The Division Of Occupational And Professional Licensing (DOPL) regulates all private security officer licenses to work as a security officer for a Contract Security Company. We have provided all the information you need to know below, but you can also see the DOPL website Security Companies and Guards for information.
Utah Private Security Officer Licensing
No Previous Security Experience Required
1. Eligibility
The Security Personnel Licensing Act of 1995 requires all individuals in the state of Utah to;
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Meet the minimum requirements as described under 58-63-302. Qualifications for licensure and R156-63a-302f. Qualifications for Licensure – Good Moral Character – Disqualifying Convictions. If you have a criminal conviction you may be prohibited from obtaining or holding a private security officer license.
- Complete a basic education and training program approved by DOPL.
- Obtain an unarmed or armed private security officer license before being able to work as a private security officer.
IMPORTANT
All individuals who had a Utah unarmed or armed private security officer license within the past 2 years (expired on 11/30/2022) cannot apply as a new applicant. The individual is required to complete ALL applicable continuing education and renew the license by paying the renewal fee and applicable late fee. See our continuing education information.
If you are a military member or military spouse, please review the DOPL Military Resources page before applying.
License By Endorsement
Individuals who have a VALID and active security license, for at least one year, as a security professional in another state, territory, or district of the United States may qualify for licensure by endorsement to obtain a Utah private security officer license without having to complete the required training. Select a link below for approved jurisdictions and additional information.
Internationally-Trained Applicant Information
Individuals who have international training or education, particularly new Americans such as immigrants and refugees, who have completed extensive education, job training, or work experience abroad may be eligible to have a license issued to qualified professionals with international training or education. You can find more information on the DOPL website and their FAQs.
2. Complete The Required Training
Select A Tab
Applicants can complete the unarmed training online or in person (classroom environment).
Applicants must complete an approved basic education and training program which consists of at least eight hours and obtain a score of at least 80% on the final examination.
It is illegal for an unarmed private security officer to carry or have access to a firearm while on duty, even if the individual has a concealed firearm permit.
Defencify Is The Premier Online Security Training
You can now easily complete the required 8-hour training to obtain the unarmed private security officer license ONLINE conveniently on your own schedule at any time, anywhere, on your computer, tablet, or cellphone. There is no need to take time off work, travel, worry about being late due to traffic, or miss out on other things you want to do.
Cost: $109.00
Use Our Code “utahfast” And Save An Additional 10%!
NOTE: If your plan is to obtain the armed private security officer license DO NOT submit the license application until you have completed an approved basic firearms training program or you will have to pay for ALL application fees again.
Applicants must complete all armed training in person (classroom environment). Armed training cannot be completed online.
-
- Applicants must:
- Currently have a valid Utah unarmed private security officer license; or
- Completed an approved basic education and training program, within the last year, which consisted of at least eight hours, and obtained a score of at least 80% on the final examination.
- Applicants must then complete an approved basic firearms training program, at least 12 hours, which consists of:
- At least six hours of classroom firearms instruction and the applicant obtains a score of at least 80% on the final examination and;
- At least six hours of firearms range instruction on which the applicant achieves a minimum score of 80% on a recognized practical pistol course using regular and low-light conditions.
- Applicants must:
As described in R156-63a-601. Operating Standards – Firearms. (1) An armed private security officer shall carry only that firearm with which the officer has passed an approved basic firearms training program.
This means an armed private security officer is ONLY authorized to carry the firearm if they have passed the firearm live-fire qualification course. If an individual wants the option of carrying a different firearm, the individual must pass the live fire qualification course with each additional firearm.
3. Complete An Application
A Utah Private Security Officer license application can be submitted by using a paper application or online through the DOPL website. Regardless of which way you choose to apply, you must meet all requirements and submit the required documentation with the application as described in R156-63a-302a (2).
Select A Tab
- $90.00 non-refundable application processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”. (not included in any training costs)
- A completed and legible application that includes ALL of the following:
- Page 1: The correct box marked for the private security officer license the individual is applying for, Applicant Information and Affidavit And Release.
- Page 2: Qualifying Questionnaire, Affidavit, and other Professional Licenses. If an applicant marks “yes” to any of the questions an individual must include all supporting documentation for EACH and EVERY incident.
- Page 3: Criminal History Disclosure Statement and Optional Interim License Information
– If requesting an interim license, an applicant must provide a current criminal history report, “Right of Access” from the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) showing “No Criminal Record Found” attached to the application. This option is a separate $15.00 cost and must be obtained from BCI.
– If an applicant marked “Yes” to any question on the Qualifying Questionnaire, an interim license will not be issued. - Page 4: Certification of Education Requirements. This page includes two sections the “Certification Of Initial Basic Education” is for the unarmed private security officer license. The “Certification Of Initial Firearm Education” is for the armed private security officer license. See more information about this page below.
