Oklahoma: Unarmed Security Officers
Legislation and Details for Oklahoma
Oklahoma Statutes Title 59- Professions and Occupations §1750.1 through §1750.14
and
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) Title 390 Chapter 35
Beginning November 1, 2022, unarmed security officers will be allowed to work for 45 days while their “conditional” license application is being processed.
In Oklahoma no person may be employed or operate as a security guard until a license therefor has been issued by CLEET.
See: 59 OK Stat §59-1750.4
An individual has to be employed or contracted by a security agency to perform the duties of a security guard.
See: 59 OK Stat §59-1750.2.7
Proprietary security guards are exempt from the requirement of licensure.
See: 59 OK Stat §59-1750.2.7.a
UNARMED:
$91 License fee, consisting of $50 application and $41 fingerprint fee
$50 Renewal
ARMED:
$141 License fee, consisting of $100 application fee and $41 fingerprinting fee
$50 Upgrade from Unarmed to Armed License
$100 Renewal
A license is valid for three years.
See: 59 OK Stat §59-1750.6.4.C
Temporary work allowed while unlicensed: According to the CLEET web site: Pursuant to the Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigator Act and effective November 1, 2022, Private Security Guard Agencies may hire unarmed security guards and allow them to work unlicensed for up to forty-five (45) days while their complete application to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training is being processed. The application must be complete, including fingerprints, and the application fee must be paid. Please Note: The forty-five (45) day countdown begins on the date of employment, not the date the application is submitted, so it is recommended that employees submit their application as soon as possible to take advantage of the grace period. If the application of the unlicensed unarmed guard is denied before forty-five (45) days has expired or if the time expires before the license is issued, the employee will not be allowed to continue to operate as an unarmed security guard until a license is issued.
Temporary Out-of-State License -This does not have a firearms provision. Rule: 390:35-5-11:
Any private investigator, or security guard who is duly licensed in another state as a security guard or private investigator may obtain a temporary license to conduct business in this state subject to the following provisions:
(1) Said private investigator or security guard must immediately, or as soon as possible, register with CLEET;
(2) Provide proof of a valid license granted by another state;
(3) Provide proof of adequate financial responsibility in the form of insurance or surety bond as set forth in the rules of this Chapter; and
(4) Provide a general description of business to be conducted.
(5) No temporary license shall be granted to authorize the possession or use of firearms.
(6) A person obtaining temporary authorization shall not violate any federal, state or municipal laws, or the provisions of the rules of this Chapter.
(7) Any security guard or private investigator who is licensed in another state and conducts business pursuant to this Act for a period of longer than thirty (30) days, shall be required to obtain a regular license.
UNARMED:
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.2: Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
ARMED:
According to Oklahoma Statutes (OS) § 59-1750.5(H)(2): Applicant must be at least 21 years of age
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.1
The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or an alien legally residing in the United States.
Not Required
UNARMED:
According to Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) § 390:35-5-5:
(a) If a peace officer who is ordinarily exempt from licensing chooses to become licensed as a security guard or private investigator shall comply with 59 O.S. Section 1750.1 et seq., and these rules in all respects.
(b) The peace officer exemption shall not apply in the following applications of the Act:
(1) When a peace officer contracts with an employer to provide other guardsor to supervise others who are providing security guard services;
(2) No peace officer or reserve peace officer may wear his official police uniform and insignia while working in a capacity of a licensed security guard, except when the policies of his employing law enforcement agency, and the agency in whose jurisdiction he is so privately employed, allow him to do so;
(3) CLEET certified peace officers, whether full-time or reserve, may be given comparable training credit for successful completion of their CLEET basic peace officer or basic reserve officer certification training, when applying for a private security license;
ARMED:
(4) Active peace officers are exempt from the psychological evaluation that is required for armed security guard applicants. Retired peace officers are exempt from the psychological evaluation for a period of one (1) year from the date of their retirement. This exemption shall apply to any person who possesses CLEET peace officer certification, except when such person has been terminated from a law enforcement agency for failure to exercise appropriate judgement, restraint, and self-control in the use of force, or when there exists clear and convincing evidence of such;
(5) Reserve peace officers are not exempt from the psychological evaluation required for an armed security guard license, unless they are in the active service of a law enforcement agency as a reserve peace officer at the time of application.
