Texas Security Officer Licensing & Training Requirements
Security officers in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Private Security Program. Individuals who perform security services must meet applicable licensing, training, background-check, and eligibility requirements established under the Texas Occupations Code and Texas Administrative Code.
Non-Commissioned Security Officers – Level II
A Non-Commissioned Security Officer generally performs unarmed security duties. To apply as a Non-Commissioned Security Officer in Texas, an applicant must:
- Complete the required Level II Security Officer Training Course.
- Successfully complete the required Level II examination.
- Submit an individual license application through Texas Online Private Security (TOPS).
- Submit the required fees and documentation.
- Provide electronic fingerprints as required by DPS.
- Undergo a fingerprint-based FBI criminal history background check.
- Meet all eligibility requirements established by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Be affiliated with a properly licensed Texas security company before DPS will issue the security officer pocket card.
Level II training must be conducted in accordance with Texas DPS requirements by an authorized security company or an appropriately licensed training school/instructor.
Commissioned Security Officers – Level III
A Commissioned Security Officer is authorized by the Texas Department of Public Safety to perform armed security duties, subject to applicable law and licensing requirements.
Applicants seeking a Security Officer Commission must complete additional requirements, including:
- Level II Security Officer Training
- Level III Security Officer Training
- Required Level III examination
- Required firearms training and course of fire
- Application through TOPS
- Electronic fingerprinting and criminal history background check
- Required psychological and emotional health documentation
- All other eligibility and licensing requirements established by Texas DPS
The Texas DPS Level III course is a minimum 45-hour training course and includes firearms training and qualification.
An individual may not work in an armed security capacity unless properly licensed and commissioned by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Working Prior to Receiving a License
Texas law provides limited circumstances in which an applicant may work in an unarmed capacity while an application is being processed, provided the applicable application, fingerprinting, background-check, employer-verification, and other statutory requirements have been satisfied.
This provision does not authorize an applicant to work as an armed Commissioned Security Officer before the required commission has been issued.
Applicants should confirm their current eligibility and license status through Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) before beginning work.
Texas Security Officer Pocket Card
Individual security officer licenses issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety are commonly referred to as pocket cards.
An applicant may submit an application without initially being affiliated with a security company; however, a pocket card will not be issued until the individual becomes affiliated with a properly licensed company.
Once issued, security officers must comply with Texas DPS requirements regarding possession of their license while performing regulated security duties.
Background Check & Fingerprinting
New Texas private security applicants are generally required to submit electronic fingerprints to DPS through the approved fingerprinting provider.
The Texas Department of Public Safety conducts a fingerprint-based FBI criminal history background check as part of the licensing process. Applicants must also meet the criminal-history and other eligibility requirements established by Texas law and DPS rules.
Important Notice
Security officer licensing requirements may change. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they satisfy the most current requirements of the Texas Department of Public Safety – Private Security Program.
For official licensing information, applications, license status, training requirements, and regulatory updates, applicants should consult the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program and Texas Online Private Security (TOPS).