Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re brand new to the security industry (in Texas), the first class you will have to take would be the Level-2 Non-Commissioned class. After you complete that course, you’ll be given a certificate of completion (not a license) from the school. You will take that certificate of completion to your current or future employer whereas they will help you through the DPS online licensing process T.O.P.S. ( Texas Online Private Security). Although you do NOT need to be employed with any company to take any class you DO have to be affiliated with a security guard company in order for DPS to approve your license (no, you cannot work on your own outside of a company- it is illegal). Part of the process after taking the class will be to provide fingerprints and submit to a background check through DPS ( all steps will be discussed in our class).

If approved, DPS will mail your license/pocket card back to your home (not your employer). This process usually takes about 30 days, however, DPS will allow you to work security unarmed as a Non-Commissioned officer right away while your paperwork is processing. You are NOT allowed to work as a Commissioned officer or Bodyguard until you have your licenses back from DPS and in your pocket. There are many guard companies telling their guards that is is “Ok to work as an Armed guard or a Bodyguard as long as the TOPS site shows you as active”– this is NOT true as DPS requires that you have pocket card on you while on duty (exception is ONLY to the Non-Commission while processing only).

Additional requirements that most guard companies are in violation of:

As stated prior The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will allow you to work security as a Non-Commissioned officer (unarmed) without a license but only while it is processing. The security companies hear that part but do not follow the rest of it which is:

(A) The new officer must be registered on the Texas DPS security T.O.P.S. site (which can be done 24/7 online)

(B) The new officer OR the company must pay the state fees for the application (which can be done 24/7 online)

(C) Per DPS-RSD regulations a new officer MUST be fingerprinted before placing on a post (regardless if you can’t get an appointment for a few days or not).

(D) Per DPS-RSD regulations after items A-C are done, a guard company is NOT supposed to place a guard on a post for 48 hours after giving prints. This gives DPS and the guard company time to see if any “Red Flags” pop up with the applicant. This is not optional, each company must follow that.

Items A-D are only for first time officers that have not been licensed in Texas as a security officer. If the officer has an active pocket card, then skip those steps and place them on post that day (after of course some company level screening).

Many of our customers who have attended classes elsewhere or work for different security providers have come to our courses with an overwhelming amount of questions, guidelines, and policies regarding recertification requirements – some of which are inaccurate or conflicting which each other.

TCTA wanted to provide quick and clear guidance as to the official process according to D.P.S.

• To renew any license with DPS you must go online using the Texas DPS T.O.P.S website, renew you license(s), and pay the fees to DPS no less than 30 days prior to the expiration date listed on your license.
• If you do not renew your licenses on time you will have to pay a late fee to DPS and you cannot work security on expired licenses.
• If you allow your licenses to sit expired for over 12 calendar months, DPS will NOT allow you to submit a renewal, as they will then require you to resubmit an “original application”.
• A Level 2 Noncommissioned license currently requires no Continuing Education course at all (sad but true). DPS only wants new fees, and they will mail you a new license.
• A Level 3 Commission license requires that you attend no less than six hours of Continuing Education which includes classroom, a written exam, range qualification, and now as of April 1st, 2024 Weaponless Defense again – yes it is on the form, it must be done.  You then go online to the DPS -T.O.P.S site submit your renewal application, pay the DPS fees and upload a copy of your requalification certificate given by the school- then wait for the new pocket card to come in the mail to your home.
• A Level 4 PPO Bodyguard license Much like the Commission licenses requires a renewal and recertification course (usually done when you renew your Commission at the same time). Your Level 3 Commission license works hand-in-hand with your Level 4 Bodyguard license and expires on the same day. After your recertification course you then go online to the DPS -T.O.P.S site submit your renewal application, pay the fees and upload a copy of your requalification certificate- then wait for the new pocket card to come in the mail to your home. Texas DPS has been placing both the Level-3 Commission and the Level-4 Bodyguard on the same pocket card for years now. So, pay DPS twice, but you will get one card (nice).

Okay, now let’s talk about the certificates of completion that are issued from a Training Academy and how long they are good for. 

