New Jersey Security Officer Certification Information (Guard Card)
Sections
- Requirements to Become a Security Officer
- Security Officer Certification (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
- Disqualifications
Requirements to Become a Security Officer
The applicant must:
- be at least 18 years of age.
Security Officer Certification (Unarmed Security Officer)
Security Officer Registration Act (SORA)
A first time applicant ONLY receives a (30) day Temporary Certification. Upon expiration, applicant must discontinue work until SORA certification is approved. Ninety days prior to expiration, you will be notified via email that it is time to renew. Subsequent emails are sent at 60 days and 30 days prior to expiration. Emails are sent to the email address that is listed on your personal profile.
The Security Officer Certification is good for a period of 2 years at which time a renewal application must be submitted prior to the expiration of the certification.
The security officer company (employer) must register all security guards with the Superintendent of the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
A temporary certificate of registration as a security officer shall be valid for 30 days, during which time an applicant must complete an approved security officer training course as required by N.J.A.C. 13:55A-3.4.
A 24-hours minimum pre-assignment training course is required within 30-days of employment.
A person seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer must complete an approved 24-hours course of classroom instruction taught by a certified security officer instructor.
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Arkansas, not the trainer.
Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
The armed security officer certification does NOT authorize the applicant or card holder to carry a firearm. The certification only permits the applicant or cardholder to legally work for a security company as an armed guard, after they have first obtained approval for the State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun. To obtain a carry permit you must first make a separate application for a State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun through the municipal police department where you reside as per N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.
- NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
The Security Officer Certification is good for a period of 2 years at which time a renewal application must be submitted prior to the expiration of the certification.
A person holding a valid security officer certificate of registration who wishes to renew, shall submit an application for renewal on a form provided by and in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent, and proof of having completed a biennial (every 2-years) security officer refresher training course, as required by N.J.A.C. 13:55A-4.2, prior to the expiration of the current certification.
All registered security officers shall complete an approved 8-hours refresher course of classroom instruction taught by a certified security officer instructor prior to having the certification renewed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:55A-3.6.
Armed Renewals
Armed security officers must renew annually and attend an 8-hours block of instruction by a licensed SORA instructor each year.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
All applicants must submit fingerpints via IdentoGO®.
Prior to beginning this process applicants must obtain the (MorphoTrust form) Universal Fingerprint Form from the agency/employer/organization requiring you to be fingerprinted. Applicants will not be able to schedule an appointment without it.
Any person seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer shall submit fingerprints and a written consent for a criminal history background check to the Superintendent or in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent.
Disqualifications
No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree; any offense involving the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2; or any offense where the registration of the individual would be contrary to the public interest, as determined by the Superintendent.
