Become a NYS Security Guard
with Guardian Security Training on Long Island
How Do I Become a Registered Security Guard in New York?
In order to become a security guard in New York State, you must complete certain training prerequisites before you can receive your security guard registration and begin employment for the following:
- New York State Security Officers
- Armed Security Guards
- Unarmed Security Guards
Do I Need to Take the NYS Security Guard Training Courses?
If you are currently serving or retired law enforcement, or you are a veteran, you may be eligible for a waiver from certain security training requirements. Use the questionnaire below to see your eligibility:
Have you ever received New York State law enforcement training?
Yes
No
Are you a veteran from the US Military?
No
Are you currently serving as a Police Officer?
Yes
No
Are you a Former Police Officer?
Yes, retired/resigned less than 10 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 10 years ago
No
Are you a Current or Former Corrections Officer?
Yes, I am currently serving
Yes, retired/resigned less than 10 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 10 years ago
No
Are you a Current or Former Bridge and Tunnel Officer, Sergeant or Lieutenant of the TBTA?
Yes, I am currently serving
Yes, retired/resigned less than 10 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 10 years ago
No
Are you a Current or Former Court Officer or Clerk of the Unified Court System?
Yes, I am currently serving
Yes, retired/resigned less than 10 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 10 years ago
No
Are you a Current or Former Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Deputy Sheriff for the NYC Sheriff’s Office?
Yes, I am currently serving
Yes, retired/resigned less than 10 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 10 years ago
No
Are you a Current or Former Full Time Peace Officer?
Yes, I am currently serving
Yes, retired/resigned less than 4 years ago
Yes, retired/resigned more than 4 years ago
No
Unfortunately, based on the information you provided us, you are not eligible for any exemptions or waivers from the NYS security guard training courses. See the timeline below of what course requirements you need to take.
Congratulations! Based on the your answer that you are a currently serving LEO, you are are exempt from all security guard training and licensing requirements at this time.
However, if you decide to wait to pursue your armed security guard registration within 10 years of separation, you will need to take the 8 Hour Annual Firearms Training for Armed Guards.
Congratulations! Based on the your answer that you are a currently serving peace officer, you are eligible for a waiver of training through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (form). You will still need to complete the 8 Hour ANNUAL In-Service Security Training Course every calendar year you hold your guard registration.
If you are pursuing an armed guard registration, you may utilize the Annual Peace Officer In-Service Training to fulfill the required annual firearms training for armed guards.
Congratulations! Based on the your answer that you are a former peace officer who separated within the last 4 years, you are eligible for a waiver of training through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (form). You will still need to complete the 8 Hour ANNUAL In-Service Security Training Course every calendar year you hold your guard registration.
If you are pursuing an armed guard registration, you will need to complete the 8 Hour Annual Firearms Training for Armed Guards before applying for the registration and annually. You will also need a valid NYS pistol permit to be able to take the annual firearms course. Need pistol permit assistance?
Congratulations! Based on the information you provided us, you are eligible for exemptions for the following security training courses:
8 Hour Pre-Assignment Security Training Course
16 Hour On-The-Job Security Training Course
47 Hour Firearms Training Course
8 Hour ANNUAL In-Service Security Training Course
If you are pursuing an armed guard registration, you will need to complete the 8 Hour Annual Firearms Training for Armed Guards before applying for the registration and annually. You will also need a valid NYS pistol permit to be able to take the annual firearms course. Need pistol permit assistance?
Congratulations! Based on the information you provided us, you are eligible for exemptions for the following security training courses:
8 Hour Pre-Assignment Security Training Course
16 Hour On-The-Job Security Training Course
47 Hour Firearms Training Course
If you are applying to become an unarmed security guard, you must complete the 8 Hour ANNUAL In-Service Security Training Course before you can apply for the guard registration card and annually.
If you are pursuing an armed guard registration, you will need to complete the 8 Hour Annual Firearms Training for Armed Guards before applying for the special registration and annually. You will also need a valid NYS pistol permit to be able to take the annual firearms course. Need pistol permit assistance?
What Training Do I Need to Become a Security Guard?
To Become a New York Registered Unarmed Security Guard, You Must Complete the Following NYS Certified Security Training Courses
8 Hour Pre-Assignment Security Training
16 Hour On-The-Job Security Training
This course must be completed within 90 days of beginning employment as a security guard. The 16-Hour On-The-Job Training course is broken down into two 8-hour classes over the course of two days. Both days MUST be completed in order to receive a certificate of completion.
8 Hour Annual In-Service Security Training
Once employed in security, New York State requires that security guards must complete the Annual In-Service Training Course every calendar year as part of their training requirements and prerequisite for guard registration renewal. Participants must bring their NYS Security Registration to class.
