O. Box 29500
4901 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27612

• Security Guard License Laws: Private Protective Services N.C.G.S. 74-C and the Board’s Administrative Rules and Regulations under Private Protective Services 12 N.C.A.C. 7D

Armed Security Guard Training Requirements & Fees

North Carolina requires that you take 20 hours of training to become an armed security guard.

• Security Guard Courses before You Apply for a Security Guard Registration: 20 hours with cost set by training school; $ unknown.

North Carolina State Armed Security Guard Training Course Outline

To apply to become an armed security guard firearm registration permit, you first need to complete the basic unarmed security guard training classroom course that is at least 20 hours including:

• 4 hours – legal limitations on the use of handguns and on the powers and authority of an armed security guard, including familiarity with rules and regulations relating to armed security guards
• 1 hour –  handgun safety, including range firing procedures
• 3 hours – handgun operation and maintenance
• 8 hours – handgun fundamentals
• 4 hours – night firing

You should take the in classroom security guard training topics before firing on the range.

Range Qualification

To apply for an armed security guard firearm registration permit, you must get a score of at least 80% accuracy on a firearms range qualification course adopted by the PSS Board and the Attorney General, a copy of which is on file in the PSSB Director’s office.  If you fail to attain a score of 80% accuracy, you get an additional 3 attempts to qualify on the course of fire you failed.  Failure to meet the qualification after 3 attempts requires you to repeat the entire Basic Training Course for Armed Security Guards.  All additional attempts must take place within 20 days of the completion of the initial 20 hour course.

You have to take your armed guard training using your duty weapon and duty ammunition or ballistic equivalent ammunition, to include lead-free ammunition that meets the same point of aim, point of impact, and felt recoil of the duty ammunition, for all weapons.

Your armed guard class can’t have any more than 6 new or renewal armed security guard applicants per one instructor placed on the firing line at any one time during firearms range training.

Shotgun Qualification

To be authorized to carry a 12 gauge shotgun in the performance of your duties as an armed security guard, you must complete, in addition to the requirements above, the following 4 hours of classroom training:

• Legal limitations on the use of shotguns
• Shotgun safety, including range firing procedures
• Shotgun operation and maintenance
• Shotgun fundamentals

You can take the additional shotgun training at a time after your initial training.  If the shotgun training is completed at a later time, your shotgun certification runs concurrent with your armed security registration permit.

You have to get a score of at least 80% accuracy on a shotgun range qualification course.

Security Guard Background Check & Fingerprinting Fees

• Fingerprint Fee = $38

Armed Security Guard Application & License Fees

• Armed Security Guard Registration Application Fee: $45
• Payment Types Accepted: Money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks are not acceptable.
• Payable To: Private Protective Services Board

Armed Security Guard Other Requirements

To register as an armed guard in North Carolina, you must:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Be US citizen or resident alien.
• Be of good moral character and temperate habits.  Any of the following within the last 5 years indicates you don’t have good moral character or temperate habits (conviction means and includes the entry of a pleas of guilty, plea of no contest, or a verdict of guilty):
  • Conviction by any local, state, federal, or military court of any crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a firearm.
  • Conviction of any crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance, drug, narcotic, or alcoholic beverage.
  • Conviction of a crime involving felonious assault or an act of violence.
  • Conviction of a crime involving unlawful breaking and/or entering, burglary, larceny, any offense involving moral turpitude.
  • A history of addiction to alcohol or a narcotic drug.
• Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental disease or defect; or not have been involuntarily committed to an institution for treatment of mental disease or defect by a district court judge.  If you have been treated and found to have been restored by a psychiatrist, the PSS Board will consider this evidence and determine whether you meet the requirements of this section.
• Not have had a revocation of a security guard registration.

Armed Security Guard Application Process

1. Successfully complete your required 20 hours of armed security guard training.
2. To register you, your company submits:
   • Armed Registration/Renewal Application.
   • A set of your fingerprints on standard F.B.I. applicant cards.
   • A fingerprint release of information form.
   • Two recent (within last 6 months) color head and shoulders JPEG digital photograph of sufficient quality for identification on CD, floppy disk, or emailed to: PPSASL-Photos@ncdoj.gov (Polaroids and other similar types of photos are not acceptable).
   • Statements of the result of a local criminal records search by the Clerk of Superior Court or appropriate governmental authority in each county where the applicant has resided within the immediate preceding 48 months (12 months for renewals). Final dispositions must be included. Criminal record checks will not be accepted if over 60 days old upon receipt in this office. Internet criminal records checks are acceptable for in-state residents if obtained from an authorized NC Administrative Office of the Courts Public Access User.
   • Statements of any criminal records obtained from the appropriate authority in each area where you resided within the immediately preceding 4 years.
   • Proof of being at least 21 years old.
   • Certificate(s) signed by Board certified trainer(s) verifying completion of unarmed training as per 12 NCAC 7D .0807.
   • The required non-refundable registration fee  of $40 (and $38.00 fingerprint fee for New).
3. Your employer gives you a copy of your application to serve as a temporary registration pending receipt of your registration card (you must already have successfully completed your armed security guard training classes).
4. The PPSB issues you an unarmed security guard registration pocket card with your name and photo on it.

