Alabama: Armed Security Officers
Legislation and Details for Alabama
Alabama Security Regulatory Board (ASRB)
Code of Alabama 1975, §34-27C
Chapter 832-X-1 Administration & Procedure
In Alabama, individual security officer are licensed when employed. Proprietary security officers are exempt from this requirement. The statute states in part:
A security officer is a person employed under contract, whose principal purpose is to protect a person or persons or property from criminal activity.
See: Section 34-27C-1(9)
Any security guard, armed security guard, or contract security company providing private security services in this state shall apply to the board for a license.
See: AL Code §34-27C-4(a)
An armed security officer shall apply for and have his or her pistol permit issued by the sheriff of the county of his or her residence. It is a violation of this chapter for any security officer to carry a firearm in the performance of his or her duties without holding a valid certification card for an armed security officer issued by the board.
See: Section 34-27C-11
According to Section 34-27C-4 (g)(2)
(2) Each security officer or armed security officer requesting or renewing a license shall pay a nonrefundable security license fee to the board upon application to be determined by the board that does not exceed one hundred dollars ($100) and may not be increased more than twenty-five dollars ($25) per licensing period. The license issued to a security officer or armed security officer shall expire two years from the date of issuance.
Fees:
$50 Personal license
$38.25 Criminal Background check fee
$88.25 Total initial and renewal application fee
Renewal required every two years. See Renewal Application.
$25 Personal license late fee
$10 Personal license replacement
Temporary Licensure
Alabama permits security licensees to commence their work and employment using a “temporary” license which is a tear off
sheet from the original application. The Rules states in part:
Chapter 832-X-1-4
(2) Temporary license or certification. (a) Applicants for a license with the Board shall retain a certified copy of the temporary license until a license is issued or denied by the Board.
See: Alabama Security Regulatory Board
Alabama grants reciprocity to other state licensure processes, recognizing Alabama, regarding “pistol permits”- a fact relevant to armed
security officers with non-Alabama permits. The Code states:
Chapter 832-X-1- .02
(6) Pistol Permits. (a) A valid “pistol license”, “pistol permit”, or similar license or permit issued in the State of
Alabama or any state offering unrestricted reciprocity for State of Alabama pistol license or permit holders shall meet the “pistol permit” requirement of §34-27C-11.
During an official declaration of Emergency, licensure rules for both companies and individuals can be waived.
The Alabama Rules and Regulations state:
832-X-1-.13
State Of Emergency License Procedures. (1) Upon the declaration of the Governor of a state of emergency,
the Board may authorize the operation of an out-of-state contract security company and their licensed security guards
within the state for the duration of the state of emergency and up to a maximum of 30 days after the expiration of the state of emergency.
See: Alabama Security Regulatory Board
According to Section 34-27C-4 (d)(1)
At least 21 years old
According to Section 34-27C-4 (d)(2)
Must be a citizen or resident alien of the U.S
Not required
Exemptions from basic training requirements:
According to Section 34-27C-8(d)
• Any security officer who, within three years before applying for certification, completed basic security training through a military, government or security training institute, that meets or exceeds the training required by the board (Annual training requirements still remain).
• Any security officer employed by a contract security company that has a training curriculum and standards, that the board determined, upon presentation of proof of training, meet or exceed those required by the board.
• Employed or retired sworn peace officer.
According to 832-X-1-.08(1)
• (b) Any person who has minimum of five years of continuous experience as a Security Officer or Armed Security Officer at the time of application to the Board shall not be subject to the eight hours of classroom training required in §34-27C-8(a) if a Certified Trainer certifies the person has received at least 8 hours of classroom training as specified in §34-27C- 8(a) at any time during the applicant’s current period of employment.
• (d) An applicant for a personal license claiming an exemption for training requirements as permitted by 34C-27-8(d) shall provide proof of training received or prior continuous experience as requested by the Board. Failure or refusal to provide the requested proof shall be grounds for denial of licensure by the Board.
