North Carolina has established a Private Protective Services Board and a corresponding Licensing Unit to oversee the various categories of security licensees and registrants. North Carolina licenses agencies and entities that provide security services, whether in individual or corporate or other business form. These licensees must register their security officer employees with the Board.
See: NCGS § 74C-11(a)

North Carolina requires licensed security businesses to register their security officer employees and at the same time permits an individual to apply for a license to offer security officer services. Hence, the data below will include both avenues since there is substantial crossover in these designations.

See: A full description of the registration process and its requirements

North Carolina has implemented an online system of application for licensure. See the particulars at:
Online License Application

Unarmed Proprietary Security Guards are exempt from the requirement to register with the Board.
See: NCGS §74C-3 (b) 13

I. Employee Registration
Fees according to 14B NCAC 16 .0702
$30 non refundable initial registration fee;
$30 annual renewal fee

Fees can only be paid through credit card or other forms of electronic funds transfer. There is a $4 convenience fee per transaction.

See: Unarmed Employee Registration Application

Probationary Employee Provisions:

N.C.G.S. 74C-11(a) allow companies to hire unarmed security officers in a “probationary employee” status for up to 20 consecutive days in a calendar year, without having to register those employees. Upon completion of the probationary period and the desire of the licensee to hire the officer as a regular employee, the licensee shall register the employee within 30 days after the probationary employment period ends. Specifically, this amendment does the following:

•Licensees may employ unarmed security guards/officers/unarmed armored car service guards as probationary employees for 20 consecutive days during a calendar year; [Note: this provision may be utilized – licensees are not required to hire guards as probationary employees first]

•Probationary employees do not have to be registered, however, the licensee will be required to submit a list of probationary employees to PPS on a monthly basis; •The probationary employee list must include the name, address, social security number and dates of employment of the employees; [Note: a probationary employee roster has been developed – it is available on our website and we plan to have it available for submission in electronic format as well];

•The licensee must conduct a criminal records check on the individual prior to allowing them to engage in private protective services activities (i.e. to work a post or other assignment as a guard);

•The temporary employee must complete any training requirements the Board deems appropriate, prior to engaging in PPS activities (presently the first four (4) hours of Unarmed Guard training must be completed within the first 20 days of employment or prior to being put on post);

•Upon completion of the 20-day probationary period, the employee becomes a regular employee and must be registered within 30 days of the date regular employment begins; Employees who resign or are terminated prior to or upon completion of the 20-day probation period (unarmed only) do not have to be registered. However, they must appear on the probationary employee list submitted to PPS;

•This amendment replaces subsection (f) in G.S. 74C-11 and eliminates the provision in which a licensee was allowed to employ someone as a security guard for a period of 30 days in a calendar year and not have to register the employee as long as they were reported on a temporary employee roster. Typically, this section of the statute allowed for the use of “seasonal” employees or those hired only for “special events” throughout the year;

•Licensees may continue to utilize seasonal or special event employees as security officers, however, the new probationary employee provisions would apply. If they work beyond the 20 days, they become regular employees.

See:  PPSB registration Procedures

ARMED:  

It shall be unlawful for any person performing private protective services duties to carry a firearm in the performance of those duties without first having met the qualifications of this section and having been issued a firearm registration permit by the Board. A licensee shall register any individual carrying a firearm within 30 days of employment. Before engaging in any private protective services activity, the individual shall receive any required training prescribed by the Board.
See: NCGC §74C-13(a)

Armed proprietary security guards are required to register with the Board.
See: NCGS §74C-3 (b) 13

§ 74C-18. Reciprocity; temporary permit.

(a) To the extent that other states which provide for licensing of any private protective services profession provide for similar action for citizens of this State, the Board, in its discretion, may grant a private protective services license to a nonresident who holds a valid private protective services license of the same type from another state upon satisfactory proof furnished to the Board that the standards of licensure in such other states are at least substantially equivalent to those prevailing in this State. Applicants shall make application to the Board on the form prescribed by the Board for all applicants, shall comply with the provisions of G.S. 74C-10, and shall pay the fees required of all applicants.