• Your Level 3 Commission course certificate of completion is only good for 90 days after dated by the school. This is due to the fact that DPS wants to ensure that prior to processing your Commission license that you have been to the range and qualified in front of a licensed Instructor within the last 90 days.
• Your Level 4 PPO Bodyguard course certificate of completion, just like the Commission certificate, must be processed with DPS within 90 days of completion of your course or it is not valid.
• If you exceed 90 days – you 100% will have to come back and requalify to get a new certificates, instructor cannot just email or mail you a updated form- you must test and shoot again, so do not let this happen it it processed within 90 days.

A common question we are all asked here at TC TA is “What exactly can you carry as a security officer in the state of Texas?”

As a Level 2 Non-commissioned Security Officer you’re allowed to carry the following:

• Flashlight
• Handcuffs
• Pepper Spray (if certified)- lots of wrong information being out about OC- ask us we will set you straight.
• Conductive Energy Weapon (license not required but training is highly recommend)
• Stun guns

As a Level 3 Commissioned Security Officer you are allowed to carry the following:

• Everything that a Non-commissioned security officer can carry plus:
• Baton if certified (must take a baton class and be a Commissioned officer)
• Handgun if certified
• Shotgun if certified

As a Level 4 Personal Protection Officer you’re allowed to carry the following:

• Everything that a Non-commissioned and Commission officer can carry plus:
• You are able to work in plain clothes
• You are able to conceal your weapons

A few special notes:

• You CANNOT use a Concealed Handgun License (LTC/CHL) in conjunction with any security work whatsoever.
• You are required to take a pepper spray class in order to carry pepper spray as a security officer.
• In order to carry a baton, you must be a commissioned officer and have completed a baton course.

We can all thank Taser International Inc. (now Axon) years ago for establishing a strong presence while establishing Conductive Energy Weapons as an acceptable Use Of Force option or tool within the law enforcement and security industries; as such, courts and thousands of Use Of Force cases have come to accept the use of Conductive Energy Weapons as a normal, “less-than-lethal” device. Taser International broke through barriers and spent millions of dollars in research and legal fees, setting this industry and other knock-off brands up for success by fighting the battles and laying the foundation for everyone to enjoy the benefits; countless rounds of applause should go out to Taser International and their founders.

That being said, the Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms agency (ATF), has officially declared Conductive Energy Weapons like Taser and Phazzer brands to be non-firearms and non-deadly weapons, which means they do not need to be registered and you do not need a license to carry these items per ATF (Federal Government) – they fall within the same guidelines as a stun gun. Any private citizen and of course security guards can carry a Conductive Energy Weapon (concealed or exposed), at any time; check with your state but Texas has zero restrictions. This means Non-commissioned, Commissioned, and Bodyguards can carry these items with no questions asked in the state of Texas, even into alcohol related venues like red 51% (bars) because they are NOT a firearm.

Conductive Energy Weapon manufacturers such as Taser or Phazzer both highly recommend that you take their training class, however, it is not required by the State or Federal Government and both Taser and Phazzer will openly sell those particular products to anyone (civilian or law enforcement) without taking their class. That being said, we at TCTA highly recommend that you seek all available training for anything that you will be carrying while on duty or using, as it all boils down to your “Use of Force” and what type of training you’ve received? Even if you take a generic Conductive Energy Weapon training class (which we offer), you and your company will want some level of certification which will provide you a level of liability protection. You can buy these items directly from the manufacturer or even used and found on Craigslist or Ebay but you want some type of training under your belt to protect yourself and your company from a lawsuit. The person you Tase 100% will try to sue you – so be ready for that.

Batons are all classified as deadly weapons in the state of Texas and are a felony to possess. Specific statement from the Texas Penal Code that allows if: “You are a commissioned security officer licensed with DPS-RSD and you possess proof that you have also attended baton training.” Batons include: PR 24, Straight Sticks, Expandable, etc.

This means in the state of Texas, to carry a baton as a security officer, you must be a Level-3 Commissioned Officer and also possess a baton card (or proof of training).  A question that always comes up is “Why can’t unarmed security officers carry a baton?” The issue is the Texas Penal Code specifically states “Commissioned Officer,” not Non-Commissioned Officer, which means the way that they wrote the code does not allow you any room to play semantics or word games as it states “Commission.” With that said, since you must possess an active Commission license to also be a Bodyguard; DPS does acknowledge that they work in conjunction with each other – you should have no problem carrying a baton as a PPO Level-4 Bodyguard, also noting concealed or exposed is not addressed in the code.

