Padlock Patrol

Padlock Patrol

Virginia Security Guard Training & License

outline of the state of Virginia

Unarmed

Armed

VA Unarmed Security Officer/Courier License

In Virginia, an unarmed security officer/courier is any person who performs the functions of observation, detection, reporting, or notification of appropriate authorities or designated agents regarding persons or property on the premises that individual is contracted to protect, and who does not carry or have access to a firearm in the performance of their duties.

  • Application Fee: $25
  • Fingerprint Fee: $50
  • Length of License: 2 years

Virginia Security Guard Training & License Requirements

  1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
  2. Successful completion of all initial training requirements for each registration category. You must complete this training within the prior 12 months to your application.
  3. Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States.

Virginia Security Guard Training Requirements

You must take 18 hours of core entry level security officer training consisting of the following topics:

  • Orientation
    • Applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and Regulations Relating to Private Security Services
    • Code of Ethics
    • General Duties and Responsibilities
    • Signs of Terrorism
  • Law
  • Security Patrol, Access Control, and Communications
  • Documentation
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Confrontation Management
  • Use of force
  • Written comprehensive examination

The state of Virginia maintains an online list of schools offering security officer training.

Partial Exemptions from Virginia Security Guard Training

Complete the partial exemptions form and pay a $25.

VA Unarmed Security Officer Application Process

  1. Submit to the VA Department of Criminal Justice your initial registration application and applicable non-refundable fee.
  2. Submit a fingerprint card, fingerprint processing application and applicable non-refundable fee. For more information, view the Fingerprints page.
  3. Any individual who has ever been 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.

Replacement Security Officer Registration Cards

If you lose or damage your security officer registration card, you may apply for a replacement. A replacement guard card costs $20.

Working as Guard before Your Registration is Complete

You can work as unarmed security officer for 90 consecutive days while completing your compulsory minimum training requirements, provided your fingerprints were submitted on or before your 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.

Working as Guard before Your Virginia Security Guard Training is Complete

You can work as an unarmed security officer for 90 consecutive days while completing your compulsory minimum training requirements, provided your fingerprints were submitted on or before your date of hire.

VA Unarmed Security Officer Application Renewal

  • Renew Every: 2 years
  • Renewal Fee: $20

Virginia Security Guard Renewal Training Requirements

In order to renew your Virginia security guard officer registration, you need 4 hours of refresher in-service training. This training has the following core topics:

  • Legal Authority (2 hours)
  • Job-Related Training  (2 hours)

The state of Virginia maintains an online list of schools offering security officer renewal training.

Certain training exemptions may be granted for required training courses. You should submit this form at least 60 days before your license expires as it takes 30 days for your training exemption to be approved.

VA Security Officer Renewal Process

  1. Submit to the VA Department of Criminal Justice  the registration renewal application and applicable non-refundable fee.
  2. Complete in-service training. The school you took your course at will submit your name to the state as verification.

Renewing an Expired Security Officer License

If you license has expired by 60 days or less, you can renew with the payment of a $10 late fee.

VA Armed Security Officer License for New Armed Guards or Couriers

An armed security officer means a natural person employed to safeguard and protect persons and property or deter theft, loss, or concealment of any tangible or intangible personal property on the premises they are contracted to protect, and who carries or has access to a firearm in the performance of their duties.  An armed courier is any armed person who transports or offers to transport from one place to another documents or other papers, negotiable or nonnegotiable instruments, or other small items of value that require expeditious service.

You must have completed all required training and have a current registration in order to work in as an armed guard or armed courier.

Virginia Armed Security Officer Application

  • License Length: 2 years
  • Application Fee: $25
  • Fingerprinting Fee: $50
  • Firearms Endorsement Every Year: $10

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Requirements

In order to get your Virginia armed security guard officer registration, you need 50-53 hours of initial training. The state of Virginia maintains an online list of schools offering security officer renewal training.

Certain training exemptions may be granted for required training courses. You should submit this form at least 60 days before your license expires as it takes 30 days for your training exemption to be approved.

