Texas Security Officer Registration Information (Levels of Guard Card)
Sections
- Overview
- Requirements to Become an Armed or Unarmed Security Guard
- Level II Noncommissioned Security Officers (Unarmed Security Guard)
- Level III Commissioned Security Officers (Armed Security Guard)
- Level IV Personal Protection Officers (Executive Protection/Bodyguard)
- Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Fingerprinting/Background Check
Overview
The Texas DPS uses an online system for inital and renewal application submissions. The system is called the "TOPS License and Endorsement Application."
A list of approved Training and Continuing Education Schools are listed on TOPS.
https://tops.portal.texas.gov/psp-self-service/search/
There are three levels of security officers in Texas:
- Level II Noncommissioned Security Officers (Unarmed Security Guard)
- Level III Commissioned Security Officers (Armed Security Guard)
- Level IV Personal Protection Officers (Executive Protection/Bodyguard)
- NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Texas, not the trainer.
Level II Noncommissioned Security Officers (Unarmed Security Guard)
The Level II training course shall be completed by all applicants for a security officer commission or for registration as a noncommissioned security officer. The course material shall be prepared or approved by the department. A certificate indicating completion of Level II training shall be submitted to the department with the required application. Level II training may be taught by the licensee's manager, the manager's designee, or a board approved school and board approved instructor using the most current version of the respective Board Level II training course manuals.
Level III Commissioned Security Officers (Armed Security Guard)
The Level III training course shall be completed by all applicants for a security officer commission and a personal protection officer endorsement. The course material shall be prepared by and obtained from the department. A certificate indicating completion of Level III training shall be submitted to the department along with the application to register the individual.
The Level III Training Course (minimum 45 hours) and test (including course of fire) is required for all commissioned security officers and personal protection officers. This training course must be administered by a licensed Level III Training School and taught by a licensed Level III Instructor. The demonstration of firearm proficiency must be completed within 90 days of the application date.
Handgun course training and proficiency examinations include semi-automatic handgun, revolver, and shotgun requirements.
- A complete security officer commission application must be submitted on the most current version of the form provided by the department. The application must include:
- The required application fee;
- Fingerprints in form and manner approved by the department;
- The required criminal history check fee;
- A copy of the applicant's Level II certificate of completion;
- A copy of the applicant's Level III certificate of completion;
- Non Texas residents must provide a copy of an identification card issued by the state of the applicant's residence, or other government issued identification card; and
- Non United States citizens must submit a copy of their current alien registration card. Non-resident aliens must also submit documents establishing the right to possess firearms under federal law.
- Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be returned for clarification or missing information.
- NOTE: A Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.
Level IV Personal Protection Officers (Executive Protection/Bodyguard)
The Level IV training course shall be completed by all applicants for a personal protection officer endorsement. The course material shall consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) classroom hours and shall be offered by department approved personal protection officer training schools and taught by department approved personal protection training instructors. All training shall be conducted with a department approved instructor present during all instruction. All students of a personal protection officer training course shall be tested with an examination prepared by and obtained from the department.
- An applicant for personal protection endorsement shall:
- Submit a written application for a personal protection endorsement on a form prescribed by the department;
- Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Either possess a valid security officer commission issued prior to applying for a personal protection endorsement, or submit an application for security officer commission in conjunction with the application for a personal protection endorsement;
- Submit proof that the applicant has successfully completed the personal protection officer course taught by an approved personal protection officer instructor; and
- Submit proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test or equivalent (proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test shall be on the prescribed form Declaration of Psychological and Emotional Health and shall be signed by a licensed psychologist).
- A personal protection officer may transfer his endorsement to another employer if the personal protection officer:
- Has transferred his security officer commission to the new employer; and
- Submits the appropriate form and transfer fee to the department within fourteen (14) days of the transfer of employment to the new employer.
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
All registrants shall complete a total of eight (8) hours of continuing education, seven (7) hours of which must be in subject matter that relates to the type of registration held, and one (1) hour of which must cover ethics.
An application to renew an individual license, may not be submitted until the required minimum hours of department approved continuing education credits have been earned in accordance with TAC 35.161. Proof of the required continuing education must be maintained by the employer and contained in the personnel file of the individual license holder's employing company. All individual license holders shall indicate they have completed the required minimum hours of department approved continuing education credits on their application for renewal.
Commissioned security officers shall submit a firearms proficiency certificate along with the renewal application. Commissioned security officers and personal protection officers shall complete six (6) hours of continuing education. This training course must be administered by a licensed Level III Training School and taught by a licensed Level III Instructor. The demonstration of firearm proficiency must be completed within 90 days of the renewal application date.
Fingerprinting/Background Check
Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702, DPS must conduct a fingerprint based FBI Criminal History background check for new and renewal Private Security License applications including owners and company representatives.
Private Security applicants are required to submit fingerprints to DPS as part of a substantially complete application per TAC §35.21. Fingerprints must be submitted electronically with IdentoGO.
