Pennsylvania Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)

Sections

• Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
• Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
• Fingerprinting/Background Check

Information	Details
State Agency	Pennsylvania Department of State, Professional Licensing
Website	https://www.dos.pa.gov/
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.
Separate Baton Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Pepper Spray Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Average Hourly Wage	$13.82
Average Annual Salary	$28,750

Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)

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Hiring and training are at the employer's discretion.

Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)

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The Lethal Weapons Training Act 235 provides certification to privately employed agents to carry a lethal weapon. A lethal weapon is any firearm, device, instrument, material, or any other substance that is capable of bringing about great bodily harm or death. The Lethal Weapons Training Act incorporates education and training as part of being a certified agent.

Please note that in August 2017, the Pennsylvania Superior Court issued an opinion in Commonwealth v. Anderson, ___ A.3d ___ (Aug. 23, 2017), and ruled that an Act 235 certification is not a substitute for a license to carry. Agents are reminded of the Regulations governing Act 235, at Section 21.26(d), which state "The issuance of a certification card to a privately employed agent does not grant the agent the right or privilege to carry, possess, own, or have under his control a firearm contrary to 18 Pa.C.S. §6101—6120 (relating to Uniform Firearms Act)." In light of this ruling, it may be prudent for agents to obtain a license to carry their firearms while in an off-duty status, including traveling to and from places of employment, or in instances where agents are required to conceal a firearm on duty, including loaded carry inside of a vehicle. Agents should direct questions regarding this to their employers.

https://www.psp.pa.gov/lethalweapons/pages/default.aspx

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

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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The employer must complete a criminal background check on all employees, which includes fingerprinting.