The Utah security guard licensing process ha no residency requirements; only the owner or “qualifying agent” of the security company is required to prove residency and pass a state exam. Beyond that, is it incumbent on the business to make sure their employees meet Utah state requirements for training and licensing as unarmed or armed security guards.
Candidates must be 18 years old to apply to be an unarmed security officer in the state of Utah. A valid US state/territory identification card is required to submit an application to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Candidates applying for an Unarmed Private Security Officer License must complete a DOPL-approved 8-hour basic training course, pass the examination at the conclusion of the course, and submit a certified course completion certificate.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and present a valid US state driver license to apply for an Armed Private Security Officer License. In addition to completing a DOPL-approved 8-hour basic officer training course and exam, candidates must also attend a DOPL-approved 12-hour firearms training course and present proof of completion.
Submission of an application form with proof of training is accompanied by fingerprinting. Your fingerprints will be processed by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for a review of your criminal record.
The Utah DOPL offers about 60 categories of licensure, and many do NOT automatically disqualify an applicant based on their criminal history. However, some offenses may result in the DOPL denying a license. It is the DOPL’s job to carefully review crimes that may “substantially” relate to an individual's ability to practice their occupation safely or competently as a security guard.
So, it is a good idea to review your criminal record (if you have one), contact an attorney, and attempt to have your record expunged before pursuing your license. Not sure if an event in your past rises to the level of disqualifying your application?
The Utah DOPL Criminal History Guidelines Page shows a complete matrix of charges against common disciplinary decisions and has a full Q&A page linked as well.
In addition to passing state and federal background checks, other dis-qualifiers include:
In Utah, licenses for both unarmed and armed security guards are valid for two years. The date of expiration will be printed on the license. At least 60 days prior to the expiration date, DOPL will email a renewal notice to the licensee's email address of record as provided to DOPL by the individual licensee. The renewal fee is $42 for an armed or unarmed security officer license.
Along with submitting an application for renewal, each unarmed security officer must show proof of completion of 32 hours of continuing education since their license was issued. Armed security officers must also complete a minimum of 4 hours of firearms training every six months, for a total of 16 hours during the two-year cycle.
Defencify is one of the Utah DOPL-approved training providers for unarmed security guard basic training (eight-plus hours) for initial licensure, as well as continuing education (32 hours) for license renewal.
Defencify’s self-paced, online unarmed security officer training programs are guaranteed to satisfy Utah’s security guard licensing requirements. Defencify courseware is created by instructional designers working together with Utah DOPL authorities to ensure the training covers the necessary information. Upon successful completion and passing of the final exam, students download a Utah-approved certificate of completion to be used as proof of education when applying for a Utah state guard license.
The Utah Basic Security Training course contains training totaling more than the minimum eight hours required by the state on topics including the rights and responsibilities of a security guard, report writing, and the use of force.
The Utah Guard License Renewal Bundle provides the required 32 hours of qualified continuing education (16 hours of “Core” and 16 hours of “Professional” education) to renew a guard license. Advanced subjects range from Ethics & Sexual Harassment to De-escalation Procedures, Power to Arrest, Domestic Terrorism Awareness, and more.
Defencify courses are created using modern eLearning technologies and adult learning theory techniques to make training fun and memorable. Modules incorporate games and interactive scenarios with built-in knowledge checks to reinforce learning points. Students can take Defencify courses at any time, at any place, on any device, and repeat modules as many times as necessary to grasp the concepts presented. Defencify makes becoming an unarmed security guard or renewing your Guard Card in Utah easy.
Individuals wanting to become an unarmed security guard in Utah should visit defencifytraining.com to learn more about registering for the training you need to get a Guard Card.
Security guard firms seeking affordable online training for new applicants and renewals guaranteed to maintain certification as unarmed security guards in Utah can sign up for a free trial of Defencify’s courseware offerings to see how Defencify can get your new hires into the field faster.
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