Resources and publications: Security guards

Explore related resources and publications for security guard licenses.

Associations

International Association of Security and Investigative Regulators (IASIR)

The International Association of Security and Investigative Regulators (IASIR) provides information about state and provincial security licensing statutes, regulations, and requirements.

The Council on Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR)

The Council on Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR) is an international association of state and provincial officials involved with occupational and professional licensing and regulation issues.

Study guides

Security guard exam study guide

All principals and certified trainers must demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

All topics in the security guard pre-assignment training course

See the pre-assignment training study guide below.

General security management

Legal and liability issues related to the security guard industry

  • Protection Officers Training Manual (available at many online retailers)

Washington laws and rules regarding security guard licensing and regulations

Pre-assignment training study guide: Security guards

Pre-assignment training must include the following areas of required knowledge:

1. Basic principles

  • Basic role of the security guard
  • Washington licensing laws
  • Observation
  • Proper actions, reactions, ethics, and diversity
  • Homeland security: Terrorism and surveillance
Resources

2. Report writing: It's a legal document

  • Elements and characteristics of a report
Resources

3. Safety and accident prevention

  • Hazardous materials including MSDS
  • Accident reporting
Resources

4. Emergency response

  • How to define what is or is not an emergency situation
  • Response to fires
  • Response to medical emergencies
  • Response to criminal acts
  • Bomb threats
Resources

5. Legal powers and limitations

  • Citizen arrest
  • Authority to detain, question, or search a private citizen
  • Authority to search or seize private property
  • Use of force
  • Building relationships with law enforcement
  • Avoiding liability
Resources

Post-assignment training study guide: Security guards

The following topic areas are used for post-assignment training. Training topics may also include the subjects listed under WAC 308-18-300.

Basic role of private security guards

  • Security awareness
  • Private security guards and the criminal justice system
  • Information sharing
  • Crime and loss prevention

Job assignment and post orders

  • Assignments and tasks
  • Patrol

Life safety awareness

  • Safety hazards in the workplace/surroundings
  • Emergency equipment placement
  • Fire prevention skills
  • Hazardous materials
  • Occupational safety and health requirements (e.g., OSHA-related training, bloodborne pathogens, etc.)

Emergency response procedures

  • Critical incident response (e.g., natural disasters. accidents, human-caused events)
  • Evacuation processes

Principles of safeguarding information

  • Proprietary and confidential

Principles of access control

  • Enter and exit control procedures
  • Electronic security systems

Principles of communication

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal communication skills
  • Building relationships with law enforcement
  • Customer services and public relations
  • Workplace violence Report writing

Observation and incident reporting

  • Observation techniques
  • Note-taking

Security officer conduct

  • Ethics
  • Honesty
  • Professional image

Legal aspects of private security

  • Evidence and evidence handling
  • Use of force
  • Court testimony
  • Incident scene preservation
  • Equal employment opportunity (EEO) and diversity
  • State and local laws

Explanation of abbreviations

  • RCW—Revised Code of Washington (Washington State laws)
  • WAC—Washington Administrative Code (Washington State agency regulations)

News updates

Get the latest news and related information about security guard licenses.

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(TTY: Call 711)
mail Email: security@dol.wa.gov
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