Connecticut Security Officer Certification Identification Card Information (Guard Card)
Sections
- Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Firearms Permit Endorsement (Armed Security Officer)
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
- Disqualifying Convictions
Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
Security guards, bondsmen, and detectives are overseen by the Connecticut Department of Public Safety.
Connecticut General Statute 29-161q requires that security officers obtain a Security Officer Certification Identification Card, prior to a Security Service Company registering such employee with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. All security officers must be at least 18 years of age and (armed security officers must be at least 21 years of age), to work armed.
Applicants for Security Officer Certification Identification Card must complete a course of instruction approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, at their expense. The course is offered by private instructors and involves classroom criminal justice training. Upon completion of the course, the instructor signs off on the reverse side of the application form DPS 135-C. The application form and fingerprints are then submitted to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. The Security Officer card is good for 5 years unless suspended or revoked.
All Contract Security Officers and Proprietary Uniformed Security Officers must take an 8-hour training in order to be a Certified Security Officer in the State of Connecticut. This course ensures the Security Officer is certified and eligible for security employment.
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Connecticut, not the trainer.
Firearms Permit Endorsement (Armed Security Officer)
All Armed Security Officers will now be mandated to take an 8-hour training and firearms qualification course and annually take a refresher course in order to receive and maintain the security firearms (blue card endorsement) in their State pistol permit. This course will insure that Armed Security Officer are trained and qualify with the firearms carrying in the armed security employment.
Connecticut General Statue 29-161z requires that all employees hired by a security service to perform security officer services, while armed with a firearm, must obtain a special permit from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Armed security officers must be at least 21 years of age. The employer is responsible for insuring that the employee has obtained the permit (endorsement). Any employee hired to work, as security officer shall be certified as a security officer and obtains an identification card prior to the security service company making application to register the security officer with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The permit endorsement is in addition to the permit requirements imposed under C.G.S. Sec. 29-28. Failure to register an employee or allowing such person to work without the proper supplement firearm permit may result in the suspension or revocation of the company's business license and the imposition of a $75.00 fine per violation. The security officer would also be issued a $ 75.00 fine for carrying a firearm without the proper pistol permit endorsement.
Applicants for the security officer firearms permit endorsement must complete a course of instruction approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, at their expense. The course is offered by private instructors and involves classroom training in safety and use of firearms and range qualification. Upon completion of the course, the firearm instructor signs off on the reverse side of the application form DPS-1030. The application form is then submitted to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. A $62.00 application fee is charged for issuance of the permit endorsement. The permit endorsement is good for 5 years unless suspended or revoked, and runs parallel with the expiration date of the Connecticut State Pistol Permit. The applicant has to annually obtain a firearm refresher course utilizing the same process as mentioned above.
- NOTE: A Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
All Armed Security Officers will now be mandated to take an 8-hour training and firearms qualification course and annually take a refresher course in order to receive and maintain the security firearms (blue card endorsement) in their State pistol permit. This course will insure that Armed Security Officer are trained and qualify with the firearms carrying in the armed security employment.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
A criminal history background check will be run on the prospective applicant. The applicant will be notified of the approval or denial of the certification identification card.
Convictions
No person shall be approved for the security officer certification identification card that has been convicted of a felony, any sexual offense or any crime that would tend to question the honesty and integrity of the person. No person that has been denied a security service license, except based upon lack of experience, may be certified or registered as a security officer. Security officers may only be issued, and wear badges or insignia of the type authorized and approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
