Requirements for licensure

Security Officer

Pre-Qualifications:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

• Either be a United States citizen or have in his or her possession a valid Immigration and Naturalization Service work permit;

• Be able to read, write, and speak the English language; and

• Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency Business

Submit the following documents for new licenses:

• Government Issued ID

• United States Passport, United States Birth Certificate, and Immigration and Naturalization Service Work Permit

• 2x2 photo 

• Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)

• Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)

• Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form

• Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)

• Health/Physical Examination

• Security Officer’s Passed Examination Results

• Fingerprint Receipt

Special Police Officer

Pre-Qualifications:

• Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;

• Be a citizen of the United States;

• Be of good moral character; 

• Possess a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, or one year of experience as a special police officer in the District of Columbia;

• Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;

• Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency;

• Be certified by a licensed physician as physically and psychologically fit to perform the duties of a special police officer;

• An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a special police officer;

• Special police officers shall be required to satisfactorily complete pre-assignment, on the-job, and in-service training programs which have been prescribed and approved by the Mayor;

• Pre-assignment training shall include at least sixteen (16) hours of training on arrest powers, search and seizure laws, the District of Columbia Official Code, and the use of force. Pre-assignment training shall include an additional twenty-four (24) hours of training generally relating to the special police officer's duties and specifically including:

  • Terrorism awareness, including building evacuation, unattended packages, and unknown substances;

  • Emergency procedures, including evacuation and first-aid; and

  • Customer service and interaction with tourists.

• Special police officers shall satisfactorily complete a 16-hour, on-the-job training course within ninety (90) working days following employment, and an 8-hour annual in-service training course;

• Special police officers shall also satisfy all additional initial and re-qualification training standards for firearms and other equipment, as applicable;

• Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a security agency from voluntarily providing training programs and courses which exceed the minimum requirements. Upon satisfactory completion of a required training course, a special police officer shall receive from his or her employer a certificate evidencing satisfactory completion thereof.

Submit the following documents for new licenses:

• Government Issued ID

• Unites States Passport, United States Birth Certificate or Naturalization Document

• 2x2 photo 

• Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)

• Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)

• Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form

• Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)

• Physical Examination

• Range Certificate (if armed)

• Fingerprint Receipt

• Confirmation Receipt of Payment

Licensure Fees

Security Officer

• Exam – $69 (New Applicants Only)

• New – $103

• Renewal – $103

Special Police Officer

• New – $84.00

• Renewal – $84.00

* Please note that according to D.C. Code § 47-2853.10, application fees for initial licensing, certification, registration, renewal and reinstatement shall not be refundable, even if the applicant withdraws his or her application for licensure, certification or registration, or is found to be not qualified.