What Type of Training do You Need to Complete to Become a Security Guard? - Secure Guard

• October 24, 2021
• By ahmad hamidi

If you are curious over the different types of security guard trainings, then reading below will give you a good idea of what a security guard has to go through before they can achieve their licensing. Security guards and security officers go through a range of different trainings that range from basic training to occupational training.

Essential Information

Ultimately, securities guards help ensure the safety of property, residents, and workers. They need to have the skills to monitor and patrol a wide variety of settings. These can include banks, shopping malls, concerts and other venues.

Each of these locations carries a different set of challenges. States will usually introduce regulations over the amount of training that security guards require.  It is therefore, important for all individuals that are drawn to the security guard profession to have the capacity to deal with stressful situations.

Security Guard Training Programs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS mandates that most security guard agencies should hire security guards that have sufficient job training. Nonetheless, since most states only issue security guard services if they have proper licensing, formal training programs of vocational institutes are now a standard method of training for all security guards.

Each state comes involves different set of requirements and they all carry considerably according to the type and amount of training that the job requires. This ultimately means that professional of different states can go through training programs that vastly differs from each other. Other requirement pertaining to training also varies by states, involving the completion time of the training.

Topics Covered

The topics that security guards usually have to cover in their training include investigations, basic security techniques, report writing, firearm use, patrolling tactics, and emergency procedures. Workers that wish to specialize in a particular type of security management need to take extra courses so that they can develop the necessary skills that make them highly capable for the particular job.

Specialized security management involves private security, airport security, narcotics department, driving armored car, or being an armed escort. These security services posses a different set of challenges and therefore, security guards need to have the skills that help them tackle these challenges with high efficiency.

Continued Education

Most states require security guards to make timely renewals to their licenses and certifications. This requires workers to partake in a security class as form of education. This continued education is incredibly important for a security guards license renewal process. Some states host pre-structures classes, while others states allow security guards to choose from individual classes. These classes divide focus between armed or unarmed security training.

Job Requirements

Most states require security officers to be 18 or above in age. Education requirements can vary according to different states, but most security services ask for a minimum of a high school diploma. Along with that, applicants must also clear criminal background checks, and be fingerprinted. Some states will also have stringent requirements over physical requirements before employment.

Qualifying for the Licensing

Nearly all states require security officers to complete the licensing process. Qualifying for the licenses requires applicants to first complete the mandatory training programs. Licensing also requires applicants to participate in written tests that cover various topics.

These topics can range from crime prevention, evidence handling, and emergency procedures. Paired with written tests, applicants also have to go through practical skills test. This test determines a security guards ability to safely handle an armed weapon.

Qualities that You Must Have to Become Security

A good security guard must be punctual and always on time. Moreover, they should also have the skills, experience and training so that they can approach their on-sight tasks with confidence. They should also have superior communication skills. Even though this skill is one that every security guard gets an overview of, they should still practice and polish their communication skills.

Moreover, a big part of security guard training revolves around deescalating any tense or high risk situation. This is where communication skills come in handy, along with a security guards ability to make the right decisions.

To Conclude

As you can see, the training method required to become a security guard can vary depending on the state. Nonetheless, all of them revolve around building the core qualities that are crucial for security guards to possess. This includes decision making, communication, physical prowess, and legal knowledge.