What is a Guard Card?
It is the term used for a security license required mainly to work as a private security guard in California. Different states have different names for this license. Names such as registration card, work card, or security officer license are used. In Arizona, it is called a security guard registration card. If you want to work in private security, having a proper licence is mandatory. In Arizona, this license is issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
There are certain prerequisites one needs to fulfill to be eligible to apply for this guard card. Let’s discuss these requirements one by one.
Background Check
For a proper background check, you need to submit your fingerprints to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Then, they will access you according to states and federal records. If you are found guilty of certain crimes like sexual offense, felonies and crimes that question your integrity, you won’t be able to qualify for your guard card in Arizona.
Age Appropriation
Mostly, the minimum age requirement to obtain a guard card is 18, because this is the legally accepted adult age. For most states, this stands true. The minimum age for obtaining an unarmed guard card is 18, and for armed guard cards, the age limit rises above to 21.
Citizenship Criteria
To apply for a guard card and work as a private security guard in Arizona, you must be a U.S. citizen. This ensures that you are legally allowed to work in states and you are not a high risk liability.
Documentation Requirement
In order to obtain your guard card, there are some non-negotiable documents. These documents are your ID card, your social security number, proof that you are 18 plus and you need to provide certificates of required training.
Mandatory Trainings
Different states have different training requirements that you must complete before applying for your guard card. In Arizona, you have to complete an 8-hour unarmed pre-assignment training course, covering ethics, laws, use of force, and procedures, from a DPS approved provider. After completing this training, you can apply to the Arizona department of public safety(DPS) with your training certificate, fingerprints, and fees. For an armed license, you need additional training (a 16-hour course with live-fire qualification) after your unarmed training.
After successful completion of these training sessions, you will be eligible to apply for a guard card. And you will be legally allowed to work as a private security guard, both armed and unarmed.
Conclusion
To apply for a guard card in the state of Arizona, you need to be at least 18 years and above, undergo a proper criminal background check, provide all the required documents and get proper certificates after completing armed and unarmed training. After all this verification, you will be eligible to apply for a guard card. With a guard card in hand, you can work as a private security guard anywhere in Arizona.