North Carolina Private Protective Services License (Guard Card)
Sections
- Requirements to Become a Security Guard
- Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
- Firearm Registration Permit (Armed Security Officer)
- Long-Gun Certification
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
- Disqualifications
Requirements to Become a Security Guard
The applicant must:
- be at least 18 years of age.
- have a good moral character and temperate habits.
Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
The Board may require the applicant to demonstrate the applicant's qualifications by oral or written examination or by successful completion of a Board-approved training program, or all three.
All security companies may employ unarmed security guards as probationary employees for 20 consecutive calendar days. Upon completion of the probationary period and the desire of the licensee to hire an unarmed security guard as a regular employee, the licensee shall register the employee who will be engaged in providing private protective services.
A security guard and patrol company may not employ an unarmed security guard in a regular position unless the guard has a registration card issued.
A minimum of 16-hours of classroom instruction is required for licensure. The first 4-hours must be completed within 20 calendar days of a regular or probationary security guard being placed at a duty station. The remaining 12-hours of classroom instruction must be completed with 30-days of hire.
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of North Carolina, not the trainer.
Firearm Registration Permit (Armed Security Officer)
It is unlawful for any person performing private protective services duties to carry a firearm in the performance of those duties without first having met the minimum qualifications and having been issued a firearm registration permit by the Board. A security company shall register any individual carrying a firearm within 30 days of employment.
The Firearm Registration Permit belongs to the State. If an armed security guard terminates his or her employment with the contract security company or proprietary security organization, the firearm registration permit expires and must be returned to the Board within 15 working days of the date of termination of the employee.
An applicant for a firearm registration permit must fire a minimum qualifying score to be determined by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety on any approved target course approved by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety.
The basic training course approved by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety shall consist of a minimum of 4-hours of classroom training, plus range time.
Long-Gun Certification
In addition, the Private Protective Services offers the Long-Gun Trainer Course, which includes the shotgun and rifle certifications. This is a supplemental 24-hour course that has a pre-requisite of first having completed the initial Pre-Qual(8-hr) course and subsequent 32-hour Firearms Trainer Course(handgun only), thereby totaling 40 hours. More specifically, this course requires an active Firearms Trainer to successfully qualify with a minimal score of 90% or better one out of two times during the day qualification on the shotgun; then you must score a 90% or better on the day and night qualification courses one out of two times on the rifle. During this course, a basic Skills Test must also be completed, which includes a previously qualified handgun, either a semi-automatic or revolver.
- NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
All licensees are required to submit documentation showing 12-hours of Board approved Continuing Education (CE) credits within the two year renewal period.
A firearms registrant must complete a refresher course and must requalify on the prescribed target course prior to the renewal of his or her firearm registration permit.
If more than 12 hours of continuing education are completed in one renewal period, please be advised that only 12-hours will be applied for that period, and any remaining hours are not applicable for future renewals.
Only 6-hours per renewal period may be obtained on-line.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
Upon receipt of an application for a license, registration, certification, or permit, the Board shall conduct a background investigation to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for a license, registration, certification, or permit
Disqualifications
Any conviction by any local, State, federal, or military court of any crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a firearm; conviction of any crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance, drug, narcotic, or alcoholic beverage; conviction of a crime involving felonious assault or an act of violence; conviction of a crime involving unlawful breaking or entering, burglary, larceny, or any offense involving moral turpitude; or a history of addiction to alcohol or a narcotic drug; provided that, for purposes of this subsection, "conviction" means and includes the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest or a verdict rendered in open court by a judge or jury.
