GuardlanternNew York security guard requirements
To work as a security guard in New York, a person must be registered with the NYS Department of State and complete training at a school approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services: 8 hours before applying, 16 hours on the job within 90 days of starting, and 8 hours of in-service every year. Armed guards also need a pistol license, a 47-hour firearms course and 8 hours of firearms training every year.
Who regulates security guards in New York
The Department of State, Division of Licensing Services registers guards under the Security Guard Act (General Business Law Article 7-A). The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) approves the training schools and courses. Section 89-g requires every person doing security guard work to be registered and trained, unless exempt.
Registration
- Eligibility: at least 18 years old, fingerprinted, and no conviction for a serious offense.
- Application: form DOS-1206 with the 8-hour pre-assignment certificate, a DMV consent form and a fingerprint receipt.
- Fees: $36 to the Department of State, plus $102.50 to IDEMIA for fingerprints.
- Term: two years. Renewal costs $25, and the state mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration.
- Expiration: a guard cannot work past the expiration date without renewing.
Required training for unarmed guards
| Course | Hours | When |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-assignment training | 8 | Before applying; the certificate goes with the application |
| On-the-job training (OJT) | 16 | Within 90 days of starting work as a guard |
| Annual in-service training | 8 | Every calendar year the guard is registered (two per two-year term) |
Armed guards
- All of the unarmed requirements above.
- A valid NYS pistol license and the 47-hour firearms training course before applying for the Special Armed Guard Registration.
- An 8-hour annual firearms course every calendar year, in addition to the 8-hour in-service.
What the employer must do
- Complete the Notice of Employment section when the guard's employment begins as the application is filed (no extra fee).
- File a Security Guard Employment Status Notification ($25) when hiring a guard who is already registered.
- Keep copies of the temporary ID card, employment notifications, application documents and training certificates, and collect the temporary ID card when employment ends.
The company's own license
A company that provides guards needs a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency license. The qualifying principal must be at least 25, pass the exam within two years before applying, have two years of qualifying experience, be fingerprinted and carry a $10,000 surety bond. A company that employs guards must also carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate. The application fee is $300 and the license lasts two years.
Exemptions
Active police officers working a second job, retired police officers with a letter from their department (armed retirees need proof of firearms training within one year), certain peace officers under GBL section 89-n(4), and federally regulated guards and volunteers.
How Guardlantern tracks this
Each officer's registration expiration, the OJT deadline (hire date plus 90 days), in-service completion per calendar year and annual firearms training are tracked automatically. An expired registration or an overdue OJT blocks the officer from being scheduled or clocking in; the in-service and firearms courses raise warnings. Company documents (agency license, bond and insurance) are kept with their expiration dates.
Sources
- NYS DOS: Security guard training requirements
- NYS DOS: Become a security guard
- NYS DOS: Security guard FAQ
- NYS DOS: Watch, guard or patrol agency
- NYS DCJS: Security guard training
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