Utah Globe

Utah Private Security Officer License Information (Guard Card)

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Information Details
State Agency Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Website https://dopl.utah.gov/sec/
Term of License 2-years.
Pre-Assignment Training Required? Yes. 8-hours.
Total Training Required At the employer's discretion.
Online Training Approved? Yes.
Referesher Training Required? Yes. 32-hours.
Separate Firearms Training? Yes. 12-hours.
Separate Baton Training? At the employer's discretion.
Separate Pepper Spray Training? At the employer's discretion.
Average Hourly Wage $16.28
Average Annual Salary $33,870
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Requirements to Become a Private Security Officer

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The applicant must:

  • be at least 18-years old.
  • be of good moral character
  • not have been convicted of a felony;
  • not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or
  • not have been convicted of a crime that when considered with the duties and responsibilities of an armed private security officer by the division and the board indicates that the best interests of the public are not served by granting the applicant a license;
  • not be prohibited from possession of a firearm or ammunition under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g);
  • not have been declared incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction by reason of mental defect or disease and not been restored;
  • not be currently suffering from habitual drunkenness or from drug addiction or dependence;

Security Guard License (Unarmed Private Security Officer)

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There are no required exams to be licensed as an unarmed private security officer in Utah. However, an 8-hours pre-assignment training course is required.

  • NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Arkansas, not the trainer.

Firearms Permits (Armed Private Security Officer)

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A 12-hours firearms course is required to be licensed as an Armed Private Security Officer.

An armed private security officer must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submitting an application for licensure.

An armed private security officer shall carry only that firearm with which the officer has passed an approved basic firearms training program.

Shotguns and rifles owned and issued by the contract security company, may be used in situations where they would constitute an appropriate defense for the armed private security officer, if the officer has successfully completed an approved basic firearms training program in their use.

An armed private security officer shall not carry a firearm except when acting on official duty as an employee of a contract security company, unless the licensee is otherwise qualified under the laws of the state to carry a firearm.

  • NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

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Armed and unarmed private security officers shall complete at least 32 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. A minimum of 16 hours shall be core continuing education; the remaining hours may consist of professional continuing education or core continuing education.

License expires on September 30 of even years. For example, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024.

At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of a license, DOPL will mail a renewal notice to the licensee's address of record as provided to DOPL by the individual licensee.

In addition to the 32 hours of core/professional continuing education, an armed private security officer shall complete at least 16 hours of continuing firearms education and training during each two-year renewal cycle (4-hours, every 6-months).

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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If you are unable to be fingerprinted at the DOPL office, you may be fingerprinted at any law enforcement agency (police department/sheriff's office) and mail them to DOPL.

If the criminal background check discloses a criminal background, the Division shall evaluate the criminal history in accordance with Sections 58-63-302 and R156-63a-302f to determine appropriate licensure action.

Disqualifications

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The following criminal convictions may disqualify an applicant or licensee from obtaining or holding an unarmed private security officer license, an armed private security officer license, or a contract security company license:

  • crimes against a person as defined in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 1;
  • theft, including retail theft, as defined in Title 76;
  • larceny;
  • sex offenses as defined in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4;
  • any offense involving a controlled substance as defined in Subsection 58-37-2(1)(f);
  • fraud;
  • extortion;
  • treason;
  • forgery;
  • arson;
  • kidnapping;
  • perjury;
  • conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed herein;
  • hijacking;
  • burglary;
  • escape from jail, prison, or custody;
  • false or bogus checks;
  • terrorist activities;
  • desertion;
  • pornography;
  • two or more convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol within the last three years; and
  • any attempt to commit any of the above offenses.

Information provided on this site is for educational purposes. It is not legal advice.