This training has the following core topics:

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Core Subjects Entry-Level (18 hours)

The entry level curriculum for unarmed security officer, armed security officer/courier, security canine handler, and alarm respondent sets forth the following areas identified as:

  1. Orientation
    1. Applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and Regulations Relating to Private Security Services
    2. Code of Ethics
    3. General Duties and Responsibilities
    4. Signs of Terrorism
  2. Law
  3. Security Patrol, Access Control, and Communications
  4. Documentation
  5. Emergency Procedures
  6. Confrontation Management
  7. Use of force
  8. Written comprehensive examination

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Arrest Authority (8 hours)

  • Arrest Powers
  • Policies
  • Procedures

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Handgun (24 hours)

1. The entry-level handgun classroom training will include but not be limited to the following:

  1. Practical handgun handling
    1. Identification of handgun parts
    2. Draw
    3. Reholstering
    4. Ready position
    5. Loading
    6. Administrative loading
    7. Tactical reloading
    8. Rapid reloading
    9. Unloading
    10. Malfunctions
    11. Immediate actions procedures
    12. Remedial action
    13. Proper care and maintenance
    14. Firearms retention
    15. Ammunition identification and management
    16. Range safety
  2. Fundamentals of marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Dim light/low light/reduced light practice and familiarization
    1. Identification of target/threat/background
    2. Unaided training
    3. Aided training
    4. Flashlight use
    5. Reloading during low light conditions
    6. Malfunctions
    7. Range safety
  4. Use of force
    1. Deadly force
    2. Justifiable deadly force
  5. Liability
    1. Criminal liability
    2. Civil liability
    3. Negligent discharge prevention
  6. Judgmental shooting: judgmental shooting scenarios will be conducted in the classroom/range
  7. Lead exposure

Total Hours (excluding written examination) – 16 hours

2. Written examination required.

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Shotgun Entry-Level (3 hours) – If Applicable

A. Shotgun classroom training. Individual must first successfully complete entry-level or security officer handgun training. The entry-level shotgun classroom instruction will emphasize but not be limited to:

  1. Shotgun handling techniques
    1. Identification of shotgun parts
    2. Slings – traditional sling, single point sling, 3 point sling
    3. Cruiser carry conditions
    4. Cruiser safe
    5. Chambering
    6. Reloading
    7. Transition from handgun to shotgun/shotgun to handgun (if applicable)
    8. Malfunctions
      1. Immediate actions procedures
      2. Remedial action
    9. Proper care and maintenance
    10. Shotgun retention
    11. Ammunition management and identification
    12. Range safety
    13. Dim light/low light
  2. Fundamentals of shotgun marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Written examination

Total hours excluding examination (3 hours)

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Firearm Endorsement

You must also have your firearms endorsement training.

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Handgun (07E)

1. The entry-level handgun classroom training will include but not be limited to the following:

  1. Practical handgun handling
    1. Identification of handgun parts
    2. Draw
    3. Reholstering
    4. Ready position
    5. Loading
    6. Administrative loading
    7. Tactical reloading
    8. Rapid reloading
    9. Unloading
    10. Malfunctions
    11. Immediate actions procedures
    12. Remedial action
    13. Proper care and maintenance
    14. Firearms retention
    15. Ammunition identification and management
    16. Range safety
  2. Fundamentals of marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Dim light/low light/reduced light practice and familiarization
    1. Identification of target/threat/background
    2. Unaided training
    3. Aided training
    4. Flashlight use
    5. Reloading during low light conditions
    6. Malfunctions
    7. Range safety
  4. Use of force
    1. Deadly force
    2. Justifiable deadly force
  5. Liability
    1. Criminal liability
    2. Civil liability
    3. Negligent discharge prevention
  6. Judgmental shooting: judgmental shooting scenarios will be conducted in the classroom/range
  7. Lead exposure

Total Hours (excluding written examination) – 16 hours

2. Written examination required.

Virginia Armed Security Guard Training Handgun (75E)

