New Jersey: Armed Security Officers
Legislation and Details for New Jersey
New Jersey Permanent Statutes
Title 45 – Professions and Occupations
Chapter 45:19A – Security Officer Registration Act
and
New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 13 – Law and Public Safety
Chapter 55A – Security Officers and Security Officer Companies
In New Jersey, there are various pre-license steps taken before actual issuance of a license.
After meeting age requirements and an acceptable background review, the applicant then must complete training under a specified program.
To receive a license, the applicant must be employed.
SORA C.45:19A-4:
4.a. A person shall not be employed as a security officer by a security officer company or a company maintaining a proprietary or in-house security function, or perform the functions and activities of a security officer, unless that person is registered with the Superintendent as required in this section.
The armed security officer certification does NOT authorize the applicant or card holder to carry a firearm.
The certification only permits the applicant or card hodler to legally work for a security company as an armed guard, after they have FIRST obtained
approval for the State of New Jersey Permit to Carry A Handgun.
To obtain this permit, the individual has to make a separate application for a State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun at through the municipal police department at their residence. To obtain a carry permit you must first make a separate application for a State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun through the municipal police department where you reside as per N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.
For more information see: njsp.org
See: Armed Security Officer FAQ
New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) § 13:55A-3.2/ 13:55A-3.6
$75 Application fee
$66.05 Fingerprints check fee (by MorphoTrust)
$59.91 Fingerprints check fee ( by “ink and roll”)
$78.75 Renewal fee (The SORA card requires renewal every two years)*Includes FP Archive Fee of $18.75
C.45:19A-4(b)(1)/ NJAC § 13:55A-3.1
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age
2C:58-6.1
Possession of firearms by minors; exceptions. 14. a. No person under the age of 18 years shall purchase, barter or otherwise acquire a firearm and no person under the age of 21 years shall purchase, barter or otherwise acquire a handgun, unless the person is authorized to possess the handgun in connection with the performance of official duties under the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-6
Not Required
NJAC § 13:55A-1.2
The rules of this chapter shall only apply to security officer companies and security officers as defined under N.J.A.C.13:55A-1.3 and shall not apply to security officers hired for proprietary or internal purposes by a company not engaged in the security officer business. Moreover, the rules of this chapter shall only apply to duly sworn law enforcement officers seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer, who will be receiving compensation for his or her services directly from a licensed security officer company and shall not apply to duly sworn law enforcement officers working under color of law.
C. 45:19A-4(a)
A person shall not be employed as a security officer by a security officer company or a company maintaining a proprietary or in-house security function, or perform the functions and activities of a security officer, unless that person is registered with the superintendent as required in this section.
The requirements of this section shall not apply to:
(1) a loss prevention employee.
(2) an employee of a company whose business includes hosting sporting and entertainment events at an arena or stadium where a State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency is on the premises during the event and whose in-house security employees do not carry handguns or other licensed weapons.
(3) a security officer employed by a company maintaining a proprietary or in-house security function whose in-house security employees do not carry handguns or other licensed weapons, or
(4) a security employee regulated under federal law. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
Any duly sworn law enforcement officer seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer, who will be receiving compensation for his/her services directly from a licensed security officer company, shall submit an application for registration as a security officer and submit the required fees in accordance with (a) and (b) above. A duly sworn law enforcement officer seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer shall be exempt from the requirements of (c) above.
(e) Any duly sworn law enforcement officer who performs the functions and activities of a security officer pursuant to an agreement between a law enforcement agency and a private contractor, and receives compensation from the law enforcement agency, shall be deemed to be employed within the scope of his employment with the law enforcement agency and shall be exempt from the requirements of (a) through (c) above.
Any applicant who shall complete a security officer training course, approved by the Superintendent, within 30 days of employment or prior to the expiration of the temporary certificate of registration issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:55A-3.3.
State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun is required.
NJAC §13:55A-3.5
(b) Upon completion of the required security officer training course, applicants having met the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:55A-3.2(a) through (c) shall be issued a security officer identification card which shall be valid only so long as the person retains a valid certificate of registration as a security officer.
In addition to the security officer identification card, the security company employing the security officer shall issue a company identification card to any security officer it employs.
The security officer shall carry his or her company identification card and his or her security officer identification card, whenever employed as or performing the functions of a security officer.