- Page 5: Application Checklist And Instructions. The checklist is for your convenience and does not need to be included in the application. It is to assist the applicant to ensure they know what is required to be submitted with the application.
- Two (2) completed FD-258 fingerprint cards. DOPL provides fingerprint services (appointment required) for all applicants and is included in the licensing fee.
We provide fingerprints in our courses and we provide fingerprints for the public.
Certification of Education Requirements Information
Certification Of Initial Basic Education
– Unarmed License Training –
- If the applicant completed the approved basic education and training program in person (classroom environment), this section must be completed and signed by an approved instructor.
- If the applicant completed online training, this section is left blank and the applicant must attach a certificate showing completion of an approved online basic education and training course.
- If the applicant has a current and valid unarmed private security officer license and is completing this application to obtain an armed private security officer license, this section is left blank.
Certification Of Initial Firearm Education
– Armed License Training –
- If the applicant is applying for an unarmed private security officer license, leave this section blank. DO NOT fill out any information.
- If the applicant is applying for an armed private security officer license, this section must be completed and signed by an authorized instructor showing completion of an approved armed basic education and training course. Armed training cannot be completed online.
Submit all required items listed above to DOPL
- In Person: The application processing fee can be made by cash, credit/debit card or check/money order made payable to “DOPL”.
Address: Heber M Wells Building, 1st Floor Lobby 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Or
- The application processing fee can be made by check or money order made payable to “DOPL”.
Mail To:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
PO BOX 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
- $90.00 non-refundable application processing fee. (not included in any training costs) can be paid when submitting the online application.
- If you previously had a Utah unarmed or armed private security officer license at any time in the past, DOPL does not allow you to submit an online application for a new license. You must use a paper application.
- Any required documents that need to be uploaded with your application cannot be larger than 3 MB. Documents can be emailed to [email protected] and include your name and profession.
- If applying by Endorsement, make sure you select your endorsement state.
- If requesting an interim license, you must upload or email a current original criminal history report, “Right of Access” from the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) showing “No Criminal Record Found”. This option is a separate $15.00 cost and must be obtained from BCI. If an applicant marked “Yes” to any question on the Qualifying Questionnaire, an interim private security officer license will not be issued.
- Upload or email the Certification of Education Requirements. See more information about this below.
- Two (2) completed FD-258 fingerprint cards. DOPL provides fingerprint services (appointment required) for all applicants and is included in the licensing fee.
YOU CAN NOT UPLOAD THE FINGERPRINT CARDS
We provide fingerprints in our courses and we provide fingerprints for the public.
The two fingerprint cards can be submitted to DOPL:
- In Person: Heber M Wells Building, 1st Floor Lobby 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- By mail to:
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
PO BOX 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
Certification of Education Requirements Information
Certification Of Initial Basic Education
– Unarmed License Training –
- If the applicant completed the approved basic education and training program in person (classroom environment), the applicant must upload or email the Certification of Initial Basic Education (page 4 of the paper application) that was completed and signed by an approved instructor.
- If the applicant completed online training, the applicant must upload or email the certificate showing completion of an approved online basic education and training course.
Certification Of Initial Firearm Education
– Armed License Training –
- If the applicant is applying for an armed private security officer license, the applicant can upload or email the certificate showing completion of an approved online basic education and training course, or the applicant can upload or email the Certification of Initial Basic Education (page 4 of the paper application) that was completed and signed by an approved firearms instructor. Armed training cannot be completed online.
5. Application Process
Interim License
No Utah Criminal Record
- If the applicant requests to obtain an interim license and provides a current criminal history report “Right of Access” from BCI showing “No Criminal Record Found” attached to the application, and has not had a license to practice an occupation or profession denied, revoked, suspended, restricted, or placed on probation DOPL will email the temporary private security officer license within 2 business days (48 business hours) to the applicant’s email address provided on the application. The temporary private security officer license expires 90 days (3 months) after it is issued or on the date on which the applicant is issued a license, whichever is earlier.
- When the FBI fingerprint background check is clear DOPL will then email the active private security officer license to the applicant’s email address provided on the application, usually within approximately 2 weeks.
Past Criminal Record
- If an applicant marked “yes” to any of the questions on the Qualifying Questionnaire the applicant will NOT receive an interim private security officer license even if the applicant attached a current criminal history report “Right of Access” from BCI.
- If the applicant has any convictions on their Utah criminal history report the individual is not eligible to receive an interim private security officer license. The individual will have their criminal history reviewed by the DOPL board to determine if the applicant is qualified to obtain a private security officer license. If the FBI fingerprint background check is clear, and DOPL approves the applicant, DOPL will email the active security license to the applicant’s email address provided on the application, usually within approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
6. License Denial
- If an applicant’s application is denied, a private security officer license will not be issued.
- If an applicant was issued an interim private security officer license shall automatically expire.
- If an application is denied the applicant will receive notice and reason for the denial.