State Requirements for Guard Card
and Security Officers

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In the state of Texas the Private Security Bureau whose department headquarters is located in Austin regulates the unarmed security guard. The guidelines that the person wanting to be in a security sector must adhere to the rules of the Non-Commissioned Security Officer section 1702.113 in order to obtain a Texas license.

The law in Texas for unarmed security officers is they must complete 30 hours of training at a certified facility. There are other specific qualifications in order to be licensed:

• The licensed unarmed security guard is required to wear a uniform indicating the company they are employed.
• The person that has been convicted of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor can not hold a security license for 20 years after the conviction.
• The person that has been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor cannot hold a security license in the state of Texas with some exceptions for a five year period.
• The first time DWI that is a Class B misdemeanor will not be disqualified from holding an unarmed security guard license.
• The person applying must have the right to work in the United States and must supply tax information for the Internal Revenue Service.
• An FBI style background check will be done prior to obtaining a Texas security license.
• Drug screening will be conducted; anyone that does not pass the drug screening cannot be licensed.
• The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• A high school diploma must be held or an equivalency exam

The unarmed security guard classes provided by a certified facility will include leadership skills, safety training, training in non-violent disagreement resolutions and the use of force.

There will also be education of the Texas Private Security Bureau chapter 1702 of the Texas occupation code. This is the code that regulates the security field. There is training in response to emergencies, report writing and legal issues. Training is provided in dealing with the public in a professional manner during crisis situations.

Once the certified training course has been completed there will be a required written examination required by the state of Texas to obtain licensing. Individual licensing applications can only be accepted when a security company gainfully employs the individual.

When applying for an unarmed security license a permanent license will be received in 4 to 6 weeks from the date of receiving the application. This Texas license will expire two years from the date of issue and will need to be renewed if the holder of the license is still working in the security sector.

The unarmed security guard once licensed can be employed in settings such as schools, hospitals, museums, libraries, shopping malls and other types of retail stores. In these settings, the unarmed security personnel is responsible for shoplifting, emergencies including medical and fire, until trained personnel arrives at the scene in response. These situations are to be carried out in a professional manner, which does not alert other patrons of the event that is taking place.

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