See: NJAC §13:55A-6.2
NJAC § 13:55A-3.7(a)(7)
The Superintendent may deny any initial application for a security officer certificate of registration, revoke or suspend any current certificate of registration, or refuse to renew any certificate of registration if the person holding a certificate, applying for a certification, or applying for renewal of certification, has demonstrated bad moral character, incompetence, or untrustworthiness.
C.45:19A-4(c)
Each applicant shall submit to the Superintendent the applicant’s fingerprints and written consent for a criminal history record background check to be performed. The Superintendent shall compare these to fingerprints on file with the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, consistent with applicable State and federal laws, rules and regulations. The applicant shall bear the cost for the criminal history record background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check.
NJAC § 13:55A-3.7
a) The Superintendent may deny any initial application for a security officer certificate of registration, revoke or suspend any current certificate of registration, or refuse to renew any certificate of registration, for any of the following reasons:
2. The person holding a certificate, applying for certification, or applying for renewal of certification, has been convicted of any offense involving the unlawful use, possession, or sale, of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2.
NJAC § 13:54-1.5
(b) A permit to purchase a handgun, or a firearm purchaser identification card, shall not be issued to any person:
2. Who is drug dependent as defined by N.J.S.A. 24:21-2.
4. Who is a habitual drunkard or an alcoholic
NJAC § 13:54-1.5
(a) A permit to purchase a handgun and form of register, or a State of New Jersey firearms purchaser identification card, shall not be issued:
2. To any drug dependent person as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1970, c. 226 (N.J.S.A. 24:21-2), to any person who is confined for a mental disorder to a hospital, mental institution or sanitarium, or to any person who is presently a habitual drunkard.
3. To any person who suffers from a physical defect or disease which would make it unsafe for him or her to handle firearms, to any person who has ever been confined for a mental disorder, or to any alcoholic unless any of the foregoing persons produces a certificate of a medical doctor or psychiatrist licensed in New Jersey, or other satisfactory proof, that he or she is no longer suffering from that particular disability in such a manner that would interfere with or handicap him or her in the handling of firearms; to any person who knowingly falsifies any information on the application form for a handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card.
4. To any person under the age of 18 years for a State of New Jersey firearms purchaser identification card and to any person under the age of 21 years for a permit to purchase a handgun and form of register.
5. To any person where the issuance would not be in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare.
6. To any person who is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, P.L. 1991, c. 261 (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17et seq.) prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm.
7. To any person who as a juvenile was an adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime and the offense involved the unlawful use or possession of a weapon, explosive or destructive device or is enumerated in subsection d. of section 2 of P.L. 1997, c. 117 (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2).
8. To any person whose firearm is seized pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, P.L. 1991, c. 261 (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq.) and whose firearm has not been returned. or
9. To any person named in a consolidated Terrorist Watch List maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Complete background checks and criminal history reviews are done by the new jersey state bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation.
C.45:19A-4
b. An application for registration as a security officer shall be filed with the Superintendent on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent and shall set forth under oath:
(3) that the applicant has not been convicted of any disqualifying crime or offense as set forth in subsection c. of this section
c. No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree; any offense involving the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2; or any offense where the registration of the individual would be contrary to the public interest, as determined by the Superintendent.
NJAC § 13:55A-3.7
(a) The Superintendent may deny any initial application for a security officer certificate of registration, revoke or suspend any current certificate of registration, or refuse to renew any certificate of registration, for any of the following reasons:
1. The person holding a certificate, applying for certification, or applying for renewal of certification, has been convicted of any act or acts which would be a first, second, third, or fourth degree crime under Title 2C, New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice.
NJAC § 13:54-1.5
(a) A permit to purchase a handgun and form of register, or a State of New Jersey firearms purchaser identification card, shall not be issued:
1. To any person who has been convicted of any crime, or a disorderly persons offense involving an act of domestic violence as defined in section 3 of P.L. 1991, c. 261 (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19), whether or not armed with or possessing a weapon at the time of such offense.
NJAC §13:54-1.5(b)(1)
(b) A permit to purchase a handgun, or a firearm purchaser identification card, shall not be issued to any person:
1. Who has been convicted of any crime.
13:55A-3.2 Application for a certificate of registration as a security officer
(c) Any person seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer shall submit fingerprints and a written consent for a criminal history background check to the Superintendent or in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent. Applicants for registration as a security officer shall bear the cost for the criminal history background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check, as required by N.J.A.C. 13:59
NJAC § 13:54-1.4
(c) The applicant shall provide the names and addresses of two reputable citizens personally acquainted with him as references.