Our opinion at TC TA is that we feel the state and DPS-RSD should make a change in the rules and codes to allow Non-commissioned Officers to carry a baton. Most security companies don’t want armed guards, however their guards need some level of protection other than OC and a flashlight and wish to carry a baton. If a Non-commissioned Officer has already had Use of Force training as a part of the Level-2 class and they take a baton class, we feel they should be allowed to carry a baton, as it is not a firearm. This is something that these Security Associations, their Leadership should be addressing in our opinion, as the attacks on security guards increase.

Pepper Spray /Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) can be carried by any private citizen in the state of Texas at any time, however the state of Texas recently passed a House Bill which requires that anyone performing any type of security-related work (Non-commissioned, Commission, Bodyguard, Bounty Hunter, etc.), must take a Pepper Spray class and be able to provide such proof to law enforcement on request. As many point out, security officers are “private citizens” and private citizens are already allowed to carry pepper spray, but the House Bill overrides that and specifically states “security” – so security officers must take the class. To add, there currently are no restrictions as to the heat of the OC (SHU) or the concentration or percentage level, to include the size of container that can be carried by security officers in the state of Texas.

A question that often comes up from students is “what about the use of pepper ball rounds?”

Is is OC? – Then take the class, that simple.

At TCTA, we want to point out that you should always try to take some type of class or certification for anything that you’re going to carry or use on duty, as it will become a liability issue if you use something that you haven’t received training for and you know that training exists. We provide pepper spray training which does not require that you be sprayed or exposed to pepper spray in order to be certified.

Yes, TCTA, is one of very few if not possibly the only security training academy in this state that provides private classes and onsite training at your location – time and date specified by you. We have traveled to Alpine, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Abilene, Killeen, Waco, Temple, to name a few, and continue to do so upon request from security providers who want their officers trained at their site or office.

Being able to offer mobile classes and private sessions on demand for our clients is one of the reasons why TCTA is chosen and stands out among the rest. Most security training academies simply don’t have the manpower, logistics, equipment, training aids, time, or ability to train customers at their site – this is one of our strong points.

If you require training onsite or at your location, or need a private class, feel free to contact us at any time and will be able to get you taken care of. There are additional charges for us traveling to your location (and they are costly); but it can be done. You will pay for travel, fuel, lodging, the classes, and staff’s rate.

Private classes are always going to be at an increased rate. All of our posted prices are factored at multi-student/multi-attendee rates, whereas the class as a group shares the cost of putting a class on and making it logistically work for TCTA and our staff at our location. Classes given at your location depends on many factors which we would be happy to discuss with you.

At TCTA, we generally post our schedule (that is open to the public) no more than 30-45 days out. We understand there are several security training academies that will post classes six months to one year out in advance, however, we have also noticed that most of those schools that post that far out often postpone or cancel their classes when that date grows near. We display dates that are actually going to take place (rain or shine, big or small); we commit to those dates and to our customers. Posting something 6 months or a year out is a “shot in the dark” in this industry. That being said, most students will not pay up front six months or a year in advance- so it makes the issue a moot point.

TCTA must leave certain time slots open for existing clients that we service on a monthly basis; the rest of the month, we open it up for the general public. Often, our clients don’t let us know until 30-45 days out, which again is a reason why we don’t provide a schedule further than that.

On a special note, if there is a class that you don’t see on the schedule you can always request a private session and we can make that happen for you.

You don’t have to keep waiting months and months for a certain discount class to pop up; simply request a private session and we can get it done for you.

The Level-2,  Non-commissioned course certificate has a 90-day window to go process your certificate into a license with DPS.  

The Level-3 Commission course certificate has a 90-day window to go process your certificate into a license with DPS.  

The Level-4 PPO Bodyguard course certificate also has a 90-day window to go process your certificate into a license with DPS.  