According to 832-X-1-.09(1)
• Any person performing any regulated work activity on less than 30 calendar days in any calendar year is exempt from the individual license requirements of the Act.
According to Section 34-27C-11
Applicants shall apply for and have his or her pistol permit issued by the sheriff of the county of his or her residence.
According to Alabama Law Section 34-27C-7 (a)
A license card issued by the board shall be carried by each security officer and armed security officer while performing his or her duties. It is a violation of this chapter for any security officer to carry a firearm in the performance of his or her duties without holding a valid license or certification card for an armed security officer issued by the board. A temporary card shall be issued by the board and be in the possession of the applicant or licensee while working as a security officer or armed security officer pending the application process, the completion of training, and the issuance of his or her license or certification.
No baseline requirement
The applicant shall submit two complete sets of fingerprints to the board.
One of the requirements for an individual to request their own criminal history record information is that the individual to provide ALEA with a classifiable set of his or her own fingerprints (taken by an authorized law enforcement agency with an FBI-issued ORI) with his or her application to Review or Challenge his or her own Alabama criminal history. It is the APPLICANT’s responsibility to mail the completed CHRI request form, along with his/her own fingerprint card and the other required documents to:
Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1511
According to Section 34-27C-4 (d)(3)(c)
Applicant must provide a sworn statement that he or she is not suffering from habitual drunkenness or from narcotics addiction or dependence. The Board may require certified results of medical tests for drug or alcohol use.
According to Section 34-27C-4 (d)(3)(b)
Applicant must provide a sworn statement that he or she has never been declared, by any court of competent jurisdiction, incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease, and competency has not been restored
According to Section 34-27C-4 (d)(3)(a)
Applicant must provide a sworn statement that he or she has never been convicted in any jurisdiction of the United States of any felony or crime involving moral turpitude for which a full pardon has not been granted.
According to Section 34-27C-4 (e)
In addition, an applicant must provide a sworn form containing the name, date of birth and Social Security number for completion of a criminal history background check of which he will borne the costs for, as well as two complete sets of fingerprints to the board.
According to 832-X-1-.05 Disqualifying Convictions:
(1) Felony Convictions
(a) Any person convicted of a felony offense will not be eligible for a license from the Board, unless a full pardon has been granted.
(2) Misdemeanor Convictions
(a) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude or any similar offense, excluding all sexual and violent offenses (see Section (b) and (c)), will not be eligible for a license from the Board within five (5) calendar years of their most recent conviction, unless a full pardon has been granted.
(b) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor violent offense will not be eligible for a license from the Board within (10) calendar years of their most recent conviction, unless a full pardon has been granted.
(c) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor sexual offense will not be eligible for a license from the Board, unless a full pardon has been granted.
(3) The Board will not issue or renew a license to any person who is required to register as a sex offender in any State or competent jurisdiction.
(4) The Board will not issue or renew Armed Security Officer license or Certified Trainer 2 certification to any person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm by any section of any state law or the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44), as amended.
Applicants are required to release and authorize a full background review and criminal history by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to Section 34-27C-4 (b)(4)
The names of at least three unrelated and disinterested persons should be provided as references for board inquiries regarding the character, standing and reputation of the applicant.
Applicants must successfully meet the training requirements for the unarmed officer and then encounter the armed requirements. An armed security officer will need 14 hours of training. He or she will need to pass a qualifying course as part of his or her training.
832-X-1-.08 -2 (d) Approved firearms qualification courses:
1. The Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission qualification course of fire, target, scoring method and
minimum score for handgun, shotgun and/or rifle to be used that is current at the time of qualification is an approved qualification
course for Armed Security Officers.
(i) Active peace officers who successfully complete the mandatory annual Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training
Commission qualification course as a requirement of employment have met the requirements of this section.
