How to get an Unarmed Security Officer/Courier license in Virginia

Virginia security guard licenses

Virginia issues 4 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Virginia security guard licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Fees

How to apply

Apply online

lotus.dcjs.virginia.gov⁴⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 24 months²³

Renew online

lotus.dcjs.virginia.gov⁶⁵

2. Every license level except Private Security Services Business License

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁶

Exam

Written comprehensive examination at the end of course 01E (given by the certified training school)²
Given by: DCJS-certified private security training school (no state exam vendor)¹

Background check

Background check required²
Fingerprints required²
Any felony, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, assault and battery, property damage, controlled substances, prohibited sexual behavior or firearms, bars registration unless the DCJS Director grants a written waiver (decision within 30 days of the written request). Applicants with convictions or protective orders file a Criminal History Supplemental Form with certified court records.¹

Residency or citizenship

United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Apply online through the DCJS licensing portal and pay the non-refundable fees; the online application includes the criminal history processing form, billed separately on the invoice.⁶⁷⁸ lotus.dcjs.virginia.gov⁴
2. Book a fingerprint appointment with Fieldprint (fieldprintvirginia.com or 877-614-4364); DCJS is notified automatically.⁶⁷⁸
3. If you have any felony or non-traffic misdemeanor conviction (including court martial) or are under a protective order, submit the Criminal History Supplemental Form with certified court records.⁶⁷⁸

Renewal

When it expires

Registration issued for up to 24 months; renewal applications should reach DCJS at least 30 days before expiration.²

Renewal fee

$20² (Registration renewal)

Exemptions

Credit for comparable third-party in-service training completed within the 24 months before expiration may be approved on application ($25 evaluation fee).²

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Former law-enforcement officers (including U.S. armed forces units) with five continuous years of service may receive a partial entry-level training exemption; military or foreign service is one of the grounds for a renewal extension.¹

3. Unarmed Security Officer/Courier and Security Canine Handler

Renewal

If it expires

A registration not renewed by its expiration date is void; it can be reinstated only if the renewal application and requirements reach DCJS within 60 days after expiration, with the reinstatement fee. Working during the reinstatement period is unlawful.²
More than 60 days after expiration, the person must meet all initial requirements again, including entry-level training.²
Renewal extensions (up to 12 months total) are allowed only for extended illness or injury, military or foreign service, or emergency temporary assignment; the person is non-operational during the extension.²

4. Unarmed Security Officer/Courier and Armed Security Officer (registration with firearms endorsement)

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 4 hours each renewal period²

Approved courses

In-service training is taken at a DCJS-certified private security training school, which reports the roster to DCJS; it must be completed once in each 24-month registration period.⁶

Who needs an Unarmed Security Officer/Courier license

Observes, detects, reports or notifies authorities about persons or property on the premises the officer is contracted to protect, without carrying or having access to a firearm.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Proprietary (in-house) security: a person employed by a business that is not a private security services business, doing security for that employer, is exempt; but an in-house employee who carries a firearm and deals directly with the public must hold a DCJS registration.⁵
• Government officers and employees performing official duties, and law-enforcement officers employed by Virginia or a political subdivision who also work paid security jobs, are exempt.¹
• Security forces directly employed by electric public service companies, and by shipyards building or repairing nuclear vessels for the U.S. Navy, are exempt.¹
• DCJS may grant a temporary exemption from registration for up to 30 days in an emergency.²

Requirements for an Unarmed Security Officer/Courier license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 18 clock hours²
Entry-level course 01E Security Officer Core Subjects (orientation incl. Virginia law and regulations, code of ethics, signs of terrorism; law; patrol, access control and communications; documentation; emergency procedures; confrontation management; use of force) with a written comprehensive exam.⁶
Who may teach it: Training must be taken at a DCJS-certified private security services training school, and is credited only if the registration application reaches DCJS within 12 months of completing it.¹
Alternative: Partial entry-level exemption for former law-enforcement officers with completed entry-level training and five continuous years of service, who left that employment no more than five years before applying ($25 application).²
Alternative: Training also covers recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking (statutory requirement for unarmed and armed officers, couriers, canine handlers and alarm respondents).¹

