State Requirements for Guard Card
and Security Officers

The state of New Jersey requires anyone seeking employment in the security sector as a licensed armed security guard must successfully complete all the required steps prior to having a license issued under the New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit and the Security Officer Registration Act, N.J.S.A. US: 19A-1 to 45:19A-12. In order to be issued an armed security license in the state all requirements; both personal and training must be completed prior to being issued a permanent license in the state.

The first of the requirements is that applicants must be at least 18 years of age when applying for their New Jersey armed security guard license. The applicant obtaining a New Jersey armed security license will be required to renew it every two years as long as they are employed in the security sector. The New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit will issue the permanent armed security guard license within 90 days from the date the applicant applied and is employed as an armed security guard. New Jersey requires that applicants take eight hours of certified training each year to keep their security license current and able to be renewed. The other requirements are:

• Applicants must submit to fingerprinting
• There will be a criminal history background check conducted
• The applicant will submit a valid photo ID that includes a valid expiration date.
• The applicant must attend a twenty-four hour course at a certified training facility

The Security Officer Registration Act requires holding an armed security guard license and this includes 24 hours of education at a New Jersey state certified training center. This training prepares the applicant to work in different industries, which can include interaction with police departments, fire departments and other official agencies.  The education training will include:

• Ethics
• Report writing
• First aid training
• Prevention and deterrence
• New Jersey critical infrastructure awareness
• Terrorism awareness
• Use of force policy according to New Jersey Attorney General
• Firearms training, marksmanship and target training

The armed security guard will also train in firearms for forty-seven hours; this training will include seven hours of education on the use of force. The applicant will qualify during weapons training at the range to obtain the New Jersey armed security guard license. Weapon training will include teaching the applicant use of force methods and detention of criminals.

The required training prepares the applicant to handle situations that can arise when working in the security sector. The armed security guard in New Jersey will find their function is to deter or defuse situations while dealing with the public in a safe manner. The armed security guard will find employment in several industries including:

• The banking and finance industry
• Museums
• Art galleries
• Retail stores and malls
• Apartments and hotels
• Government buildings and properties
• Industrial and nuclear plants
• Private security
• Armored vehicles
• Airports

The New Jersey armed security guard will find employment in other industries that require the protection of the armed guard, which can include schools, colleges and private industries.