How to become a security guard in Pennsylvania

Every Pennsylvania credential

All 2 individual credentials this regulator issues to security workers, from the entry-level card to specialty and instructor registrations. Rows marked ◇ are drafted from the regulator’s pages and await our reviewer’s sign-off.

Steps to get started

1. For unarmed work, sign the employee's statement and give fingerprints to your employer; Pennsylvania has no statewide unarmed license.
2. For armed work, apply for Act 235 in the State Police TACS system and pay the $50 fee.
3. Get fingerprinted at IdentoGO and complete the physical, vision and psychological exams.
4. After approval, finish the course at a certified school within 6 months (70% academic, 75% firearms), then pay the $30 certification fee.
5. Renew within 6 months before your card expires; an expired certification cannot be renewed.

Act 235 Certified Lethal Weapons Instructor: PSP Lethal Weapons Certification Unit certifies instructors in three ratings (37 Pa. Code 21.41): Academic (criminal justice/law degree or equivalent plus 2 years instructing at a police/security academy), Skills (PE degree + 1 yr LE/security, or HS diploma + 3 yrs as PE/martial-arts instructor) and Firearms (police firearms instructor certification from NRA, Smith & Wesson Academy, FBI or State Police). Apply through TACS; all Act 235 course modules must be taught by certified instructors at PSP-certified schools.

Working armed in Pennsylvania

Armed guards need Act 235 certification: State Police approval (with physical, vision and psychological exams), then a 40-hour course at a certified school within 6 months, renewed every 5 years with an 8-hour course. Act 235 is not a license to carry, so off-duty carry, travel to and from work and concealed carry on duty call for a Pennsylvania license to carry as well.

Act 235 Lethal Weapons Certification: 18+. Physical, vision, hearing and psychological exams by Pennsylvania-licensed providers at the applicant's expense; disqualifiers include any 18 Pa.C.S. 6105 offense, a first-degree misdemeanor or higher, a crime of violence, an active PFA order and a prior involuntary commitment (PSP initial application page). State Police approval comes first and is valid 6 months; pass marks are 70% academic and 75% firearms (37 Pa. Code 21.19). Certified schools publish the firearms course as 40 hours (26 academic + 14 firearms); a non-firearms certification takes the 26-hour academic module only (21.12). Renew within 6 months before expiration with an 8-hour course (3 hours for non-firearms); an expired certification cannot be renewed and the agent must apply as new (21.24). Carry the card on duty and to and from duty while armed (21.26(b)). The certification is not a license to carry (21.26(d); Commonwealth v. Anderson, Pa. Super. 2017). No training waiver for military service or another state's armed license (PSP FAQ).

Keep your Pennsylvania credential alive

The free wallet computes your renewal deadline from Pennsylvania's rules and reminds you at 60, 30, and 7 days. Exam prep for Pennsylvania follows.