Security Guard Training – Nevada

In order to be able to work as a security guard or private patrol officer in the state of Nevada (under Nevada law, security guards are known as private patrol officers), you must first obtain your registration card and satisfy the requirements that have been put in place by the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board. No training is required before you apply for your registration card, however there is a mandatory 11-hour training course and exam that you must take and submit with your application.

The qualifications needed to apply for a Nevada unarmed security guard license are as follows:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• The applicant must have a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate (Nevada security guard training programs require one of these credentials upon enrollment).
• U.S. citizenship or legal residency is necessary.
• Applicant must have no criminal record and must undergo a criminal and personal background check.
• Applicants will submit to professional fingerprinting.
• Applicant will complete the required 11 hours of security guard training, which must meet the standards set by the state of Nevada. This training provides the opportunity for the applicant to earn his or hers guard card and is typically available from the same private security company or other establishment that you get hired to work for. The training covers topics such as observation, crowd control, emergency situations, detaining criminals, report writing, ethics and legal issues.
• Applicant must complete a written application, which is available from the Nevada Private Investigator’s Licensing Board’s offices and its website. The application fee as of Feb. 2011, was $135.00.
• The applicant will provide a valid photo ID card like a Nevada driver’s license and a 2″ x 2″ passport photo.

In order to gain a license as a qualifying armed security guard in Las Vegas, Nevada, you must:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Complete 8-hours of classroom training and 5-hours of firearm range training at a certified training facility (the entire course must be completed in order to obtain the certification to carry a firearm).
• Prospective licensees must have no criminal record and must undergo a criminal and personal background check.
• Information for the IRS will be provided.
• Prospective licensees must complete an application, submit a photograph and pay a submission fee, which as of February 2011, was $1,470 for applicants who require only a basic background check.
• Prospective licensees must have a minimum of five years of experience working as a registered security guard.
• Prospective licensees must have a minimum of 2,000 hours during each of those years.
• Application must include a specific description of the primary place of business where the license will be used.

As a security guard in Nevada, you must take a 6-hour refresher course every 24 months to maintain your guard card. The state also requires a 1-hour refresher course every 6 months for the applicant to stay current on their firearm licensing qualifications.

*Note: In order to work in Las Vegas casinos, there is also a license that must be obtained from the sheriff’s office in compliance with Nevada state law.