Not Required
According to OAC §390:35-5-9
(a) An identification card shall be issued to all licensees. This card shall clearly indicate that the licensee is authorized by the State of Oklahoma to conduct business as a security guard, armed security guard, or private investigator, or armed private investigator.
(d) The licensee shall carry his identification card on his person at all times while acting within the course and scope of his employment as a security guard or private investigator.
Each security guard, armed security guard, or private investigator licensed pursuant to this act shall carry a valid driver license or state-issued photo identification card and an identification card issued by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training at all times while on duty as a security guard.
See: 59 OK Stat §59-1750.9.A
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.4
The applicant must be of good moral character.
According to Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) § 390:35-7-8(e)
Two sets of fingerprints must be submitted with the application. The applicant must provide CLEET and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation with individual fingerprints for a state and national criminal history records search.
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.7
The applicant must make a statement regarding any history of illegal drug use or alcohol abuse.
UNARMED:
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.7
The applicant must make a statement whether the applicant is currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition or disorder, as well as whether the applicant has been adjudicated incompetent or committed to a mental institution.
ARMED:
According to OAC § 390:35-15-6(a):
While in firearms training, students shall be administered a Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), or a CLEET approved equivalent psychological examination, by a person qualified to administer such examinations. The school coordinator shall arrange for the examinations to be evaluated by a licensed psychologist of each student’s choice and at each student’s expense. The results of the psychological evaluations shall be forwarded to CLEET by the evaluating psychologist on forms to be provided by CLEET.
However, according to OAC § 390:35-5-5(b)(4):
Active, full-time peace officers are exempt from the psychological evaluation that is required for armed security guard applicants. Retired, full-time peace officers are exempt from the psychological evaluation for a period of one (1) year from the date of their retirement. This exemption shall apply to any person who possesses CLEET peace officer certification, except when such person has been terminated from a law enforcement agency for failure to exercise appropriate judgment, restraint, and self-control in the use of force, or when there exists clear and convincing evidence of such.
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.6
the applicant must not have:
• A record of a felony conviction
• A record of conviction for larceny, theft, false pretense, fraud, embezzlement, false personation of an officer, any offense involving moral turpitude, any offense involving a minor as a victim, any nonconsensual sex offense, any offense involving the possession, use, distribution, or sale of a controlled dangerous substance, any offense involving a firearm, or any other offense as prescribed by the Council, as provided herein.
Not Required
According to 59 OK Stat §59-1750.5.H.3
The applicant must successfully complete training requirements for the license applied for, as prescribed by CLEET.
Oklahoma is flexible on the program of study and the provider. CLEET encourages schooling from the association and professional groups as well as aligned occupations such as lawyers and district attorneys’ colleges both, public and private. Courses need to be approved; all schools, school coordinators, and instructors must be approved by CLEET.
See: OAR 390:35-15-2
UNARMED: Security guard license applicants must successfully complete the approved “Security Guard Training Course” consisting of:
Phase 1 – “Basic” – A course of instruction related to general private security tasks (20 hours);
Phase 2 – “Security Guard” – A course of instruction specifically related to the task of unarmed security guards (20 hours).
See: OAR 390:35-15-1
ARMED:
In addition to meeting requirements above, armed guards must also complete the following:
Phase IV—Firearms –(32 hours)
Continuing Education Requirement--8 hours (both ARMED and UNARMED)
According to OAR 390:35-7-8 (n)
The applicant is required to pass the Unarmed Security Guard Exam.
UNARMED: Phase I/II Unarmed Security Guard Exam
ARMED: Phase I/II Unarmed Security Guard Exam and Phase IV Firearms Exam