TCTA provides its own course certificates and pocket cards for: Baton, Pepper Spray, Handcuffs, and Conductive Energy Weapon, First Aid/CPR. Those certificates and pocket cards are good for two years after completion and they are nationally recognized. You do not need to submit any paperwork to DPS for those.

As a state licensed security training academy using templates established by Texas DPS, our course certificates of completion are to be accepted by every security agency licensed in the state of Texas in regards to the Non-commissioned, Commission, and Bodyguard courses. DPS licenses and empowers TCTA to teach the course and hand those certificates of completion out to the students on behalf of DPS.

If a security agency does not wish to accept our state-approved training certificates because they are upset that you went to the competition instead of them, or creates false reasons why those certificates are no good in order to have you sign up and pay for their classes (or a school they recommend), then they have crossed ethical boundaries. If they are making you believe that our certificates are no good yet encourage you to sign up and pay for their class when you don’t need it, they are then walking the line of committing fraud by deception and that company needs to be reported at once.

That being said and just to clarify we’re talking about security guard training certificates that a security company being their employer must accept. If there is a security training academy that is handed you certificates that are partially signed and partially filled out and you expect us to sign their forms where they have left blank areas, no we would not accept that because we do not do business with any other training academy or have any other arrangement with any outsourced instructor.

The Department of Public Safety- Regulatory Services Division which oversees the concealed handgun license program (now LTC) and the private security division has established set guidelines that security officers (Non-commissioned, Commission, Bodyguard) CANNOT use their concealed handgun license (LTC) in conjunction with any security work (this includes Texas Constitutional Carry that will not apply on duty). It goes without saying that a citizen with a concealed handgun license (LTC) obviously cannot do any type of security or bodyguard work without being properly licensed as a Security Officer or Bodyguard.

Special note: DPS- RSD in 2015 or 2016 authorize Private Investigators to be able to use their concealed handgun license (LTC) in conjunction with their work (insert eye roll here). So Security officers and Bodyguards can’t but P.I.s can? Yep – that is true. And when there is no official PI class given by Texas DPS, that is not a good thing.

The issues here from all sides are:

(a) there is NO official DPS Private Investigator’s course (which is a separate issue in itself), so the P.I.s turn to DPS and ask for some type of flexibility to the rules because they are not Commissioned security officers and don’t need to take that class or carry that card but want the protection. Now that argument is a great one and one we agree DPS should have a P.I. class which provides for a weapon qualification (which they don’t), and why don’t they?

(b) The issue we have with P.I.’s using a LTC for P.I. work is that many of them are circumventing being an armed guard security company and paying for the proper armed insurance, and are performing in many cases Bodyguard work (they call it escorting or shadowing, lol), without the Level-4 Personal Protection Officer licenses. For some reason, they feel they can provide Executive Protection or bodyguard services as a P.I. (keeping in mind there is no P.I., course so many are not trained at all). NO, you cannot perform bodyguard work as a PI- get licensed correctly, pay the insurance and join the party guys.

(c) Many P.I.s also perform Bounty Hunting and make arrests, kick doors in, and chasing felons – which clearly exceeds the intention or use of a concealed handgun license (LTC) for John Q Citizen.  Several guard company owners are upset this is allowed by Private Investigators as they feel Private Investigators are skirting the requirements (which they are) when clearly performing the duties that should require some type of license, training, and insurance other than a 4 hour LTC class (which has nothing do with laws of arrest, reporting, weaponless defense and many other related topics). To add, DPS-RSD has no Private Investigator’s course, so DPS either waives your stated experience (note, “your stated”), OR you have “anyone” (yes, anyone) sign off on your 3,000 hours which is unverified by DPS. This “honor system” should not be taking place when it comes to weapons training, and issuing of  Private Investigators license and is a disturbing process. Yes prior Law enforcement and criminal justice degree holders are waivered too (without a PI class fyi).

This requires a detailed answer, as many have been misinformed, uninformed, or simply don’t like what the law says and do it anyway, so let’s run through this :

First, let’s address the obvious that yes, you are police officer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the ability to carry your police ID and your firearm with state backing and your department’s authorization. With that said, all customers and businesses should be aware that many police departments have policies in place that prohibit their officers from working non-departmental approved security details. Many departments also have policies against their officers or representatives from having anything to do with a private security agency.

Currently, if you are a Full-Time, Active, Peace Officer, in a sworn position, not on administrative or disciplinary leave OR retired, then you do not need to take any security guard classes nor hold any security licenses. With that said, we at TCTA think that if you are dressing up or wearing a security uniform that may open up another door where licenses and classes may be required in our opinion under 1702 OCC. *Special attention to the fact that volunteer officers, reserve officers, retired officers,  or anyone that does not qualify under 1701 of the Texas Penal Code as being a current and active peace officer, and anyone not a full-time peace officer must take the security classes and hold the security licenses if working off-duty “security details” (outside of their department). Please note: Just because you are a police officer does not make every security detail a “police detail”- so a word of caution with semantics and the law.  Last point here- If you only graduated from the police academy but are not in a sworn, and current, peace officer position, you are not a peace officer (sorry), and would need to take the classes and get licensed. Many graduate from the police academy and have not been hired on yet with a department and keep telling everyone they are a “Certified Peace Officer”- no you are not if not on a Department, and in a Sworn position.

Now, Can You Work Security As An Off-Duty Police Officer?

The short answer is: Yes. Ideally, if it is an off-duty security detail than that officer’s department or agency should approve (and most require a heads-up). Some even require a contract with the department and the business to provide this service. As stated prior many departments have policies and restrictions in place that prevent their officers from working “non-department approved”- off-duty security details.

How Do You Know If It Is Okay As A Business Owner Or Client To Hire A Police Officer?

Call the department, speak with the Watch Commander or any representative there, and they will inform you. Ask prior to hiring that off-duty officer, if that department will cover your business insurance wise (most will not -so if your business is targeted in a lawsuit you will not be protected by the police officer’s department)- another reason to employ a security agency that is fully insured to protect their client as well. That police office is not insured off duty on his/her own gig, and if their department is not covering you – you are screwed in a lawsuit as a client.

What if you are not a “Full-Time” peace officer but you are classifying your security detail as a “Police Detail?”

Okay, that means your client has a contract with the City/County/State and your department correct? – If not, then you have a problem. If you are not a full-time peace officer and this is not a department provided detail – you cannot just classify yourself and your detail as a “police detail” and exempt yourself from the requirements of being licensed- remember only full-time police officers are exempt from obtaining security licenses when working off-duty security details.

An area where there is a bigger concern especially to the private security industry and citizens is when we have off-duty peace officers running their own “Unlicensed security, Security Consulting or Bodyguard agencies” because they carry a badge. Just to be clear, off-duty police officers can work security as described above but they need to be working for a licensed security guard company or a department sanctioned detail, or a business with Letter of Authority from DPS to run a security department –one of the three.

Although full-time peace officers can work as a security officer or bodyguard without licenses, one thing many are confused on, and often lines are crossed with the fact that you CANNOT run an actual Security Guard company, Security Consulting business, or Bodyguard agency without being licensed and insured as a company as per Texas law; it is a Class – A Misdemeanor arrestable offence to do so. Keep in mind working “off duty security” for a licensed company and not be required to have pocket cards is completely different than running an entire off-duty unlicensed guard company whereas you have your own client(s), you are being paid directly from the client as their employee or 10-99 (subcontractor)- then you have taken the issue from “pocket cards” into now running an illegal company (two different things).

What’s The Definition Of Running A Security Company?

A: You have one client and you are providing a service for money, (you are being paid not your department) or there is a barter, free rent, or some type of compensation, to includes, donating your time or volunteering at a church – you are still providing a service in a “service or company” capacity. If you wish to claim that you’re an employee of the location, then you still need a Letter of Authority from DPS to run a security department of the business. Sorry, there’s no way around it legally. Our question which should be your client’s question is “Who is providing the required insurance coverage to your client if your police department is not?”

It does not take a website, a business card, or written contract to define your activities as running an unlicensed business. As stated prior, if you have one client that is paying you to perform a service, you’re running a business (if done outside of a contracted police department detail) – get a business license or contract out with a company that has one. A police badge is not meant to allow full-blown private companies (or covert companies) to be formed and operate without state required licensing and insurance. There is a big difference between working as a security officer and running an entire unlicensed company.

Let’s make sure that while we are enforcing the law on a daily basis as peace officers, that we are also obeying the law at night when working a non-departmental security detail for private clients on a private gig and not running an unlicensed company or operating as such. Any questions or clarification on this topic, feel free to contact us at any time and we will point you in the right direction.

The short answer to this question would be: Yes.

In the state of Texas, you cannot work as a freelancer, as it is a Class-A misdemeanor which is an arrestable offence to do so.

You must be working for either a licensed security agency or you can work for a private business that has what they call a “Private Business Letter of Authority” from DPS to run their own in-house security department. You cannot take your security guard pocket cards and go around and start soliciting services on your own.

At TCTA, we go through the entire licensing process and cover all the do’s and don’ts in all of our classes. We will leave no questions unanswered at the end of our courses. Please check our schedule and feel free to sign up online at any time – we will get you going in the right direction!

On a case-by-case basis, DPS-RSD has waived some required experience or time for licensing as a Private Investigator, Qualified Manager (now owner), Instructor, and Security Consultant. It is highly unlikely that DPS-RSD will waive any requirements for basic security guard licensing such as Non-commissioned, Commission, Bodyguard courses due to the fact that DPS wants you to know the laws here in Texas as it pertains to the private security industry, as such, you will be required to take those classes although you can always write them and request a waiver.

We will tell you from experience that you will have completed all the required basic courses before you ever receive any written response from DPS, (sorry DPS but true); so you might as well take the classes and knock them out which can be done in a week with TCTA.

Out-of-state security licenses as far as Unarmed Guard, Armed Guard, and Bodyguard will not carry over to the state of Texas. The state of Texas, (although they appreciate your experience and background), want you to learn the specific laws and regulations in this state as it pertains to the private security industry.

Things that do carry over in the state of Texas would be your Concealed Handgun License (LTC) depending on the state and our agreement with them.  Baton training, Handcuff training, Pepper Spray training, Conductive Energy Weapon (Taser) training, etc.; as long as you have the certificates and pocket cards, you can pass those on to your new employer here in Texas.

Will I Receive Credit For Classes That I Completed In The Police Academy Or Military?

In short- No!

Yes, in order to receive your Level-4 PPO Bodyguard license from DPS, they will want to see proof that you have completed the Level-3 Commission security class, to include, have an active Commission card on file – then submit to an MMPI (psychological evaluation).

“I already had a mental evaluation done years ago”

Okay great, you will need that Doctor to sign the DPS form; if not, you will have to take another MMPI -cheers!

Yes, in order to receive your Level-3 Commission license from DPS, they will want to see proof that you have completed the Level-2 Non-Commission security class as well.

“I already took the Level-2 years ago but lost it.”

You will have to take it again – Cheers!

The Lv-4 Personal Protection (Bodyguard course)- absolutely not. Nor is any requal or range qualification done on line.

Level-2, and parts of the Level-3 Commission class are allowed to be taken online and has been the case for years.

No, there is no such thing as a Level-1 license or course. This is part of an old numbering system that DPS has never addressed or adjusted since. The Level-1 was when DPS used to require everybody that worked at a security agency be licensed even if they were non-security personnel, such as a receptionist or dispatcher, etc.; the term was “Employee of Licensee,” and is no longer required of non-security personnel that works for a security guard company.

As a part of the online Level-2 Non-commissioned class that used to take place prior to 2010, it was split into two parts: Level-I and Level-2 (we never understood the thought behind it either). As of now, there is the Level-2 Non-commissioned, the Level-3 Commissioned, and the Level-4 Bodyguard.

DPS has required alarm companies and techs must be licensed ( separate and different license, requirement and course) – get with an alarm company to see what is required, we do not teach alarm classes here.

Yes, you can always take any class in any order that you wish to fit your scheduling or budget needs, however, DPS will only process certain licenses in a certain order.

*In order to get your Bodyguard license you need to have your Commission license. In order to get your Commission license you need to have your Non-commissioned course complete.

Pepper Spray, Handcuffs, Conductive Energy Weapons along with First Aid can be taken right away, as you can use and carry those items immediately as a Non-Commission Officer. As far as Baton and firearm, you must wait until you have your Commission license before you carry those.