1. The security officer handgun classroom training will include but not be limited to the following:

  1. Practical handgun handling
    1. Identification of handgun parts
    2. Draw
    3. Reholstering
    4. Ready position
    5. Loading
    6. Administrative loading
    7. Tactical reloading
    8. Rapid reloading
    9. Unloading
    10. Malfunctions
    11. Immediate actions procedures
    12. Remedial action
    13. Proper care and maintenance
    14. Firearms retention
    15. Ammunition identification and management
    16. Range safety
    17. Tactical considerations
    18. Movement
    19. Cover and concealment
  2. Fundamentals of marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Dim light/low light/reduced light practice and familiarization
    1. Identification of target/threat/background
    2. Unaided training
    3. Aided training
    4. Flashlight use
    5. Reloading during low light conditions
    6. Malfunctions
    7. Range safety
    8. Tactical considerations
    9. Movement
    10. Cover and concealment
    11. Multiple target drills
  4. Use of force
    1. Deadly force
    2. Justifiable deadly force
  5. Liability
    1. Criminal liability
    2. Civil liability
    3. Negligent discharge prevention
  6. Judgmental shooting: judgmental shooting scenarios will be conducted in the classroom/range
    1. Shoot/don’t shoot judgment
    2. Turn and fire drills
    3. Failure to stop drills
    4. Multiple target drills
  7. Lead exposure

Total Hours (excluding written examination) – 24 hours

Entry-level Shotgun Training (08E)

A. Shotgun classroom training. Individual must first successfully complete entry-level or security officer handgun training. The entry-level shotgun classroom instruction will emphasize but not be limited to:

  1. Shotgun handling techniques
    1. Identification of shotgun parts
    2. Slings – traditional sling, single point sling, 3 point sling
    3. Cruiser carry conditions
    4. Cruiser safe
    5. Chambering
    6. Reloading
    7. Transition from handgun to shotgun/shotgun to handgun (if applicable)
    8. Malfunctions
      1. Immediate actions procedures
      2. Remedial action
    9. Proper care and maintenance
    10. Shotgun retention
    11. Ammunition management and identification
    12. Range safety
    13. Dim light/low light
  2. Fundamentals of shotgun marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Written examination

Total hours excluding examination (3 hours)

Advanced Handgun (09E)

Advanced handgun training – required for the entry-level personal protection specialist who wishes to have firearms endorsement and optional for other armed registrants.

A. The entry level handgun training is a prerequisite for taking the advanced handgun training.

B. Advanced handgun classroom training.

  1. The advanced handgun training will include but not be limited to:
    1. Firearms safety
    2. Civil and criminal liability
    3. Concealed carry law and authority
    4. Function of firearms in close protection operations
    5. Deployment of firearms in close protection operations
    6. Use of force
    7. Principles of advanced marksmanship
    8. Decision-making for the personal protection specialist

Total hours (excluding written examination) – 14 hours

Entry-level Patrol Rifle Training (10E)

A. Patrol rifle classroom training. Individual must first successfully complete security officer handgun training. The entry-level patrol rifle classroom instruction will emphasize but not be limited to:

  1. Rifle handling techniques
    1. Nomenclature/identification of rifle parts
    2. Field striping and reassembling
    3. Loading and unloading
    4. Chambering
    5. Reloading
    6. Slings
      1. Traditional sling
      2. Single point sling
      3. 3 Point sling
    7. Transition from handgun to rifle/rifle to handgun
    8. Malfunctions
    9. Immediate actions procedures
    10. Remedial action
    11. Proper care and maintenance
    12. Rifle retention
    13. Ammunition management and identification
    14. Range safety
    15. Dim light/low light
  2. Fundamentals of rifle marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Zeroing iron sights
    1. Establishing mechanical zero
    2. Zeroing process
  4. Dim light shooting
    1. Hours of darkness/dim light
    2. Identification requirements
    3. Unaided reduced light shooting techniques
    4. Aided reduced light shooting techniques
  5. Shooting positions
    1. Fundamentals of shooting positions
    2. Basic patrol positions
  6. Use of force
  7. Criminal and civil liability
  8. Written examination