To Become a New York State Registered Armed Security Guard, You Must Additionally Complete the Following Requirements:
NYS Pistol Permit
47 Hour Firearms Training
This course must be completed before you can apply for an armed guard registration or upgrade to your unarmed registration. The 47 Hour Firearms Training includes classroom instruction, as well as practice and examination at the gun range. Ammunition is not included, you must separately purchase 600 rounds of ammo (15 boxes of 50 rounds). This course is typically broken down into 6 or 8 day sessions, that can vary between weekends, weeknights, and/or weekdays.
8 Hour ANNUAL Firearms Training
What do I need to apply for a NYS Security Guard Registration?
To submit an unarmed guard application to the Department of State, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have not been convicted of a serious criminal offense
- Be a citizen or resident alien of the United States
- Have completed the 8 Hour Pre-Assignment Training Course
- Get fingerprinted through IdentoGO — see below for more information
- $36 fee made payable to the NYS Department of State
To apply for armed guard registration, you must:
- Have completed the 47 Hour Firearms Training Course for Armed Guards
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have not been convicted of a serious criminal offense
- Be a citizen or resident alien of the United States
- Get fingerprinted through IdentoGO — see below for more information
- $36 fee made payable to the NYS Department of State
If you want to upgrade your registration from an unarmed security guard to armed security guard, you must:
- Have completed the 47 Hour Firearms Training Course for Armed Guards
- Send your current security guard ID card with your application
- $25 fee by check, money order, Mastercard, or Visa, made payable to the NYS Department of State
Fingerprinting Information
All NYS Security Guard applicants must be fingerprinted by the Department of State, even if you have been fingerprinted before for New York State.
Fingerprinting must be completed through an IdentoGO vendor. You must contact IdentoGO to make an appointment by calling 1-877-472-6915 or book an appointment online. You must use service code 1545R1 to make the appointment and ensure your fingerprinting information goes to the correct department.
Once you complete your fingerprinting, attach a copy of your receipt to your security guard application as a form of proof to New York State that you completed this requirement.
Locations:
(Walk-ins are NOT accepted. An appointment must be made through IdentoGO)
Suffolk County
| Kings Park |
Shipping Center-PrintScan 21 Pulaski Road Kings Park Kings Park, NY 11754 |
Monday & Friday 9AM-5PM Tuesday & Thursday 9AM-6PM Saturday 10AM-4PM |
| East Moriches |
IGHL 60 Montauk Highway East Moriches, NY 11940 |
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 9AM-12PM, 1PM-4PM |
| Riverhead |
Comfort Keepers 31 Main Road, Suite 9 Riverhead, NY 11901 |
Monday 2PM-4PM Tues, Wed, Thurs: 10AM-1PM, 2PM-5PM Friday 10AM-1PM, 2PM-4PM |
| Sag Harbor |
East End Consulting 3330 Noyac Road Building D Sag Harbor, NY 11963-1931 |
Monday 11:30AM-3:30PM |
Nassau County
| Hicksville |
PrintScan Quality Plaza 958 South Broadway Hicksville, NY 11801 |
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 9AM-5PM Wednesday 9AM-6PM Saturday 10AM-4PM |
| Hempstead |
236 Fulton Avenue Suite 200 Hempstead, NY 11550 |
Monday-Friday 9AM-1PM, 1:30PM-5:30PM Every Other Saturday 9AM-2PM |
Queens
| Woodside |
3905 63rd Street Woodside, NY 11377 |
Monday-Thursday 9AM-7PM Friday 9AM-9PM Saturday 10AM-7PM |
Brooklyn
| Flatbush |
Metropolitan Special Services 1772 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 |
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 8:30AM-6PM Tuesday & Thursday 8:30AM-8PM Every Other Saturday 10AM-6PM |
| Fulton Street |
2174 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11233 |
Monday-Thursday 9AM-6PM Friday 9AM-7PM |
| Barclays Center |
Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217-2004 |
Monday-Friday 9AM-1PM, 1:30PM-5:30PM |
Manhattan
| Park Place |
Global Document Expediters 22 Park Place, 4th Floor New York, NY 10007 |
Monday 9AM-6PM Tuesday & Friday 9AM-5PM Wednesday 9AM-7PM Thursday 9AM-5:30PM 3rd Saturdays 9AM-1PM |
| Midtown- 35th Street |
247 West 35th Street Room 201 New York, NY 10001-1927 |
Monday-Friday 9AM-5:30PM Saturday 10AM-4PM |
| Times Square-Broadway |
Securitas 1412 Broadway 17th Floor New York, NY 10018 |
Monday-Friday: 9AM-1PM, 2PM-4PM |
Bronx
| South Bronx |
Rio Consulting 349 East 149th Street Suite 605 Bronx, NY 10451 |
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9AM-5PM Wednesday 9AM-6PM Friday 9AM-1PM, 2PM-5PM Every Other Saturday 10AM-2PM |
| Morris Park |
2114 Wiliamsbridge Road Suite 114 Lower Level Bronx, NY 10461 |
Monday-Friday 9:30AM-6PM Saturday 10AM-3PM |
