Armed Security Guard Training Requirements in North Carolina

In North Carolina, armed security guards must be licensed and certified to carry firearms. All licenses are issued through the North Carolina Department of Justice. The state requires that each applicant must possess the necessary qualifications, and meet the standards as stated in the Private Protective Services North Carolina General Assembly law 74-C. For armed guards, training will be much rigid and extensive, given that the position is risky.

Listed below are the basic requirements to be met.   

• Applicants for unarmed security guard position must be 21 years of age or older. 
• He or she must have a working permit as a citizen or a registered alien in the U.S. 
• He or she must not be found with any records of crime involving illegal use and possession of firearms and other felony convictions. 
• Applicants must have a good moral character. 
• Applicants must not be involved in any illegal activity such as distribution, sale and possession of drugs, and controlled substances. 
• Applicants must not have a history of drug and alcohol addiction. 
• He or she must be in good physical condition. 
• He or she must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the state of North Carolina. 
• Applicants must have no prior revocation of license. 

Application Information 

2 sets of fingerprints must be submitted to the department for investigation purposes. The applicant must also provide a certified copy of criminal history for the last 48 months, which should be affixed to his or her application including two recent 1x1 passport type photo for identification. The company or hiring agency must be licensed, or the applicant should be employed under a licensed security patrol officer. 

The state requires mandatory fees such as: 

• $30 for application 
• $68 for registration 
• $38 for fingerprint processing 

Security Guard Training Course 

All applicants must complete 16 hours of security guard training, which covers classroom instruction on the following matters: 

• Security officer in North Carolina (1 hr) 
• Legal issues(3 hrs) 
• Response to emergencies (3 hrs) 
• Communications (2 hrs) 
• Patrol procedures and observation (3 hrs) 
• Writing reports and taking notes(3 hrs) 
• Deportment (1 hr) 

An additional 4 hours training on the following subjects are also required for armed guard applicants.

These will equip them to be most effective in their field of work. 

• Authority and power on the use of handguns 
• Handgun maintenance and safety 
• Legal limitations on the use of handguns 
• Handgun range firing procedures 

To have a state certification, armed guards must be able to pass firearms training examination with a score of at least 80 percent, to qualify. Issued license will be valid for a year and armed guards must take an 8-hour continuing education course to keep their credentials validated. 

Sources:

http://ncrules.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2012%20-%20justice/chapter%2007%20-%20private%20protective%20services/subchapter%20d/12%20ncac%2007d%20.0807.pdf   

http://www.pssprotection.com/employment/employment.html