(b) The Director, in his or her discretion and subject to the approval of the Board, may issue a temporary permit to a nonresident who has complied with the provisions of G.S. 74C-10 and who is validly licensed in another state to engage in a private protective service activity incidental to a specific case originating in another state. A temporary permit may be issued for a period of no more than 30 days and may be renewed. A temporary permit may contain restrictions which the Board, in its discretion, deems appropriate. (1979, c. 818, s. 2; 1983, c. 67, s. 4; 1989, c. 759, s. 15; 2001-487, s. 64(j); 2022-66, s. 1.)

UNARMED:

14B NCAC 16 .0703(1)
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

ARMED:  

14B NCAC 16 .0801(a)(6)
The applicant must be at least 21 years of age

14B NCAC 16 .0703(2)
An applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien

I. Employee Registrant
None required

II. Individual Licensee
14B NCAC 16 .0201(d)
Each applicant must provide evidence of high school graduation either by diploma, G.E.D. certificate, or other proof.

14B NCAC 16 .0204(a)
Experience requirements shall be determined in the following manner:
(1)  one year experience   =  1,000 hours
(2)  two years experience  =  2,000 hours
(3)  three years experience  =  3,000 hours

An Applicant to provide Security Guard Services as defined by the various Acts, need provide a strong experiential history before a license will be issued.

See: 14B1 NCAC 16 .030 lays out a multitiered series of experience requirements

NCGS 74C – 3(b)
“Private protective services” shall not include any of the following:
(2)  An officer or employee of the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either while the officer or employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment with the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either.
(3)  A person engaged exclusively in the business of obtaining and furnishing information as to the financial rating or credit worthiness of persons; and a person who provides consumer reports.
(13)   A person who works regularly and exclusively as an employee of an employer in connection with the business affairs of that employer. If the employee is an armed security guard and wears, carries, or possesses a firearm in the performance of the employee’s duties, the provisions of G.S. 74C-13 apply
(14)  An employee of a security department of a private business that conducts investigations exclusively on matters internal to the business affairs of the business.

Please see NCGS 74C – 3 for additional exemptions.

UNARMED: Not required

ARMED:  NCGS 74C – 13
(a)  It shall be unlawful for any person performing private protective services duties to carry a firearm in the performance of those duties without first having met the qualifications of this section and having been issued a firearm registration permit by the Board.

(h)   The Board and the Secretary of Public Safety shall establish a firearms training program for licensees and registered employees to be conducted by agencies and institutions approved by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety.

(1) A firearm registration permit grants authority to the armed security guard, or armed private investigator, while in the performance of his or her duties or traveling directly to and from work, to carry any firearm approved by the Board and not otherwise prohibited by law. The use of any firearm not approved by the Board is prohibited

UNARMED:

A licensed employer may not employ an unarmed security guard in a regular position unless the guard has a registration card issued by the Board.
See: NCGS §74C-11(b)

The registration identification card shall be carried by the registrant when performing the duties of a private protective services employee.
See: 14B NCAC 16 .0705(a)

ARMED:

Each firearm registration permit issued under this section to an armed security guard shall be in the form of a pocket card designed by the Board and shall identify the contract security company or proprietary security organization by whom the holder of the firearm registration permit is employed.
See: NCGS §74C-13(d)

I. Employee Registrant and
II. Individual Licensee
14B NCAC 16 .0104
The wearing of the armed or unarmed private protective services card visible on the outermost garment (except foul weather clothing) satisfies the requirements of Subparagraphs (c)(1), (2) and (3) of this Rule.

