Security Guard Training – Texas

You are required in the State of Texas to have a security license to work as a security guard. The Private Security Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (PSB) is responsible for regulating the state’s private security industry. PSB is also the agency that handles the actual licensing for the state’s prospective security guards.

In order to become a security officer in the state of Texas you must do the following:

1. Applicant must be employed or be in the process of being employed by a licensed private security company.
2. The applicant must have High School Diploma or Equivalent.
3. The applicant must be over the age of 18.
4. The applicant must have a U.S. Citizenship or be legally able to work in the U.S.
5. The applicant must have a clear criminal record (background check will be made).
6. The applicant must submit to fingerprinting.
7. The applicant must be drug-free (drug testing required).
8. Applicants must complete 30 hours of Level II security training (Level I training was repealed and no longer exists) at a certified security training provider. (More information on SG TX Training/Testing Information can be found here).

The Level II training program will teach applicants with little or no previous experience the basics of the security industry using the State of Texas required materials. The training includes CPR and first aid, legal and civil issues related to the job, crowd disbursement, crowd detainment and report-writing. Once complete, applicant must submit to PSB an application with a copy of his/her Texas driver’s license, two completed fingerprint cards, a $25.00 FBI fingerprint fee and certifications of meeting training requirements.

You can manually send in your application and all required supplemental documents by mailing your complete application package to the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Private Security Bureau
5806 Guadalupe, Building I
Austin, Texas 78752

or

You can visit the PSB website and apply for your application online (for additional information, please see this licensing FAQ).

Once all forms have been properly submitted, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks to get your individual registration. After that you will be able to obtain employment as a commissioned security officer in the State of Texas.

Your registration expires every 24 months from the date of issue.

*Note: To become an armed security guard, you are required to register and take the Level III course. This training program is a 3 consecutive day – 32 hour weekday course and covers subjects such as Texas Penal Code, conflict resolution, emergency procedures, arrest authority, the use of force, the use of deadly force, basic firearms safety and firearms proficiency.

You are required to qualify with a Handgun and Shotgun during the training. The handgun must be at least a .38 Caliber Revolver or at least a 9 MM Semiautomatic (if you don’t have one or both of the firearms, they may be available to rent at the range). The actual firearm portion of training will take place on a gun range.