Iowa Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)

Sections

• Requirements to Become a Security Guard
• Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
• Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
• Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements (Firearms)

Information	Details
State Agency	Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Website	http://www.dps.state.ia.us/asd/licensing.shtml
Term of License	Term of employment
Pre-Assignment Training Required?	At the employer's discretion.
Total Training Required	At the employer's discretion.
Online Training Approved?	At the employer's discretion.
Referesher Training Required?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Firearms Training?	Yes, 4-hours.
Separate Baton Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Pepper Spray Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Average Hourly Wage	$13.31
Average Annual Salary	$27,670

Requirements to Become a Security Guard

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The applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Never have been convicted of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor;
• Not be an abuser of alcohol or a controlled substance;
• Not have a history of repeated acts of violence;
• Be of good moral character;
• Not been convicted of any crime defined in Iowa Code section 708.3, 708.4, 708.5, 708.6, 708.8, or 708.9, or a like offense in another jurisdiction;
• Not been convicted by any court of illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon;
• Not have a history of mental illness or instability.

Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)

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There is no state license to be a security guard in Iowa. However, the employer must submit information to the DPS so that the DPS can create a security employee identification card.

The security employee identification card is issued under the name of a particular agency. Therefore, it is only valid while working for the agency that is named on the card.

Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)

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The Iowa Code requires all applicants to successfully complete a training program designed to qualify persons in the safe use of firearms and the Iowa Code requires that the commissioner approve all training programs.

There are two firearms training course: one for professional and one for nonprofessional applicants. Both programs include a minimum 4-hours course of instruction using a written curriculum, an instructor and an examination. The program for professional applicants includes an additional requirement that the applicant qualify on a firing range.

The firearms permit is issued by the local Sherrif's office. The sheriff may use discretion in determining whether or not to issue the permit. Prior to issuing the permit, the sheriff shall determine that the applicant is not a convicted felon by obtaining criminal history data through the I.O.W.A. system from the department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

• NOTE: A Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements (Firearms)

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Residents who wish to renew the permit to carry weapons shall comply with the renewal procedures established by the sheriff, which may include a training program, an examination or qualification on a firing range and shall pay a fee established by the Iowa Code.