An applicant for registration shall be of good moral character and temperate habits.
See: 14B NCAC 16 .0703(3)

I. Employee Registrant(14B NCAC 16 .0703(3)) and
II. Individual Licensee (NCGS 74C – 8(d)(2)):
An applicant for registration shall be of good moral character and temperate habits

UNARMED and ARMED:

I. Employee Registrant(14B NCAC 16 .0701(a)(1)) and
II. Individual Licensee (14b NCAC 16 .0201) (a)(1)):
An application must include one set of classifiable fingerprints on an applicant fingerprint card

The card can be obtained at the Private Protective Services office, or upon request it will be mailed.

UNARMED and ARMED: 

I. Employee Registrant (14B NCAC 16 .0703(3)) and
II. Individual Licensee (NCGS 74C – 8(d)(2)):
Any of the following within the last five years shall be prima facie evidence that the applicant does not have good moral character or temperate habits: conviction by any local, state, federal, or military court of any crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a firearm, conviction of any crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance, drug, narcotic, or alcoholic beverage , conviction of a crime involving felonious assault or an act of violence; conviction of a crime involving unlawful breaking and/or entering, burglary, larceny, any offense involving moral turpitude, or a history of addiction to alcohol or a narcotic drug.

UNARMED and ARMED:

I. Employee Registrant – 14B NCAC 16 .0703(4):
An applicant for registration shall not have been not have been judicially declared incompetent or not have been involuntarily committed to an institution for treatment of mental illness. When an individual has been treated and found to have been restored, the Board will consider this evidence and determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of this Rule;
II. Individual Licensee – NCGS 74C-12(a):
The Board may, after compliance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, deny, suspend or revoke a license, registration, or permit issued under this Chapter if it is determined that the applicant:
(19)   Been judged incompetent by a court having jurisdiction under Chapter 35A or former Chapter 35 of the General Statutes or committed to a mental health facility for treatment of mental illness, as defined in G.S. 122C-3, by a court under G.S. 122C-271.

I. Employee Registrant (14B NCAC 16 .0703(3)) and
II. Individual Licensee (NCGS 74C – 8(d)(2)):
Any of the following within the last five years shall be prima facie evidence that the applicant does not have good moral character or temperate habits: conviction by any local, state, federal, or military court of any crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a firearm,
conviction of any crime involving the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance, drug, narcotic, or alcoholic beverage, conviction of a crime involving felonious assault or an act of violence; conviction of a crime involving unlawful breaking and/or entering, burglary, larceny, any offense involving moral turpitude, or
a history of addiction to alcohol or a narcotic drug, provided that, for purposes of (3) of this Rule, “conviction” means and includes the entry of a pleas of guilty, plea of no contest, or a verdict of guilty.

The records search is conducted by PPSBCheck.com in each county/state where the applicant has resided since the age of 18. The criminal record check must not be over sixty (60) days old when received in the Administrative office. You may order your criminal record check via the internet at www.PPSBcheck.com or call 1-877-272-0266, ext 1029. A DD214 is acceptable for military if time was served overseas with an APO/FPO address listed. If the applicant is still on active duty in the U.S. but has served time overseas, a letter from his/her Commanding Officer will be necessary, stating that the applicant had no criminal record during the overseas tour of duty.
See: Registration Procedures

The Board conducts a background check utilizing sources of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
$38 Fingerprint check fee applies

North Carolina now has on online portal for initiating and completing the criminal record check.
See: Online Criminal Record Checks

ARMED and UNARMED:

I. Employee Registrant
Not required

II. Individual Licensee
NCGS 74C – 8(b)(5)
To apply for a license, an applicant must submit a verified application in writing to the Board that includes the names of not less than three unrelated and disinterested persons as references of whom inquiry can be made as to the character, standing, and reputation of the persons making the application.

