The Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Bureau regulates the private security profession in Texas. DPS protects the public by conducting fingerprint-based background checks on applicants, investigating and resolving complaints, and taking disciplinary action against licensees or seeking criminal prosecution of those who perform private security services without a license. So yes, being a licensed security officer in Texas requires training and certification.
In Texas, the private security profession includes armed and unarmed security guards, personal protection officers, private investigators, alarm systems installers and monitors, armored car couriers, electronic access control device installers, and locksmiths. DPS regulates the private security profession under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702, and the related administrative rules. All these jobs require applicants to register with Texas DPS and be licensed. The Private Security Bureau (PSB) of the DPS handles all applications and renewals.
To earn an unarmed (non-commissioned) security guard license applicants must complete the Level II Non-Commissioned Officer Training Course and Test and present a signed Level II training certificate from a DPS-approved training provider. To earn an armed (commissioned) license, applicants must complete the Level II and Level III Commissioned Officer Training Courses and Tests and present both Level II and Level III signed training certificates from a DPS-approved training provider. Texas DPS refers to these licenses as a “Pocket Card” and it must be carried by officers at all times while on duty.
Please note the training must be taken at a Texas DPS-certified school and taught by a licensed instructor or the course will not count towards the state’s mandatory training requirement. Visit the Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) website to find a list of approved providers in your zip code.
Further, you must first be employed or be in the process of being hired by a licensed Private Security Company before you can apply to the PSB. You cannot apply on your own; you must have the security company that is hiring you submit or “sponsor” your application. Fortunately, Texas private security firms are quite experienced in the new hire process and will make sure you have all the proper documents, training certificates, fingerprints, and fees necessary to submit your application package to the DPS PSB. The application fee is $38.
Once your new company has submitted an application on your behalf for a Non-commissioned Officer license, it should arrive in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. However, you may work as a Non- commissioned Security Officer during the time you are waiting for your license to arrive.
Texas Unarmed Security Guard Eligibility Requirements
Prior to investing in a Texas DSP-approved Level II Non-commissioned Officer Training Course, make sure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements to work as an unarmed security officer in Texas:
- Be at least 18 years of age (21 for armed guards)
- Be a US citizen or present valid right to work paperwork
- Possess good moral character and general fitness
The following factors may disqualify you from working as a security guard in Texas:
- Dishonorable military discharge
- Any felony charge or a Class A or B misdemeanor on your record (If you are not sure if past offenses rise to the level of disqualification, seek legal advice about having your record expunged before beginning the application process)
- Being registered as a sex offender in any state
- Habitual drug use or alcohol dependence (drug testing may be performed)
- Being found mentally incompetent in the view of a court
Provided you meet these basic requirements, your next steps should be applying for open security guard positions and completing the mandatory Level II Non-commissioned Officer Training Course and Test. You do not need to have a job offer to begin the training. In fact, appearing for job interviews with a training certificate in hand will give you an edge over applicants who have yet to complete the training.
Once you have received an offer of employment you will need to submit a set of fingerprints ($25 fee, processed through IdentiGO) with your application and pass an FBI criminal history/background check to get your Pocket Card.
Texas Unarmed Security Guard Training
Level II Training is considered the “first step” of security guard training in Texas and stipulates just four total hours of instruction, so completing the training can be done in as little as one day. The Texas DPS PSB determines the length and content. Level II Training covers basic security principles, legal aspects, and observation and report writing. More intense training is conducted for Level III and Level IV certificates.
However, Level II is the only course that is approved for online consumption. All other training must be delivered via live classroom instruction. Online training offers several advantages for learners including cost, convenience, and flexibility.
Defencify is an approved Texas Level II Online Training Provider
Defencify is a DPS DSB-approved provider of Level II unarmed security guard training in Texas. With Defencify, aspiring security guards don't have wait to get hired to begin training. Our affordable, mobile-optimized web-based courses allow applicants to enroll in a few clicks and start the training immediately. Complete the training at your own pace, on your own device, and at the time and place of your choosing. Don't get dressed, drive to class, or worry about babysitters; take the training from the comfort of your home. Start, stop, and repeat modules as many times as needed to absorb the information.
Defencify’s self-paced, online 4-hour Texas Level II Non-Commissioned License Training is guaranteed to satisfy DPS training requirements. The course was created by Defencify instructional designers working with Texas DPS personnel to ensure the training covers the topics as mandated by the State and meets or exceeds the minimum time requirements. It is designed using modern eLearning technologies and adult learning concepts tied to interactive lessons, scenarios, and games to make the training engaging and fun.
The class is broken into six modules. Each one concludes with a five-question quiz to see if learners understand the concepts as presented. The six modules are:
- History, Statutes and Definitions
- The Role of Private Security in Today's Society
- Documentation and Report Writing
- The Proper Use of Force in Conflict Resolution
- The Power to Arrest and Detain
- Crisis Intervention and Emergency Response.
At the conclusion of the training students take a mandatory fifty-question final exam. A minimum 75% score is required for successful course completion. Upon passing, a signed certificate of completion will be emailed to you for inclusion in your application package to the Texas DPS DSB.
Are you looking for a fresh start with a career in security? Visit defencifytraining.com to learn more about how easy it is to earn your Texas Pocket Card with Defencify.
For Texas security guard firms seeking affordable online training options for their entire workforce, sign up for a free trial of Defencify’s courseware offerings to see how Defencify can get new hires into the field faster.
