West Virginia Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)

Sections

• Requirements to Become a Security Guard
• Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)
• Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)
• Fingerprinting/Background Check

Information	Details
State Agency	West Virginia Secretary of State, Licensing Division
Website	https://sos.wv.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?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Baton Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Separate Pepper Spray Training?	At the employer's discretion.
Average Hourly Wage	$13.26
Average Annual Salary	$27,590

Requirements to Become a Security Guard

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The applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old or older.
• Be a citizen of the United States, or an alien legally residing in the United States.
• Be of good moral character.
• Have not had a previous private investigator or security guard license revoked or denied in West Virginia or any other state.
• Have not been declared incompetent by a court because of a mental defect or illness.
• Do not suffer from narcotics addiction or dependence or habitual drunkenness.
• Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or territory.
• Have not been convicted of any of these crimes:
  • Illegally using, carrying or possessing a pistol or other dangerous weapon;
  • Making or possessing burglar's instruments;
  • Buying or receiving stolen property;
  • Entering a building unlawfully;
  • Aiding an inmate's escape from prison;
  • Possessing or distributing illicit drugs; or
  • Any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or for which dishonesty of character is a necessary element.
• Have never:
  • Engaged in the private investigation or security guard business without a license;
  • Transferred my license to an unlicensed person or subcontracted with an unlicensed person or firm to conduct investigations or security guard business;
  • Employed anyone to conduct investigations or security guard business who was in violation of any of the prohibitions or requirements of law;
  • Falsely represented that I am or any other person is licensed as an investigator or guard;
  • Made any false report with respect to any matter relating to my employment;
  • Divulged any information obtained from or for a client without express permission;
  • Knowingly accepted employment to obtain information intended for illegal purposes; or
  • Authorized another person to violate the law or rules.

Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)

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The State regulates the industry and employers, but not the individual security guards. The employer registers the guard with the State and provides an identification card.

Employment and training requirements are at the employer's discretion.

Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)

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Guards must adhere to all state private citizen firearm laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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