Also required

May work up to 90 consecutive days while completing training if fingerprints were submitted by the date of hire and the employer issues a 90-day authorization document, carried on duty with photo ID; no more than 120 days without a registration.⁶

Also required

DCJS may issue a temporary registration letter valid up to 120 days while the state and national fingerprint results are pending.²

Also required

Anyone who will carry or have access to a firearm needs the armed registration with a firearms endorsement instead.⁶

Also required

Fingerprint applications stay active for 120 days; the registration application must be filed within that window.²

How to apply

1. Get hired by (or apply through) a licensed private security services business and complete the 18-hour 01E entry-level course at a DCJS-certified training school (you may work up to 90 days while training if fingerprinted by your hire date).⁶

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary registration letter for up to 120 days while fingerprint results are pending; 90-day work authorization while training.²

Renewal and continuing education

Required topics

01I Security Officer Core Subjects In-Service, 4 hours, once per 24-month registration period²

Security Canine Handler

Uses a DCJS-certified security canine in the performance of private security duties (detector dogs are a separate category).¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 30 clock hours²
Entry-level training of 30 hours: 01E Security Officer Core Subjects (18 h) and 04ES Security Canine Handler (12 h: proficiency demonstration, evaluation by a certified canine handler instructor, orientation and legal authority, canine patrol techniques, written exam), after documented basic obedience training.⁷
Who may teach it: DCJS-certified training school; the canine must be certified by a certified security canine handler instructor.¹

Experience

Prerequisite: documented successful completion of basic obedience training.²

Exam

04ES written comprehensive examination and handling proficiency demonstration²

Also required

Must be trained and registered before working in this category.⁷

How to apply

1. Complete basic obedience training with your dog, then the 30-hour entry-level training (01E and 04ES) at a DCJS-certified school before working.⁷

Renewal

Required topics

04IS Security Canine Handler In-Service: basic obedience evaluation and retraining, canine grooming/feeding/health care, apprehension techniques, obedience²

Approved courses

In-service training is taken at a DCJS-certified training school, which reports the roster, once in each 24-month registration period.⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Armed Security Officer registration

Safeguards persons and property or deters theft or concealment of property on contracted premises while carrying or having access to a firearm; may arrest for offenses on the protected premises or for shoplifting/concealment seen by the merchant.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 50 clock hours²
Entry-level training of 50 hours (53 with shotgun): 01E Security Officer Core Subjects (18 h), 05E Armed Security Officer Arrest Authority (8 h), 75E Security Officer Handgun (24 h), plus 08E Entry-level Shotgun (3 h) if a shotgun is carried; excludes exams, practical exercises and range qualification.⁸
Who may teach it: Taught by a DCJS-certified private security training school; firearms phases need a DCJS-certified firearms instructor on the line (1 per 5 shooters).¹
Alternative: Prior firearms training exemption (6VAC20-174-350) and partial entry-level exemption for experienced law-enforcement or security personnel.⁸

Exam

Written comprehensive examination for 05E Armed Security Officer Arrest Authority²

Exam

Handgun range qualification (Virginia private security course of fire, B-27 or FBI "Q" target)²

Also required

Must hold a firearms endorsement, qualified with each type of action and caliber of firearm carried; carrying a concealed handgun also requires a Virginia concealed handgun permit and the employer's written permission.²

Also required

Cannot work before being trained and registered (no 90-day training window for armed officers).⁸

Also required

Uniforms may not say "police", must be worn on duty and must show the firm's insignia and the officer's last name.⁸

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete the 50-hour entry-level training (01E, 05E and 75E handgun, plus 08E shotgun if applicable) and the range qualification at a DCJS-certified training school before working.⁸
2. Because you will carry or have access to a firearm, complete the security officer handgun course (75E) and file the online Firearms Endorsement application; the endorsement is renewed every year after annual retraining.⁹

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary registration letter for up to 120 days while fingerprint results are pending (training must already be complete).²

Renewal

Required topics

01I Security Officer Core Subjects In-Service, 4 hours per 24-month registration period²
Annual firearms retraining: 4 hours handgun classroom/range plus requalification (07R); 3 hours shotgun (08R) if applicable; required before each annual endorsement.²

