Wisconsin Security Guard Permit Information (Guard Card)

Sections

• Overview
• Temporary Permit
• Regular Permit
• Requirements to Become an Unarmed Security Guard
• Firearms Permits
• Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
• Fingerprinting/Background Check
• Convictions

Information	Details
State Agency	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Website	https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/PSP/Default.aspx
Term of License	2-years; Every even year on August 31 (08/31).
Pre-Assignment Training Required?	No. Training is at the discretion of the employer.
Total Training Required	No. Training is at the discretion of the employer.
Online Training Approved?	Yes
Referesher Training Required?	No. Training is at the discretion of the employer.
Separate Firearms Training?	Yes, 36-hours.
Separate Baton Training?	No. Training is at the discretion of the employer.
Separate Pepper Spray Training?	No. Training is at the discretion of the employer.
Average Hourly Wage	$13.77
Average Annual Salary	$28,640

Overview

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An agency must sponsor the security guard applicant. The agency must employ and assume responsibility for the private security applicant pursuant to the Department rules and will notify the Department of any change in employment within 5 days after the change.

All security guard licenses expire if employment is terminated and new employment is not found within a certain amount of time. A reinstatement application may be used to reinstate the license if it expired within 5 years.

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

Temporary Permit

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The Department can issue a temporary permit only if a check of the criminal records at the Department of Justice indicates no criminal history. If your background check is satisfactory, you will be issued a temporary permit, which will expire at the end of 30 days. You are not permitted to carry a firearm under a temporary permit. Upon receipt of a satisfactory state and federal crime record search, the Department will issue you a regular permit.

Temporary permits may not be renewed. If the Department has not received the FBI crimi nal record report by the end of the 30 days, the applicant will not be permitted to act as a private security person until the Department has received a satisfactory report and has issued a regular private security permit.

There is no official training required. Training is left to the discretion of the employer.

Regular Permit

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The Department may issue a regular permit after receiving the results of the state and federal criminal record search. If the search reveals a criminal history, the applicant may be requested to submit further information or a Notice of Denial will be sent, as appropriate.

There is no official training required. Training is left to the discretion of the employer.

Requirements to Become an Unarmed Security Guard

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The applicant must be:

• A citizen or national of the United States
  
  Or,
• A qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States who is eligible to receive this professional license or credential as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996, as codified in 8 U.S.C. §1601 et. Seq. (PRWORA).
• All applicants must submit their fingerprints electronically for a background check.
• No felony convictions in Wisconsin or any other state.

Should the applicant's legal status change during the application process or after a credential is granted, the applicant must report this change to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services immediately.

Firearms Permits

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A Private Security Person may carry a firearm if he or she has completed the 36-hour initial training course and has obtained a Firearms Permit from the Department, except as provided in Wisconsin Administrative Code §SPS 34 subs. (5) to (8). Firearms Permits will not be granted to holders of Temporary Permits.

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

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

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Per Wis. Stat. §440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Private Security Permit credential is 08/31/even years (e.g., 2018, 2020, 2022, 20024). Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.

There is no official refresher training required. Training is left to the discretion of the employer.

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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All applicants must submit their fingerprints electronically for a background check. For any Wisconsin resident or out of state applicant, schedule an appointment with the Department's approved vendor, Fieldprint, by visiting their web site at:
https://www.FieldprintWisconsin.com/

Convictions

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All applicants will be required to answer questions on the application form about convictions of any crime, other violations and pending charges in Wisconsin or any other state. The Department will obtain a state and federal criminal records search on all applicants. If any applicant was ever convicted of a felony in Wisconsin or any other state and not pardoned, the applicant's application will be denied. There are no exceptions.

If an applicant has been convicted of one or more misdemeanor or other violations or has pending charges, and if the Department determines that the crimes or violations are substantially related to the practice of a private detective, the Department will not grant a license until it has received sufficient information to determine whether the license should be granted, denied or limited. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide complete information to the Department. Applications are deemed complete after submission of all relevant background information by the applicant. A certified copy of the police report, criminal complaint, and judgment of conviction is required for each conviction.

If an applicant was EVER convicted of a felony in Wisconsin or any other state and not pardoned, the applicant's application will be denied. There are no exceptions.

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 278, beginning August 1, 2018, prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Department for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record. To apply for a predetermination, please fill out Form #3085 and submit all required documentation specified on the form. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §111.335(4)(e), the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in a refusal, bar, or termination of licensure are published under Additional Resources on the left side of this page.

If you hold one of the credentials listed in Wis. Stat. §440.03(13)(b) and are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in this state or elsewhere, you are required to notify the Department in writing of the date, place and nature of the conviction within 48 hours after the entry of the judgment of conviction. Failure to submit notification could result in disciplinary action against your license.

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