Armed Security Guard Firearm Registration Permit Identification Cards

You must carry your security guard card when performing your duties as a private protective services employee.

You must present your ID card at the request of any law enforcement officer or any other authorized representative of the PSS Board.

If your registration is revoked or suspended by the PSSB, you must return you security guard registration card to the PSSB within 15 days of the date of the revocation or suspension.

Duplicate or Replacement Security Guard Card

If you lose your security guard registration card,  complete the Armed Registration/Renewal Application for a new card and a $45.00 security guard card reissue fee.

Authorized Firearms

As an armed security officers in North Carolina you are authorized while in the performance of your official duties or traveling directly to and from work, to carry a standard .38 caliber, .32 caliber or .357 caliber revolver, or any standard semi-automatic pistol of .354 caliber and higher, or any standard 12 gauge shotgun, as long as the you have been properly trained on your respective duty weapon   A “standard weapon” means a weapon which has not been modified or altered from its original manufactured design.

All firearms carried by you as an authorized armed security guards in the performance of your duties must be owned or leased by the employer. Personally owned firearms cannot be carried by you as an armed security guard in the performance of your duties.

Concealed Weapons

Being registered as an armed guard doesn’t permit you to carry a concealed weapons while in performance of  your duties regulated by the Private Protective Services Act unless you have complied with all provisions of G.S. 14, Article 54B and applicable rules promulgated by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission pursuant thereto and have been issued a current concealed handgun permit by a Sheriff.  Additionally, you must comply with the concealed firearm provisions for training and qualifications set forth in 12 NCAC 7D .0808(b).

You must to carry a concealed weapon while on duty:

• Hold a current Armed Security Guard Registration Permit by complying with all requirements for armed registration as prescribed in 12 NCAC 7D .0800.
• Have completed standards set forth by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to include knowledge of North Carolina firearms laws including, but not limited to, the limitation on concealed weapon possession on specified grounds and within certain buildings.
• Have been issued a concealed firearm endorsement to your current Armed Security Guard Registration Permit for the term of the Armed Security Guard Registration Permit. This endorsement doesn’t cost you any more, but you have to pay for the additional training.

How to Renew Your Armed Security Guard Registration in North Carolina

You have to renew you armed security guard registration every year in North Carolina.

• Security Guard License Length: 1 year
• NC Armed Security Guard Registration Renewal Cost: $45
• NC Armed Security Guard Renewal Training: Re-qualify for firearm permit. The cost of this training varies by the provider.

Continuing Education for Renewal of Armed Security Guard Registration

You have to re-certify annually to keep your armed security guard firearm registration permit. To re-certify you:

• Must complete shall complete at least 4 hours of classroom instruction that are a review of the initial armed security guard training requirements.
• Must complete your re-certification course no sooner than 180 days before your armed security guard registration expires.
• Pass both the day and night range re-qualification.  If you fail to qualify on either course of fire, you cannot carry a firearm until such time as you meet the qualification requirements.
• Upon your failure to qualify, the firearm instructor must notify you that they are no longer authorized to carry a firearm and notify your employer and the Private Protective Services staff on the next business day.

Shotgun Re-certification

You have to requalify to carry a shotgun each year by  taking an additional 1 hour of classroom training and passing the same range test as when you got your original approval to carry a shotgun on duty as an armed guard.

Armed Security Guard Application Renewal Process

1. Your employer completes and submits the Armed Registration/Renewal Application.
2. Submit the above form not more than 90 days nor fewer than 30 days prior to registration expiration.
3. Submit 2 head and shoulders color digital photographs of you in JPG format of acceptable quality for identification, taken within 6 months prior to submission and submitted by e-mail to PPSASL-Photos@ncdoj.gov or by compact disc.
4. Submit statements of any criminal record obtained from the appropriate area where you have resided within the immediate preceding 12 months or a criminal record check from a third party criminal record check provider.
5. Submit a statement signed by a certified trainer that you have successfully completed the firearm re-certification training requirements.
6. Send in the $45 renewal fee to the PPSB by cashier’s check or money order to:

PPSB
P.O. Box 29500
4901 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27612

Concealed Weapon Endorsement Renewal

Your concealed weapon endorsement is renewed at the time as your Armed Security Guard Registration Permit renewal if you submit proof of possession of a current Concealed Handgun Permit.  You aren’t charged any additional fee for the endorsement, but you have to pay for any required concealed weapons training.