Total hours (excluding examination) 16 hours

VA Armed Security Officer Initial Application Process

  1. Submit to the VA Department of Criminal Justice  the registration initial application, firearm endorsement application and applicable non-refundable fee.
  2. Fingerprint card, fingerprint processing application and applicable non-refundable fee.
  3. Complete in-service, the firearms retraining and the firearms endorsement training. The school you took your courses at will submit your name to the state as verification.

Virginia Armed Security Guard Renewal Training & Licensing

  • Renew Every: 2 years
  • Renewal Fee: $20
  • Firearms Endorsement Every Year: $10

Virginia Armed Security Guard Renewal Training Requirements

In order to renew your Virginia armed security guard officer registration, you need 6-8 hours of refresher training. This training has the following core topics:

  • In-service Security Officer Core Concepts (4 hours)
    • Legal Authority (2 hours)
    • Job-Related Training  (2 hours)
  • Firearms Retraining (4 hours)
    • Classroom Retraining or Practical Exercises – 4 hours
  • Shotgun Retraining (3 hours) – If Applicable
    • Classroom Retraining or Practical Exercises – 3 hours
  • Advanced Handgun Retraining (8 hours) – If Applicable
    • Legal Authority and Decision-Making – 4 hours
    • Handgun Safety, Marksmanship, and Skill Development – 4 hours
  • Patrol Rifle Retraining (4 hours) – If Applicable
    • Classroom Retraining or Practical Exercises – 4 hours

The state of Virginia maintains an online list of schools offering security officer renewal training.

Certain training exemptions may be granted for required training courses. You should submit this form at least 60 days before your license expires as it takes 30 days for your training exemption to be approved.

Virginia Armed Security Guard Renewal Training Firearm Endorsement (Annual)

You must also renew every year, you firearms endorsement. This requires additional training every year.

Handgun (07E)

1. The entry-level handgun classroom training will include but not be limited to the following:

  1. Practical handgun handling
    1. Identification of handgun parts
    2. Draw
    3. Reholstering
    4. Ready position
    5. Loading
    6. Administrative loading
    7. Tactical reloading
    8. Rapid reloading
    9. Unloading
    10. Malfunctions
    11. Immediate actions procedures
    12. Remedial action
    13. Proper care and maintenance
    14. Firearms retention
    15. Ammunition identification and management
    16. Range safety
  2. Fundamentals of marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Dim light/low light/reduced light practice and familiarization
    1. Identification of target/threat/background
    2. Unaided training
    3. Aided training
    4. Flashlight use
    5. Reloading during low light conditions
    6. Malfunctions
    7. Range safety
  4. Use of force
    1. Deadly force
    2. Justifiable deadly force
  5. Liability
    1. Criminal liability
    2. Civil liability
    3. Negligent discharge prevention
  6. Judgmental shooting: judgmental shooting scenarios will be conducted in the classroom/range
  7. Lead exposure

Total Hours (excluding written examination) – 16 hours

2. Written examination required.

Security Officer Handgun (75E)

1. The security officer handgun classroom training will include but not be limited to the following:

  1. Practical handgun handling
    1. Identification of handgun parts
    2. Draw
    3. Reholstering
    4. Ready position
    5. Loading
    6. Administrative loading
    7. Tactical reloading
    8. Rapid reloading
    9. Unloading
    10. Malfunctions
    11. Immediate actions procedures
    12. Remedial action
    13. Proper care and maintenance
    14. Firearms retention
    15. Ammunition identification and management
    16. Range safety
    17. Tactical considerations
    18. Movement
    19. Cover and concealment
  2. Fundamentals of marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Dim light/low light/reduced light practice and familiarization
    1. Identification of target/threat/background
    2. Unaided training
    3. Aided training
    4. Flashlight use
    5. Reloading during low light conditions
    6. Malfunctions
    7. Range safety
    8. Tactical considerations
    9. Movement
    10. Cover and concealment
    11. Multiple target drills
  4. Use of force
    1. Deadly force
    2. Justifiable deadly force
  5. Liability
    1. Criminal liability
    2. Civil liability
    3. Negligent discharge prevention
  6. Judgmental shooting: judgmental shooting scenarios will be conducted in the classroom/range
    1. Shoot/don’t shoot judgment
    2. Turn and fire drills
    3. Failure to stop drills
    4. Multiple target drills
  7. Lead exposure