If it expires

A registration not renewed by its expiration date is void; it can be reinstated only if the renewal application and requirements reach DCJS within 60 days after expiration, with the reinstatement fee. Working during the reinstatement period is unlawful.²
More than 60 days after expiration, the person must meet all initial requirements again, including entry-level training.²
Renewal extensions (up to 12 months total) are allowed only for extended illness or injury, military or foreign service, or emergency temporary assignment; the person is non-operational during the extension.²
The firearms endorsement lasts up to 12 months; retraining must be done in the 90 days before it expires or entry-level firearms training must be repeated. Endorsements cannot be reinstated.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Private Security Services Business License

Any person providing security officers, couriers, armored car personnel, canine handlers, personal protection specialists, private investigators, alarm respondents, locksmiths or electronic security personnel to another person under contract.¹

Requirements

Education or training

The designated compliance agent must complete DCJS entry-level regulatory compliance training (within 12 months of approval) and pass its exam with at least 80%.³
Who may teach it: Training session provided by the department.³

Exam

DCJS entry-level regulatory compliance training examination (compliance agent)³
Given by: Virginia DCJS³
Passing score: 80%³

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required³
Felony or listed misdemeanor convictions bar a business license or compliance agent certification unless the DCJS Director grants a written waiver.¹

Residency or citizenship

Licensee must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien; nonresident applicants file an irrevocable consent for DCJS to accept service of process.³

Insurance

Comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1 million general aggregate, from an insurer authorized in Virginia, with DCJS as certificate holder.³

Business requirements

Designate at least one certified (or eligible) compliance agent.³

Business requirements

Entities other than sole proprietors and partnerships give their Virginia State Corporation Commission ID number.³

Business requirements

A physical Virginia address where required records are kept (no P.O. box).³

Business requirements

The license covers one service category; each additional category (e.g. private investigators, armored car, canine handlers) costs extra. Security officers/couriers (armed and unarmed) is one category.³

Business requirements

The DCJS business license number (11-xxxx) must appear on all advertising, letterhead, business cards, contracts and online.⁵

Also required

A temporary license letter (up to 120 days) may be issued while principals' and the compliance agent's fingerprint results are pending; no soliciting before the license is issued.⁵

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Virginia DCJS³, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Register the entity with the Virginia SCC (unless a sole proprietor or partnership), obtain $1 million general liability insurance naming DCJS as certificate holder, and secure a physical Virginia records address.⁵
2. Designate a compliance agent, who completes DCJS entry-level regulatory compliance training and passes its exam (80%).⁵
3. File the Initial Business License Application in the DCJS Lotus portal, choose the service categories, fingerprint each principal, and pay the fees.⁵ lotus.dcjs.virginia.gov⁵
4. Start operating and soliciting only after the license (or a temporary license letter) is issued.⁵

Renewal

When it expires

Renewed for up to 24 months; renewal applications due at least 30 days before expiration.³

Renewal fee

$500³ (2-year renewal (plus category fees))

Required topics

Compliance agent in-service regulatory compliance training (classroom or approved online) in the 12 months before certification expires³

If it expires

License not renewed by expiration is void; reinstatement only within 60 days with the reinstatement fee; after 60 days all initial requirements apply.³

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a security guard in Virginia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Virginia is on the Virginia license lookup page.

Look up a license

dcjs.virginia.gov¹⁰

File a complaint

dcjs.virginia.gov¹¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Code of Virginia §§ 9.1-138 to 9.1-150.4 (Title 9.1, Chapter 1, Article 4, Private Security Services)
• 6VAC20-174 Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Registered Personnel
• 6VAC20-174-20
• Code of Virginia § 9.1-146 (arrest powers of registered armed security officers)
• 6VAC20-172 Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Businesses
• 6VAC20-172-20
• Code of Virginia § 9.1-144 (insurance required)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2028: Scheduled: fingerprint fees restored to $50, the amount in 6VAC20-172-20 / 6VAC20-174-20 (training roster submissions $30).¹¹
• January 1, 2027: Scheduled: DCJS Licensure and Regulatory Services begins restoring the fee schedules in the Virginia Administrative Code; fingerprint fees go to $35 (training roster submissions $15). Announced in the Fee Restoration Notice emailed to credential holders on September 22, 2026.¹¹

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming