New Hampshire Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)
Sections
- Requirements to Become a Security Guard
- Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
- Firearms Permit Renewal
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
Requirements to Become a Security Guard
The applicant must:
- be a resident of the United States
- be at least 18 years of age
- never been convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor crime associated with theft, honesty, fraud, use or sale of controlled substances or misdemeanor crimes of violence, domestic violence or abuse of any type that has not been pardoned or annulled by a court in New Hampshire or any other state or nation (except traffic violations).
- not be currently the subject of an active domestic violence Protective Order in New Hampshire or any other jurisdiction in the US, its possessions or territories.
Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
Licenses shall be valid for 2 years after the date of issue and shall be renewed every 2 years thereafter.
The employer shall be responsible for the conduct of any such employees who shall be covered under the licensee's surety bond.
Subject matter of training is at the employer's discretion. At a minimum the training includes, but is not limited to, the statutory and case laws on the use of force, the laws of arrest by non-law enforcement personnel, and other issues relative to the occupation of a security guard.
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of New Hampshire, not the trainer.
Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
The practical pistol or revolver course or the tactical revolver or pistol course, as determined by the commissioner for the weapon being carried, with a minimum qualification score of 75 percent.
Shotgun familiarization course required for all security officers and bail recovery agents whose employers issue, or have as part of their equipment, shotguns, and a rifle qualification course if a rifle is part of their equipment.
4-hours of classroom instruction, to include firearms techniques and safety, laws on the use of deadly force, and the moral and ethical use of force. Only qualified firearms instructors shall be used to certify the successful completion of the requirements.
Firearms Permit Renewal
All armed security guards, armed private investigators, and armed bail recovery agents shall meet minimum requirements in the proficiency in the use of firearms upon initial licensure and at least once per year. The requirements shall be as follows:
- The practical pistol or revolver course or the tactical revolver or pistol course, as determined by the commissioner for the weapon being carried, with a minimum qualification score of 75 percent.
- Shotgun familiarization course required for all security officers and bail recovery agents whose employers issue, or have as part of their equipment, shotguns, and a rifle qualification course if a rifle is part of their equipment.
- Four hours of instruction, to include firearms techniques and safety, laws on the use of deadly force, and the moral and ethical use of force. Only qualified firearms instructors shall be used to certify the successful completion of the requirements.
- NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
Licenses shall be renewed every 2 years.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
The background investigation shall include a criminal records check on each applicant. In addition, the division shall notify the local law enforcement agency in which the applicant resides as to the individual's application for a license.
The applicant shall submit to a fingerprint examination conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the department of safety shall be authorized to use the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the screening of applicants.
