Connecticut General Statute 29-161q requires that security officers obtain or have a pending application with DESPP for a Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card, prior to a Security Service Agency registering such employee with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. All security officers must be at least 18 years of age and armed security officers must be at least 21 years of age.
Applicants for a Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card must complete a course of instruction approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, at their expense. The course is offered by private instructors and involves classroom criminal justice training (link below). Upon completion of the course, the instructor signs off on the reverse side of the application form DPS 135-C. The application is submitted through the mail to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU). The Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card is good for 5 years unless suspended or revoked.
Public Security Instructor List (Guard Card)
How to apply
To obtain a Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card you must complete the following requirements:
- A Security Officer Training Certification Identification application (DPS-135-C).
PLEASE ADD Email Address to application.
*Course waived for active military or honorable separation within the last two years.
Police officers waived with Letter of Separation (contact SLFU for application). - One (1) color photograph, 2” x 2” (passport style, SOLID background).
- The following fee of $100.00 must be submitted with the application (DPS-135C) form.
Check or money order made payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut..
(Application fee of $100.00 waived for military with proof of DD-214 (within last 2 years) or Military ID with MOS (contact SLFU for application). - Fingerprint fees MUST BE PAID ONLINE prior to submission of paperwork (link below).
https://ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.io/cchrspreenroll- Fingerprint Card may be submitted with application ONLY if accompanied with a copy of the APPLICANT TRACKING NUMBER.
- Fingerprint card (if printed at CSP Headquarters) will be retained at time of fingerprinting; Therefore, a COPY of the applicant tracking number and/or receipt of fingerprinting must be submitted.
- Copy of current Connecticut Driver’s License.
- Papers of Naturalization, if applicable; AND
- Signed Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights/FBI Privacy Act Statement.
FBI Privacy Act Statement
All incomplete or incorrect application packets will be returned.
Should you have any questions, or require anything further, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (860) 685-8046.
Please submit application packets to the following address:.
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Special Licensing & Firearms Unit.
1111 Country Club Road.
Middletown, CT 06457.
Attention: Security Officer (Guard Card)
*Military
*Attention Active Military Personnel and Veterans*
Public Act 14-131: Effective October 1, 2014, military personnel seeking licensure as a security officer in Connecticut may qualify for a waiver of the required security training course and licensing fee.
Please contact the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) at 860- 685-8046 to speak to security licensing personnel for additional information and specific requirements.
Link to Public Act 14-131
Guidelines on security officer registration
The employer is responsible for ensuring that the employee has obtained a Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card with the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU). The employee will not be allowed registration without it.
Failure to register an employee or allowing such person to work without the proper Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card may result in the suspension or revocation of the company's business license. Failure of the security officer to obtain the Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card may result in the employee being issued a citation.
No person shall be approved for the Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card who has been convicted of a felony, any sexual offense or any crime that would tend to question the honesty and integrity of the person. No person that has been denied a security service license, except based upon lack of experience, may be certified or registered as a security officer. Security officers may only be issued, and wear badges or insignia of the type authorized and approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. ee approved Badge form under "Application Forms" An employer is required to notify the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) within 5 business days of the resignation, termination or firing of any employee registered as a security officer.. Further, the employer is required to submit a list of all registered security employees to Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU), each year, upon renewal of their license.
Endorsements to firearms permits
Connecticut General Statue 29-161z requires that all employees hired by a security service to perform security officer services, while armed with a firearm, must obtain a special permit from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Armed security officers must be at least 21 years of age. The employer is responsible for insuring that the employee has obtained the endorsement (blue card). Any employee hired to work, as security officer shall be ertified as a security officer and obtain a Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card prior to the security service company making application to register the security officer with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The endorsement is in addition to the CT State Pistol Permit requirements imposed under C.G.S. Sec. 29-28. Failure to register an employee or allowing such person to work without the proper supplement firearm permit may result in the suspension or revocation of the company's business license and the imposition of a $75.00 fine per violation. The security officer would also be issued a $ 75.00 fine for carrying a firearm without the proper pistol permit endorsement.
Applicants for the security officer firearms endorsement must complete a course of instruction approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, at their expense. The course is offered by private instructors and involves classroom training in safety and use of firearms and range qualification. Upon completion of the course, the firearm instructor signs off on the reverse side of the application form DPS-1030. The application form is then submitted to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU). A $62.00 application fee is charged for issuance of the endorsement. The endorsement is good for 5 years unless suspended or revoked and runs parallel with the expiration date of the Connecticut State Pistol Permit. The applicant has to annually obtain a firearm refresher course utilizing the same process as mentioned above.
The Security Officer Firearm Permit Endorsement Application Form DPS 1030 must be obtained from an approved firearms instructor. he form cannot be downloaded off the website. A list of approved firearm instructors and curriculum's is provided with the application form or can be accessed below.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statue 29-161z, all Armed Security Officers will now be mandated to take an 8-hour training and firearms qualification course and annually take a refresher course in order to receive and maintain the security officer firearms (blue card endorsement) on their state pistol permit. This course will ensure that Armed Security Officers are trained and qualified with the firearm(s) they will be carrying during the course of their employment.
View all certified security officers firearms instructors
Forms and documents
You can find all the relevant paperwork you may need on our Special Licensing and Firearms Forms and Documents page.