Your Complete Guide to Security Guard Training: Armed vs. Unarmed

Thinking about a career in security? It’s a vital and rewarding field that requires specific skills, training, and a commitment to protecting people and property. This guide breaks down the essential steps, explains the key differences between armed and unarmed roles, and provides expert tips to help you launch your career successfully.

First Steps: Basic Requirements for All Aspiring Guards

Before you even begin training, you must meet a set of baseline requirements. While these can vary slightly from state to state and by employer, the vast majority of security positions require you to:

  • Be at least 18 years old. For armed guard positions, the minimum age is often 21.
  • Have a high school diploma or GED. This demonstrates a foundational level of education.
  • Pass a comprehensive criminal background check. Felonies and certain misdemeanors are typically disqualifying. Honesty on your application is critical.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have a legal right to work in the U.S. You will need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility.
  • Pass a drug screening. Most reputable security companies have a zero-tolerance policy for drug use.

Meeting these prerequisites is the first checkpoint on your journey to becoming a professional security guard.

The Foundation: Unarmed Security Guard Training

Every security professional starts with the fundamentals taught in unarmed guard training. This is the core curriculum that prepares you for the most common challenges you will face in the field. This training is not just about standing at a post; it’s about observation, prevention, and professional response.

What You’ll Learn in Unarmed Training

The goal of this initial certification is to teach you how to handle situations without a firearm, using communication and established procedures. A typical unarmed training course covers several key areas:

  • The Role of a Security Guard: Understanding your duties, responsibilities, and the professional image you must maintain.
  • Legal Powers and Limitations: This is crucial. You’ll learn about the limits of your authority, citizen’s arrest laws (often called “Powers to Arrest”), and how to avoid legal trouble.
  • Observation and Reporting: How to effectively patrol, identify potential threats, and document incidents. You will learn to write clear, concise, and accurate reports that can be used by law enforcement or in court.
  • Communication and De-escalation: Many situations can be resolved peacefully with the right words. You’ll learn techniques to calm agitated individuals and de-escalate conflicts before they turn physical.
  • Emergency Procedures: This includes responding to fires, medical emergencies, bomb threats, and other critical incidents. Often, this includes basic first aid and CPR training.
  • Access Control: Procedures for managing the entry and exit of people and vehicles, checking identification, and maintaining the security of a facility.

Upon completion, you’ll take a state-mandated exam to receive your unarmed security license, often called a “Guard Card.”

Taking the Next Step: Armed Security Guard Training

Becoming an armed guard involves a significant increase in responsibility and requires much more intensive training. This path is for individuals who have already completed their unarmed certification and are ready for a role that may involve a higher level of risk.

What to Expect in Armed Training

Armed certification builds directly on your unarmed training and adds a critical component: firearms proficiency and safety.

  • Advanced Legal Training: The laws governing the use of force, especially lethal force, are extremely strict. You will receive in-depth instruction on when you are legally justified to draw and use your firearm.
  • Firearm Safety and Mechanics: You’ll learn the fundamentals of handgun safety, including proper handling, loading, unloading, and storage. You will also learn how to disassemble, clean, and maintain your service weapon.
  • Marksmanship and Proficiency: This is a major part of the training. You will spend significant time at a firing range learning proper grip, stance, sight alignment, and trigger control. To pass, you must demonstrate proficiency by shooting a qualifying score on a designated course of fire.
  • Holstering and Drawing Techniques: You will practice drawing your firearm from a holster safely and efficiently, as well as re-holstering it securely.
  • Use-of-Force Continuum: You’ll study the escalating levels of force and learn to apply the appropriate level of response to any given threat, with the firearm being the last resort.

After completing the classroom and range training, you will need to pass another state exam and a live-fire qualification test to earn your armed security permit.

Expert Tips for a Successful Security Career

Getting certified is just the beginning. To stand out and build a successful long-term career, focus on these key areas.

  1. Choose Your Training Provider Wisely: Look for state-accredited schools with experienced instructors, preferably those with a background in law enforcement or the military. Read reviews and ask about their job placement assistance rates.
  2. Develop Your Soft Skills: Technical skills are important, but communication, integrity, and a calm demeanor are what make a great security guard. Practice active listening and learn to stay composed under pressure.
  3. Maintain Physical Fitness: While you don’t need to be a bodybuilder, being in good physical condition is important. The job can require long hours of standing or walking, and you may need to respond physically in an emergency.
  4. Pursue Additional Certifications: Basic certifications get you in the door. Specialized training can lead to better pay and more interesting assignments. Consider getting certified in:
    • CPR/AED and Advanced First Aid
    • Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB)
    • Executive Protection (Bodyguard)
    • Loss Prevention
  5. Network and Be Professional: Attend security industry events if possible and always present yourself professionally, both online and in person. Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets in this field.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does security guard training take? Unarmed training can often be completed in a few days to a week, typically ranging from 8 to 40 hours depending on state requirements. Armed training is an additional course that can add another 16 to 40 hours of classroom and range time.

Are the training requirements the same in every state? No, they are not. Security guard licensing is regulated at the state level, and requirements can vary significantly. For example, states like California and New York have very specific and extensive training mandates. Always check the requirements for the specific state where you plan to work.

What is the average salary for a security guard? Salaries vary widely based on location, experience, and whether the position is armed or unarmed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for security guards was around $37,780 in May 2023. Armed guards and those with specialized skills typically earn a higher wage.