State license required
How to become a security guard in Virginia
Last reviewed August 28, 2026 · Regulator: Virginia Dept. of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
Virginia registers security officers through DCJS. Unarmed officers complete the 18-hour entry-level core course (01E) with a written exam; armed officers add 16 hours of handgun training. Registrations renew every 2 years with in-service training.
At a glance
Steps to get started
- Complete the 18-hour entry-level core course (01E) with a DCJS-approved provider and pass the written exam.
- Submit fingerprints for state and FBI checks and apply to DCJS ($39).
- For armed work, add the 16-hour handgun course and the annual firearm endorsement.
- Renew every 2 years with the 4-hour in-service refresher (01I).
Unarmed Security Officer Registration: Unarmed officers may work up to 90 days while completing training if fingerprints were submitted at hiring.
Working armed in Virginia
Armed officers (21+) add 16 hours of handgun training covering marksmanship, low-light, and judgmental shooting; the firearm endorsement renews annually with a 4-hour handgun refresher.
Armed Security Officer Registration: 18-hour core plus 16-hour handgun training (marksmanship, low-light, judgmental shooting). The firearms endorsement renews annually with retraining. Must be 21+.
Sources
tessura is an independent study and career tool, not affiliated with any state agency. Rules change — always confirm current requirements with the regulator before relying on them.
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