NJAC § 13:55A-4.1
(a) Except as provided in N.J.S.A. 13:55A-3.4 (b), a person seeking to be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer must complete an approved 24-hour course of classroom instruction taught by a certified security officer instructor.
(b) The course of instruction shall include, but not be limited to, a minimum of two hours of instruction in each of the following general subject areas:
1. Homeland security and counter-terrorism
2. Communications/emergency response
3. Theft prevention
4. Limits on the use of force
5. Detention of suspects
6. Ethics and professional conduct
7. First aid/CPR/AED, and
8. Any other subject areas the Superintendent determines are necessary in the interest of public safety.
NJAC § 13:55A-4.2
(a) Except for law enforcement officers exempt from initial training under N.J.A.C. 13:55A- 3.4(b), all registered security officers shall complete an approved eight-hour refresher course of classroom instruction taught by a certified security officer instructor prior to having the certification renewed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:55A-3.6.
(b) The course of instruction shall include, but not be limited to, additional instruction in each of the general subject areas listed in N.J.A.C. 13:55A-4.1(b).
13:54-2.4 Application for a permit to carry a handgun
(a) Every person applying for a permit to carry a handgun shall furnish such information and particulars as set forth in the application form designated SP 642. The application shall be signed by the applicant under oath and shall be
endorsed by three reputable persons who have known the applicant for at least three years preceding the date of
application, and who shall also certify thereon that the applicant is a person of good moral character and behavior.
Applications can be obtained at police departments and State Police stations.
(b) Each applicant shall demonstrate a thorough familiarity with the safe handling and use of handguns by indicating
in the space provided therefor on the application form, and on any sworn attachments thereto, any relevant information.
Thorough familiarity with the safe handling and use of handguns may be evidenced by:
1. Completion of a firearms training course substantially equivalent to the firearms training approved by the Police
Training Commission as described by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6j;
2. Submission of an applicant’s most recent handgun qualification scores utilizing the handgun(s) he or she intends to
carry as evidenced by test firings administered by a certified firearms instructor of a police academy, a certified firearms
instructor of the National Rifle Association, or any other recognized certified firearms instructor;
3. Completion of a course or test in the safe handling of a handgun administered by a certified firearms instructor of
a police academy, a certified firearms instructor of the National Rifle Association, or any other recognized certified
firearms instructor; or
4. Passage of any test in this State’s laws governing the use of force administered by a certified instructor of a police
academy, a certified instructor of the National Rifle Association, or any other recognized certified instructor.
Obtaining the armed designation will call upon the applicant to maneuver through two licensing processes- first under the SORA Act and secondly, under the law and legislation which guide New Jersey weaponry permits. The armed security officer certification does NOT authorize the applicant or card holder to carry a firearm. The certification only permits the applicant or cardholder to legally work for a security company as an armed guard, after they have first obtained approval for the State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun. make a separate application for a State of New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun through the municipal police department where you reside as per N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 to get the process started.
To renew said armed certification, the officer shall have to take an annual 8 hour refresher course under the tutelage of an approved instructor.
Not Required
2A:17-56.41(3)(a)
If the child support arrearage equals or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months or court-ordered health care coverage for the child is not provided for six months, or the obligor fails to respond to a subpoena relating to a paternity or child support action, or a child support-related warrant exists, and the obligor is found to possess a license in the State and all appropriate enforcement methods to collect the child support arrearage have been exhausted, the Probation Division shall send a written notice to the obligor, by certified and regular mail, return receipt requested, at the obligor’s last-known address or place of business or employment, advising the obligor that the obligor’s license may be revoked or suspended unless, within 30 days of the postmark date of the notice, the obligor pays the full amount of the child support arrearage, or provides proof that health care coverage for the child has been obtained, or responds to a subpoena, or makes a written request for a court hearing to the Probation Division.
Forms:
• Individual Application for Security Officer
• Application for Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and/or Handgun Purchase Permit
• New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit
New Jersey Laws and Rules:
• New Jersey Statutes
• New Jersey Administrative Code
• For some recent changes to the law on armed security guards, see: Armed Security Officer