Tennessee Security Guard Registration Information (Guard Card)

Sections

• Requirements to Become a Security Guard
• Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
• Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
• Club, Stun Gun, Chemical Spray, Night Stick or other less than lethal device
• Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
• Fingerprinting/Background Check
• Disqualifications

Information	Details
State Agency	Tennessee Private Protective Services
Website	https://www.tn.gov/
Term of License	2-years.
Pre-Assignment Training Required?	Yes. 4-hours.
Total Training Required	4-hours.
Online Training Approved?	Unknown
Referesher Training Required?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Firearms Training?	Yes. 12-hours.
Separate Baton Training?	Yes.
Separate Pepper Spray Training?
Average Hourly Wage	$14.40
Average Annual Salary	$29,940

Requirements to Become a Security Guard

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The applicant must:

• be at least 18 years of age for registration as an unarmed security guard.
  21-years old for armed.
• be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.
• not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease unless a court of competent jurisdiction has since declared the applicant competent;
• if convicted in any jurisdiction of any of the crimes listed in subdivision (4), have completed serving sentence or court ordered probation at least five (5) years prior to application.
• not be suffering from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence;
• Not have any disability that, in the opinion of the commissioner, prevents the applicant from performing the duties of a security guard/officer; and
• be of good moral character.
• meet the training requirements.
• submit three fingerprint cards for processing for a TBI and or FBI criminal history check, or submit electronic fingerprints.

Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)

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• NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Arkansas, not the trainer.

Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)

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An armed guard must complete 8-hours classroom training in firearms, regulations, laws, and safety.

In addition, an armed guard applicant must complete an additional 4-hours of marksmanship training and achieve a minimum of 70% on any silhouette target course approved by the commissioner.

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

Club, Stun Gun, Chemical Spray, Night Stick or other less than lethal device

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Registered guards or applicants who will carry a club, stun gun, chemical spray, night stick or other less than lethal device, the commissioner shall require appropriate training specific to such device by a certified trainer who is certified to instruct for such specific device. It shall be the employers' responsibility to keep training records of their employees for each device. The security officer/guard shall also have in such person's possession a certification card issued by an instructor/trainer who is certified to instruct/train in the legal use of such specific device and shall exhibit such card upon demand by the commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized agent or any full time law enforcement officer.

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

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Unarmed Guards/Officers renew registration every two (2) years.

Every two (2) years armed security guards must complete four hours of refresher training and requalify in the use of a firearm by achieving a minimum of 70% on any silhouette target course approved by the commissioner prior to the renewal of their guard registration.

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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All applicants are required to utilize electronic fingerprint submission and must make an appointment with IdentoGO/IDEMIA by MorphoTrust USA. Results will be processed by TBI/FBI then received by the Tennessee Private Protective Services.

Disqualifications

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If convicted in any jurisdiction of any of the crimes listed in this subdivision (4), have completed serving sentence or court ordered probation at least five (5) years prior to application. Conviction of the following crimes shall disqualify an applicant, subject to the conditions stated in this section:

• Any felony; or
• Any misdemeanor involving:
  • Shooting a firearm or other weapon;
  • Shoplifting;
  • Assault and battery or other act of violence against persons or property;
  • Crimes involving the sale, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, drugs or narcotics;
  • Theft of property; or
  • Theft of services;