UNARMED: 

I. Employee Registrant
14B NCAC 16 .0707
(a)  Applicants for an unarmed security guard registration shall complete a basic training course for unarmed security guards within 30 days from the date of permanent hire. The course shall consist of a minimum of 16 hours of classroom instruction including:
(1)  The Security Officer in North Carolina — (minimum of one hour)
(2)  Legal Issues for Security Officers — (minimum of three hours)
(3)  Emergency Response — (minimum of three hours)
(4)  Communications — (minimum of two hours)
(5)  Patrol Procedures — (minimum of three hours)
(6)  Note Taking and Report Writing — (minimum of three hours)
(7)  Deportment — (minimum of one hour)
A minimum of four hours of classroom instruction shall be completed within 20 calendar days of a probationary or regular security guard being placed on a duty station. These four hours shall include The Security Officer in North Carolina and Legal Issues for Security Officers.

(c) The training shall be conducted by a Board certified unarmed security guard trainer.

See: Certificate format for completed training for the Unarmed Guard

The first four hours of unarmed guard training for unarmed guards must be provided within the first twenty (20) days of probationary or regular employment. The remaining twelve (12) hours must be completed within the first thirty (30) days of regular employment.
See: Registration Procedures

ARMED:  

I. Employee Registrant

14B NCAC 16 .0807
(a)  Applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall first complete the basic unarmed security guard training course set forth in Rule .0707 of this Chapter.
(c)  Applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall complete a basic training course for armed security guards which consists of at least 20 hours of classroom instruction including:

(1)  legal limitations on the use of handguns and on the powers and authority of an armed security guard, including familiarity with rules and regulations relating to armed security guards (minimum of four hours)
(2)  handgun safety, including range firing procedures (minimum of one hour)
(3)  handgun operation and maintenance (minimum of three hours)
(4)  handgun fundamentals (minimum of eight hours), and
(5)  night firing (minimum of four hours).

(d)  Applicants for an armed security guard firearm registration permit shall attain a score of at least 80 percent accuracy on a firearms range qualification course adopted by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety, a copy of which is on file in the Director’s office. For rifle qualification all shots shall be located on the target.
(e)  All armed security guard training required by this Chapter shall be administered by a certified trainer and shall be completed no more than 90 days prior to the date of issuance of the armed security guard firearm registration permit.

Please be advised that training requirements may change depending upon the type of weapon. For additional information go to 14B NCAC 16 .0807.

See: Certificate format for completed training for Armed Guard

II. Individual Licensee
The Board may require the applicant to demonstrate the applicant’s qualifications by oral or written examination or by successful completion of a Board-approved training program, or all three.

(1)   The basic training course approved by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety shall consist of a minimum of four hours of classroom training which shall include all of the following:
a.   Legal limitations on the use of hand guns and on the powers and authority of an armed security guard.
b.   Familiarity with this section.
c.   Range firing and procedure and hand gun safety and maintenance.
d.   Any other topics of armed security guard training curriculum which the Board deems necessary.
(2)   An applicant for a firearm registration permit must fire a minimum qualifying score to be determined by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety on any approved target course approved by the Board and the Secretary of Public Safety.
(3)   A firearms registrant must complete a refresher course and shall requalify on the prescribed target course prior to the renewal of his or her firearm registration permit.

Not Required

I. Employee Registrant
The rules are silent as to child support and the registered employee. However, the licensure applicant need comply with the following authority.

II. Individual Licensee
NCGS 50-13.12(b)
Upon a finding by the district court judge that the obligor is willfully delinquent in child support payments equal to at least one month’s child support, or upon a finding that a person has willfully failed to comply with a subpoena issued pursuant to a child support or paternity establishment proceeding, and upon findings as to any specific licensing privileges held by the obligor or held by the person subject to the subpoena, the court may revoke some or all of such privileges until the obligor shall have paid the delinquent amount in full, or, as applicable, until the person subject to the subpoena has complied with the subpoena.

• I. Employee Registrant
  •   Unarmed Registration Application•   Information on Registration Procedure (PDF)

  II. Individual Licensee
  •   License Application (PDF)

  •   Application Checklist

  General
  •   North Carolina Department of Public Safety Private Protective Services Board:

• Department of Public Safety Documents and FormsStatutory Authority:
  •  North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS)
  •   North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC)