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Salary and Prospects of Security Guard Jobs in District of Columbia

As per the latest employment statistics of Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for Security Guard job in District of Columbia is indicated below.

  • Number of persons employed as Security Guards in District of Columbia is: 13,440
  • Annual Average Wage of a Security Guard in District of Columbia is: $36,750.00.

In Washington DC, the Security Officers Management Branch, or SOMB, of the D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department must issue a license before one can work as a security guard, unarmed or otherwise.Effective January 2, 2014, the processing of all license applications, including license renewals, for private detectives, private investigators, special police officers, and security officers are handled by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), although final signoff of each application will still be done by the Metropolitan Police Department, Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB).You may be able to land a job without a license, but most employers will require you to become licensed as a condition of employment. You must also renew your license every year.The DCRA office is located at 2000 14th Street, NW, Room 302. The DCRA staff will be on-site to process applications. Payment of license fees must be paid at the SOMB office and must be in the form of a cashier’s check, money order, or certified check; no cash or personal checks are accepted. The license fees are listed below.All new license applications and license renewals must complete a streamlined application, provide fingerprints for a criminal background check, and submit two color photos measuring 1’ x 1 ½’ in size for each application submitted. 

Eligibility Requirement for Security Guard in District of Columbia

Any person who wishes to work as an unarmed security officer must be:

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Applicant must be a high school graduate.
  • Applicant must be a resident and a legal citizen of the United States or a resident alien.
  • Applicant must be mentally competent.
  • Applicant has submitted finger prints.
  • Applicant must have his or her background checked FBI style.
  • Applicant must be free from any compromising dependencies such as alcohol or drug abuse.
  • Applicant must have no conviction of any serious crime within 5 years of the date of application.
  • Applicant must not have any crime involving firearms, violence and other serious misdemeanors.
  • Applicant must undergo necessary training requirements as required.
  • Applicant must be of good moral character.
  • Applicant must be in good physical condition.
  • Applicant must be able to communicate clearly and effectively.

Application Steps for Security Guard in District of Columbia

A training course is required for any applicant who desires to register as an unarmed security guard. The course varies and covers a range of topics such as emergency procedures, general duties of a security officer and the use of non-lethal weapons. All of these are covered while on the training process. After meeting all the necessary requirements, payments must be made and completed before the applicant is officially registered as an unarmed security guard. Once registered, the registration must be renewed every two (2) years.

Fees to Apply for a Security Guard in District of Columbia

License TypeLicense FeesBreakdown of License Fees
Security Officer Individual License
(2 Year License)
Total: $138
$103 payable to Pearson VUE
$35 payable to DC Treasurer
$65 Application fee
$38 License fee
$35 Criminal History Report
Special Police Officer Individual LicenseTotal: $119
$84 payable to Pearson VUE,
$35 payable to DC Treasurer
$65 Application fee
$19 License fee
$35 Criminal History Report

Training Syllabus for a Security Guard in District of Columbia

The District of Columbia does not require any individual state licensing or registration for the position of security guard. The employer is required to register people they employ at the time of hire. There has been some recent debate about this and it is subject to change at any time. Anyone who applies for a job in a building that may be subject to a terrorist attack can expect to undergo extra training in CPR and other emergency procedures.

Other Useful Information for Security Guard Application in District of Columbia

Metropolitan Police Department,300 Indiana Avenue,NW, Room 5059,Washington ,DC 20001Phone: (202) 727-9099Fax: (202) 727-4106TTY: 711Email: mpd@dc.gov/Website: http://mpdc.dc.gov/Security Officers Management Branch: http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/security-officers-management-branch-somb

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