Washington D.C. Security Guard Training and Certification

If you are looking to become a security guard in the capital city of this country, there are many job opportunities available and the prospect for continued need for security guards in Washington D.C. is good. In Washington D.C. a security officer needs to have an individual license in order to work security. These can be obtained through the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs. Part of the process in Washington D.C. requires perspective security guards to go through Pearson Vue for an exam. The overall process for becoming a security guard in Washington D.C. is rather lengthy, but we will explain the step by step process.

Most people who apply for security guard certification in Washington D.C. have already been hired by a security company. A person can apply in person at security companies, or check job postings online. In order to be eligible for hire, security guards have to be US citizens or legally able to work in US, and they need to be 18. Security guards in Washington D.C. must also have a clean criminal background check, fingerprinting through the FBI is part of the application process. All of these steps are in place to ensure that trustworthy individuals are working security posts.

Security guard training in Washington D.C. consists of 24 hours of class work, and 16 hours of on the job training. These need to be completed prior to sitting for the Washington D.C. security guard exam. The exam needs to be registered for through Pearson Vue: pearsonvue.com/dc/security. The fees associated with this process are as follows: $103 to Pearson Vue for the application and license fee, and $35 to the D.C. treasurer for the criminal history report. The 24 hours of security guard training should be done prior to beginning work, however the additional 16 just need to be completed within 90 days of beginning employment.

Individual Security Guard licenses in Washington D.C. are valid for 2 years, at which point they need to be renewed. The fees at the time of renewal are $103 to Pearson Vue. If the license has already expired, a $50 late fee is tacked on to the original cost. For more information, visit: mpdc.dc.gov or contact the Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB):

Security Officers Management Branch
2000 14th Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: (202) 671-0500
Fax: (202) 673-7418

As far as security guard training classes that are required in Washington D.C., there are many academies and schools within the city which offer the preparation needed to become a security guard. The academies have classes designed to teach the basic requirements of security guards in Washington D.C. and prepare their students for passing the exam which is required by D.C. in order to become a licensed security guard. The minimum requirement for class hours in D.C. are 24 hours or course work. Once these are met, and person receives certification they can take the test. A person will also need to complete 16 hours of on the job training within 90 days of being hired by a security company in Washington D.C.

Becoming an Armed Security Guard in Washington D.C.

In order to become an armed security guard in Washington D.C. a person needs to undergo all the training a process needed for an unarmed guard, and then in addition needs to take additional training under a Washington D.C. licensed firearms trainer. The additional hours are designed to train a person how to handle their weapon, teach firearms safety, and inform about laws regarding possession and use of firearms on the job. This is all very serious content. Washington D.C. has a number of training facilities which offer armed security guard training, firearms classes, and time at a firing range. All of these are required of a person in order to obtain a permit to carry a firearm.

Washington D.C. armed guards are paid higher than unarmed guards, this is one reason why people opt to pursue armed guard training. Keep in mind that there are additional requirements for people wishing to work as armed guards in Washington D.C. Drug testing is a standard requirement for those wishing to work armed security. A physical from a Dr. is another item that is required. Also, armed guards in Washington D.C. need to have first reached the age of 21 before they are eligible for training and permits.

Again, for Washington D.C. a person usually is first hired by a security company and then completes the application process through the Metropolitan police department Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB). The processing of the applications in Washington D.C. is handled by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, although either department can field questions regarding the process. The website states that they are moving towards online filing and processing of the applications and renewal process. This will speed up the process in the future for applicants and already licensed security guards in Washington D.C.

If you came here looking for information on becoming a security guard in Washington State, not Washington DC, see this page.