People seeking initial licensure or certification as security officers, including armed security officers, must complete board-approved training; armed security officers also need firearms safety training, and all affected officers must complete refresher training before renewal.
(a) A person seeking initial licensure or certification as a security officer or armed security officer shall have completed board approved training with a certified trainer. Initial board approved training shall consist of a minimum of eight hours. Specific initial training requirements may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (b) After initial licensure or certification in accordance with this chapter, security officers and armed security officers shall complete board approved refresher training before submitting an application for licensure or certification renewal. Specific refresher training requirements may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (c) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b), a person seeking initial licensure or certification as an armed security officer shall have completed board approved firearms safety training. Specific requirements for firearms safety training may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (d) After initial licensure or certification, an armed security officer shall complete board approved refresher firearms safety training before submitting an application for licensure or certification renewal. Specific refresher training requirements may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (e) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, a person seeking initial licensure or certification as a security officer or armed security officer shall have completed board approved use of force training. Specific requirements for use of force training may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (f) After initial licensure or certification, security officers and armed security officers shall complete board approved refresher use of force training before submitting an application for licensure or certification renewal. Specific refresher training requirements may be outlined, defined, and modified by board rule. (g) The following persons are exempt from the basic training requirements of subsections (a) to (f), inclusive, except to the extent set forth below: (1) Any security officer or armed security officer who, within three years before applying for licensure or certification, completed basic security training through a military, government, or security training institute that meets or exceeds the training required by this chapter. The board shall examine proof of training before declaring an applicant exempt. An initial exemption granted pursuant to this subdivision does not exempt an applicant from annual training requirements or refresher training requirements. (2) Any security officer or armed security officer employed by a contract security company that has a training curriculum and standards that the board determines, upon presentation of proof of training, meet or exceed those required by this chapter. The board shall examine proof of training before declaring an applicant exempt. An initial exemption granted pursuant to this subdivision does not exempt an applicant from annual training requirements or refresher training requirements. (3) Any person who is employed as a sworn peace officer. (h) The minimum training standards provided in this section are in addition to any qualifications required by an employing contract security company.