Working as an armed security guard can be a fulfilling career path in New York City. Like unarmed guards, you’ll be responsible for protecting property and the personnel who hired you for your services. However, because you’ll be handling firearms and other weapons, there are additional training credentials and licenses you will need to acquire, unlike your unarmed counterparts. Armed guards are deployed to higher-risk areas, making your additional training vital, but also promising higher hourly pay.
This article outlines the steps to take when applying for armed security guard services in NYC.
Roles and Responsibilities of Armed Security Guards
Your overall goal would be to ensure your work environment is safe and secure. You’ll likely be assigned to high-risk environments, such as financial institutions. Hence, you’d need to understand how to use your service weapon appropriately if necessary.
Examples of weapons used by armed security guards include tasers, batons, firearms, and pepper spray. As an armed guard, you may be assigned the following duties:
- Secure the entrances of buildings or outdoor areas
- Patrol large properties and watch out for potential threats
- Engage with offenders and quickly respond to emergencies
- Protect the public from potential attacks or harassment
- Perform crowd control when needed for events
- Document incidents and daily activities in a report
This type of work may be very rewarding if you have the following skills:
- Mentally equipped to remain calm under duress
- Detail-oriented and with good investigative skills
- Quick to make decisions during emergencies
- Good communicator with strong interpersonal skills
You can generally acquire hard skills during training. Being physically fit is also a plus, considering you need to be quick on your feet and can expect to spend long hours standing and walking.
Security Guard Requirements and Registration
According to Section 89-G of Article 7A of the Security Guard Act, security guards must be registered with the New York Department of State (DOS) and complete all training requirements approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). There are exceptions for veteran law enforcement or peace officers. Training requirements also differ depending on whether you want to be armed or unarmed.
Becoming a security guard in New York City – whether armed or unarmed – requires prospective guards to meet a few basic requirements. The New York DOS mandates that each guard take an eight-hour pre-assignment training course. These courses can be taken online or in person and typically cost between $50 and $100. The pre-assignment course must be taken before proceeding with the rest of the application process.
Once you’ve completed the course, you can apply to the Department of State’s website. The application requires a $36.00 fee, and the applicant must meet a few minimum requirements.
Minimum Requirements
Alongside your application and fee, you’ll need documentation to prove that you:
- Are 18+
- Have a Government Photo ID
- Have a High School Diploma or GED
- Completed the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Training Course
- Submit Fingerprints & Criminal Record Checks to the Department of State
Armed Guard Training Requirements in NYC
To get an armed guard license and pass the shooting qualifications, you must complete these initial training requirements:
- 8-Hour Preassignment Training: After completing this introductory course, please submit a copy of your certificate along with your security guard application.
- 16-Hour On-the-Job Training (OJT): This course includes your duties as a guard, the requirements of working on-site and your employer’s needs. You should complete this training within 90 days of getting hired for a job.
- 47-Hour Firearms Training: This involves specialized training for guards on the safe and responsible use of firearms. However, you must already have a valid New York State (NYS) Pistol Permit, as the course is not designed for beginners. Plus, you must already have a security guard registration. You should also submit a copy of this certificate with your application.
The curriculum for classroom training generally includes topics on the following:
- General firearm safety
- Firearm safe storage requirements
- Basic principles of marksmanship
- State and federal gun laws
- Situational awareness of your surroundings
- Conflict de-escalation tactics and conflict management
- Deadly physical force and its justification
- Suicide prevention and recognition of risks
- Best practices when encountering law enforcement
The live firearms training will teach you about range safety, safe drawing, dry firing, and safe loading and unloading of ammunition. There will be a written proficiency test after the classroom training, during which you must achieve a score of 80 percent to pass the exam. There will also be a live-fire assessment after your firearms training courses.
Once you get hired as an armed guard, you must complete an annual eight-hour in-service and firearms training. These two separate courses are required to renew your license. Since your security guard registration is valid for two years, you must complete this annual training twice before it is due for renewal.
Exceptions to Training Requirements
If you previously held a full-time peace officer position in New York, you can apply for a waiver for the firearms training if you’re applying within four years of leaving the position. Once you apply, you should be able to demonstrate that you still meet the minimum standards set by the training requirements.
Some peace officers and law enforcers won’t need to apply for a waiver. These include:
- Active peace officers: If you are still on the job and acting for your employer, you can be exempted from the training. Assuming you’ve been employed for at least 18 months and have been authorized by your employer to carry a firearm, then you won’t need to take the 47-hour firearms course. However, if you are moonlighting or taking a break from employment, you must complete all training requirements.
- Active police officers: If you’re currently a police officer, you only need to provide proof of your original police officer training, a letter of good standing from your employer, and your fingerprint receipt with your security guard application.
- Retired police officers: If you’re a retired police officer, you must provide a letter from your previous department indicating your retirement date. You also need proof that you’ve completed a basic course for police officers or an equivalent that includes firearms training within one year before you work as an armed security guard.
New York State Security Regulations Regarding Firearms
The 47-hour firearms training requires you to already have a pistol permit. In NYC, there are two licenses to possess this pistol or revolver, which include:
- “Have and Possess” license: Also known as the premises license, this authorizes you to possess a firearm at specific locations, such as your place of employment.
- “Have and Carry Concealed” license: Also known as a concealed carry license, this license authorizes you to carry a pistol or revolver on your person.
To get these licenses, you must complete applicable firearms safety courses, have four character references, have an in-person interview with the licensing officer, and receive a disclosure from your spouse or any other person residing in your home. You can apply for this license at any time with your county or local licensing officer. You should renew a concealed carry license every three years and other licenses every five years.
In New York, you may also apply for a Semi-Automatic Rifle license, although you must be at least 21 years old.
Security Guard Job Security and Employment Opportunities
Security guards are in high demand in various settings, including commercial, residential, and industrial areas. Buildings or locations that are open 24 hours a day will also need security guards for different shifts. Due to ongoing safety concerns, many establishments are seeking to hire security personnel, particularly those with prior experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook is expected to grow about two percent from 2023 to 2033. Despite this being slower than average, approximately 160,000 security guard openings, along with those for gambling surveillance officers, are expected to grow each year.
How Much Do Armed Security Guards Make in NYC?
The 2024 median annual pay of security guards, according to the BLS, is approximately $38,000, which translates to about $18 per hour. However, in New York, the average annual salary for an armed security guard is roughly $45,000, or $22 per hour. Armed security guards typically receive higher pay than unarmed guards, due to the additional training, skills, and riskier environments associated with the job.
Start Your Career With The Guard Alliance
The armed security guard application process is demanding for good reason. Guards are responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, high-value assets, and human life. Consider your ideal work environment, as well as your budget and commitment to training, before setting yourself on the path to becoming an armed guard.
The Guard Alliance does not offer any training programs at the time of this article’s writing. Thankfully, we can recommend Guardian Group Services as a trusted provider of comprehensive security guard training in New York City. Guardian Group can assist with everything from the pre-assignment training course to in-person armed guard certification.
Once you have your armed or unarmed security guard license in NYC, we would love to connect. Visit our careers page and send us your resume – there’s a good chance we have deployment requests from clients in your neighbourhood!