Total Hours (excluding written examination) – 24 hours

Entry-level Shotgun Training (08E)

A. Shotgun classroom training. Individual must first successfully complete entry-level or security officer handgun training. The entry-level shotgun classroom instruction will emphasize but not be limited to:

  1. Shotgun handling techniques
    1. Identification of shotgun parts
    2. Slings – traditional sling, single point sling, 3 point sling
    3. Cruiser carry conditions
    4. Cruiser safe
    5. Chambering
    6. Reloading
    7. Transition from handgun to shotgun/shotgun to handgun (if applicable)
    8. Malfunctions
      1. Immediate actions procedures
      2. Remedial action
    9. Proper care and maintenance
    10. Shotgun retention
    11. Ammunition management and identification
    12. Range safety
    13. Dim light/low light
  2. Fundamentals of shotgun marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Written examination

Total hours excluding examination (3 hours)

Advanced Handgun (09E)

Advanced handgun training – required for the entry-level personal protection specialist who wishes to have firearms endorsement and optional for other armed registrants.

A. The entry level handgun training is a prerequisite for taking the advanced handgun training.

B. Advanced handgun classroom training.

  1. The advanced handgun training will include but not be limited to:
    1. Firearms safety
    2. Civil and criminal liability
    3. Concealed carry law and authority
    4. Function of firearms in close protection operations
    5. Deployment of firearms in close protection operations
    6. Use of force
    7. Principles of advanced marksmanship
    8. Decision-making for the personal protection specialist

Total hours (excluding written examination) – 14 hours

Entry-level Patrol Rifle Training (10E)

A. Patrol rifle classroom training. Individual must first successfully complete security officer handgun training. The entry-level patrol rifle classroom instruction will emphasize but not be limited to:

  1. Rifle handling techniques
    1. Nomenclature/identification of rifle parts
    2. Field striping and reassembling
    3. Loading and unloading
    4. Chambering
    5. Reloading
    6. Slings
      1. Traditional sling
      2. Single point sling
      3. 3 Point sling
    7. Transition from handgun to rifle/rifle to handgun
    8. Malfunctions
    9. Immediate actions procedures
    10. Remedial action
    11. Proper care and maintenance
    12. Rifle retention
    13. Ammunition management and identification
    14. Range safety
    15. Dim light/low light
  2. Fundamentals of rifle marksmanship
    1. Grip
    2. Stance (position)
    3. Sight alignment
    4. Sight picture
    5. Trigger control
    6. Breathing
    7. Follow through
  3. Zeroing iron sights
    1. Establishing mechanical zero
    2. Zeroing process
  4. Dim light shooting
    1. Hours of darkness/dim light
    2. Identification requirements
    3. Unaided reduced light shooting techniques
    4. Aided reduced light shooting techniques
  5. Shooting positions
    1. Fundamentals of shooting positions
    2. Basic patrol positions
  6. Use of force
  7. Criminal and civil liability
  8. Written examination

Total hours (excluding examination) 16 hours

VA Security Officer Renewal Process

  1. Submit to the VA Department of Criminal Justice  the registration renewal application, firearm endorsement application and applicable non-refundable fee.
  2. Complete in-service, the firearms retraining and the firearms endorsement training. The school you took your courses at will submit your name to the state as verification.

Renewing an Expired Security Officer License

If you license has expired by 60 days or less, you can renew with the payment of a $10 late fee.