Georgia Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)
Sections
- Requirements to Become a Security Guard
- Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Exposed Weapon Permit (Armed Security Officer)
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
- Disqualifications
Requirements to Become a Security Guard
The applicant must:
- Complete a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a United States citizen or either a legal permanent resident of the United States or I am a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act with an alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency.
Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
Unarmed security guards are not required to be registered with the Georgia Board of Private Detective & Security Agencies; however, unarmed security guards must be trained according to the Board standards and are governed by the Board as mandated in OCGA 43-38-7.1.
Exposed Weapon Permit (Armed Security Officer)
15 hours of additional firearms instruction is required for the exposed weapons permit.
No person licensed by the board to carry a firearm shall carry any firearm which is not in operable condition and capable of firing live ammunition, and when carrying such a weapon, the licensee shall have on his person live ammunition capable of being fired in the weapon which he carries.
- NOTE: A Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
The holder of any weapon permit issued by the board must qualify annually with the weapon carried or assigned. Proof of range scores must be retained by the license holder or agency.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies requires a fingerprint background check on all applicants. Fingerprints are processed through Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS). The Federal/State criminal history results will be available to the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies within 48 hours after the applicant has been fingerprinted and the prints are received by GBI, Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).
Disqualifications
- Upon receipt of an application for employee registration that indicates a prior criminal record, the Board may register such employee who has previously been convicted of a misdemeanor provided that: (a) The criminal record does not show evidence of disregard for the law, which may be cause for the Board to deny any application for registration and/or permit to carry firearms.
- Any felony conviction may be cause for the Board to reject an application for employee registration and/or weapon permit. However, the Board may inquire into the nature of the crime, the date of conviction or plea, and other underlying facts and circumstances surrounding such criminal conviction and, in its discretion, may allow the employee to be registered.
- Under no circumstances shall the Board issue an exposed or concealed weapon permit to any applicant who has been convicted of a felony without first having been provided with proof of a pardon or restoration of civil rights which specifically states the restoration of the right to carry firearms.
Applicants who answer "Yes" to the application questions concerning criminal history or disciplinary actions taken against them must submit certified documentation of court dispositions, agency orders, or any other documentation to provide a complete answer to such questions. Failure to provide this information will result in processing delays and may be grounds for disapproval of the application by the Board.
