Security Guard Requirements in New York

As per New York State law, a Security Guard is a person (other than an active police officer) employed in New York State to principally perform one or more of the following duties, and the person is not performing the functions of a private investigator as defined in Section 71 of Article 7 of the General Business Law:

• protection of persons and/or property from harm, theft, and/or unlawful activity;
• deterrence, observation, detection, and/or reporting unlawful or unauthorized activity;
• street patrol service;
• response to, but not installation or service of, a security system alarm.

Requirements for registration as a Security Guard in the New York State

1. Applicants must be 18 years of age
2. Completed an 8-hour pre-assignment training course,
3. Not been convicted of a serious criminal offense.
4. Must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States.

Anyone exempt from Security Guard registration in the New York State?
The following type of persons are exempted from the registration requirements:

• A security guard who is otherwise subject to regulation with respect to registration and training by the federal government in the performance of his or her duties
• A security guard providing services on a voluntary basis
• Active police officers are exempt from registration, but, when employed by a contractual entity, they must complete an Employee Statement but do not need to be fingerprinted. However, police officers separated from service (e.g. retired) are considered civilians and must register as a security guard.
• Peace officers while working in their official capacity for their primary employer. However, if moonlighting, a peace officer is considered a security guard and must register.

Additional requirements for an armed guard registration
You must complete a 47-hour firearms course, and submit the certificate with your application for issuance of an armed guard registration card.

For more details, you can review the detailed FAQ of the application process for Security Guards in the New York State.