2. Any National Rifle Association (NRA) course of fire, target, scoring method and minimum score for handgun, shotgun, or
rifle that is officially approved by the NRA Law Enforcement Activities Division for use by a NRA-defined “Private Law Enforcement
Organization” for firearms qualification is an approved qualification course for Armed Security Officers.
(i) A Contract Security Company utilizing any NRA firearm qualification course must apply for, receive from, and maintain an
“Agency Affiliation” with the NRA and must follow all NRA LawEnforcement Activities Division rules applicable to a “Private Law
Enforcement Organization”.
3. The Alabama Security Regulatory Board approved firearm qualification course for handgun, shotgun and rifle is an approved qualification course for Armed Security Officers.
Firearms Safety Training as required by §34-27C-8(c) shall include, but may not be limited to, achieving a passing score
on a Board-mandated qualification course with the make, model, or caliber handgun, shotgun and/or rifle to be used, instruction on the
use of force laws of the State of Alabama, and instruction on the safe handling and storage of firearms.
Alabama certifies and trains armed officers in three categories: Handgun, rifle and shotgun. Each of these certifications is a combination of classroom and range instruction.
For a full discussion of the requirements, see Chapter 832-X-1-.08 Training (pages 18-23)
The handgun qualification requirements, by way of illustration are:
(10) Firearms: Handgun Qualification Course:
(a) The Alabama Security Regulatory Board Handgun Qualification Course shall be;
(b) Total Rounds: 30
(c) Approved Target: Standard FBI “Q” target, any color, paper or cardboard.
(d) Scoring: All shot holes completely inside of the scoring silhouette count. Shot holes breaking the edge of the scoring silhouette or outside of the silhouette DO NOT COUNT.
(e) Passing Score: 80% (24 rounds completely inside the scoring silhouette)
(f) Ammunition Management is the responsibility of the shooter. Shooters reload ON THEIR OWN. No reloading commands or reminders will be given during the course of fire.
(g) Start position is from secured holster with hands at side OR from a two-handed Ready Position as noted. Two-handed shooting is permitted for all Stages.
(h) After completing a string of fire, shooters should LOWER their weapon below their line of sight, SCAN the surrounding area for other threats. Once the SCAN is complete, shooters shall either HOLSTER and SECURE their handgun or remain at a Ready Position (as noted).
(i) Reloading and any actions after the required number of rounds fired in a string are not timed.
(j) A shooter must complete the entire course of fire once the first shot is fired during a qualification attempt. Shooters who do not complete the course of fire, or who do not achieve a PASS score, must fire the entire course again, not just the incomplete or failed portion.
(k) STAGE ONE: 3 YARDS
1. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 5 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
2. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 5 seconds: Lower, Scan, Ready Position.
3. From Ready Position, fire 3 rounds in 4 seconds: Lower, Scan, Ready Position.
4. From Ready Position, fire 3 rounds in 4 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
(l) STAGE TWO: 7 YARDS
1. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
2. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
3. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
(m) STAGE THREE: 15 YARDS
(1) Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
(2) Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.
(3) Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, UNLOAD and let the Instructor verify that the weapon is unloaded, Holster & Secure (unloaded).
Refresher Training:
According to the Renewal Application, refresher training is as follows:
*Renewal training requirement (every two years): a minimum of 8 hours of refresher training from a certified trainer
*Annually: a minimum of 2 hours of ANNUAL refresher Armed Security Officer training from a certified trainer.
According to 832-X-1-.08 Training. (1) General Training Requirement
1. Successful completion of Board mandated training shall be determined by the attendee achieving an acceptable score on a written test related to the course subject matter or achieving an acceptable qualification score on a firearm qualification course.
80% Passage rate on combined classroom and range testing.
According to Ala. Code §§ 30-3-170 through 30-3-179
Failure to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings, may bring to a suspension or revocation of an occupational license
See: Alabama Code Title 30. Marital and Domestic Relations § 30-3-170