How To Become Security Guard/Officer In New Jersey SORA, What Type of Training & License is Required

In the state of New Jersey you have to go for training programs as well as registration from the office of superintendent. All the process will involve form filling, training, finger print taking, criminal back ground check up. and other check ups. you can find the links to all this at the end of this article.

The Registration is governed under SORA Act - Security Officer Registration Act

SORA FAQ’S 

1. How do I apply for a Security Officer Certification? 
    1. www.njsp.org 
    2. Click on Services
    3. Click on Private Detective Info
   4. Click on the “Security Officer, Instructor, Owner and Bounty Hunter Applications”  link on the right hand side of the page.

2. I forgot my Password and/or Logon ID. How can I get it? 
Follow the above steps to return to the application. After selecting Returning Applicant, click on either the “Forgot your Password” or “Forgot your LogonID” link. If you select  “Forgot your Password,” you will need to enter your logonID, application ID or certification number along with your email address. The email address must match the email on your profile. If you select “Forgot your LogonID,” you will need to enter your place of birth, application ID or certification number and your date of birth. You will also need to know the answer to your hint question.

3. How do I pay for the application? 
Payment must be made using a credit or debit card issued by Visa or MasterCard. If you do not have one, you can use a Visa gift card. You must pay a non-refundable fee of $75 to complete the Security Officer application.

4. How do I get fingerprinted correctly?

You must be fingerprinted using the MorphoTrak form provided at the end of the Security Officer application. This form is already filled out with the required information for fingerprinting. If you do not use the correct form provided, we will not receive your fingerprint information and you will need to be printed again. To schedule an appointment, you can call the phone number at the bottom of the form or go to
www.bioapplicant.com/nj. The fee for fingerprinting is $67.50.

5. How do I find an instructor? 
At the end of the application there is a link to browse the instructor registry. The list of instructors can be searched by zip code, state/county or by an instructor’s last name. It is your responsibility to contact an instructor and schedule the 24 hour training class within 30 days from the date of your application. You can also view a complete list of certified  instructors here: http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/pdet/010311_actinstructor.pdf

6. Are active law enforcement officers who wish to provide security while off duty exempt 
from the requirements of SORA? 

No. Active law enforcement officers are only exempt from the 24 hour mandated training  course. Fingerprinting is required via the vendor MorphoTrak. Upon  retirement/termination of employment as a law enforcement officer, the training  exemption is no longer applicable and completing the twenty-four (24) security officer training course provided by a certified SORA instructor is mandatory for the continued
validity of the SORA certification. 

7. What happens if I don’t submit fingerprints or complete the training course within 30 
days? 
If you fail to complete the fingerprinting and/or 24 hour training class within 30 days, you must submit a new application.

8. How long is my Security Officer Certification good for? 
The Security Officer Certification is good for a period of 2 years at which time a renewal
application must be submitted.

9. How do I renew my Security Officer Certification? 
Ninety days prior to expiration, you will be notified via email that it is time to renew. Subsequent emails are sent at 60 days and 30 days prior to expiration. Emails are sent to the email address that is listed on your personal profile. After logging back into the application, under the “Security Officer” tab click on “Submit Renewal.” The renewal fee is $82.55 and must be paid using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition to the renewal application, an 8 hour refresher training course provided by a SORA certified instructor Registration required for security officers.

Requirements for registrations

A. No person shall be employed as, or perform the functions and activities of, a security officer unless that person is registered with the Superintendent as required in this section. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

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:

(1) the applicant's full name, age, which shall be at least 18 years, and residence;

(2) the name and address of all employers or occupations engaged in for the immediately preceding five years;

(3) that the applicant has not been convicted of any disqualifying crime or offense as set forth in subsection c. of this section; and

(4) such further information as the Superintendent may require to show the good character, competency and integrity of the applicant.Any person who shall knowingly make a false statement in, or knowingly omit any material information from, an application as required by this subsection shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree in addition to any other crime or offense specified by law.Page 5

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. 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.

D. A person whose application has been approved by the Superintendent shall complete the required education and training program established in section 5 of this act. Upon satisfactory completion of this program, and upon the payment of a fee in an amount established by the Superintendent, the applicant shall be entitled to and the Superintendent shall issue and deliver to the applicant a security officer certificate of registration.

E. The Superintendent may revoke or suspend such certificate of registration for a violation of any of the provisions of this act or for other good cause. A certificate of registration shall be surrendered to the Superintendent within 72 hours after its term has expired or after notice in writing to the holder that the certificate of registration has been revoked.

F. The certificate of registration shall be renewed every two years upon forms prescribed by the Superintendent and payment of a fee in an amount established by the Superintendent by rule and regulation.

The certificate of registration may be renewed without further investigation unless it is deemed by the Superintendent that the applicant no longer qualifies or verified objections to the renewal are received by the Superintendent prior to issuance.

G. The revocation or suspension of any certificate of registration by the Superintendent shall be subject to notice and a hearing

New Jersey Govt Website
Security Officer Online Form
List of Active Security Officer Instructor
Active Security Agencies