During the declared Public Health Emergency, licenses that normally would have expired were considered valid. With the declared Public Health Emergency having ended on July 25, 2021, license holders with expired licenses must submit their applications to renew their licenses.
Renewal applications were accepted beginning July 1, 2021, and can be completed online. Renewal applications should be completed and submitted no later than September 1, 2021.
Given the high volume of applications needing to be processed as a result of licenses not expiring during the declared Public Health Emergency, the time it takes to review renewal applications is expected to take longer than usual. As such, licensees who have successfully submitted and paid for their renewal applications by September 1, 2021, will not face enforcement action for having an expired license. Licensees who have submitted their renewal applications by September 1, 2021, and who have received confirmation of submission, can continue using their expired license until their new license is issued. Licensees who fail to submit their renewal applications by September 1, 2021, will be subject to enforcement action.
Please note that given the shortage of fingerprinting appointments, applicants are only required to have scheduled a fingerprinting appointment by September 1 (the actual appointment may be later than September 1).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please call (202) 899-3630 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, or email opla.security@dc.gov.
General Information
The District of Columbia manages the licensure of Security professionals within the District, and protects Security professionals and consumers by upholding the District of Columbia Security license law and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations for Security Officers — Title 6A, Chapter 11 and Title 17 Chapters 20 and 21. Agency - § 29–103.01. Permitted names. (f) An entity name shall not be the same as, or so deceptively similar to, the name of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or the District of Columbia so as to mislead the public or cause confusion.
2105 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS - CRIMINAL HISTORY SECURITY OFFICERS
2105.1 No person shall be certified or employed as a security officer, nor shall an existing security officer have his or her certification renewed, until the Mayor has conducted a criminal history check of the applicant through the record systems of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Police Department.
1102 CRIMINAL HISTORY - Special Police Officers
1102.1 No person shall be commissioned or employed as a special police officer, nor shall an existing special police officer have a commission renewed, until the Mayor has conducted a criminal history check of the applicant through the record systems of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Police Department
Applicant
Apply for license
Items Needed for Application
Security Agency
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Register agency name with the Corporations Division, (202) 442-4432, via CorpOnline, DCRA's online corporate registration and filing platform.
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Fact Sheet for Attorney in Fact or General Agent Form (if physical business address is outside of the District of Columbia); or
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Occupancy Permit/Current Lease Agreement (if physical address is located in the District of Columbia)
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Proof of Registration Document/ Certificate of Good Standing
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Social Security Number
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Government Issued ID
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Birth Certificate; or Proof of Immigration Status
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2x2 photo
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Notarized Arrest Affidavit
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Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
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Fingerprint Receipt (with name of Applicant)
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Confirmation Receipt of Payment (with name of Applicant)
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Proposed Patch Design
Security Officer
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Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
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Either be a United States citizen or have in his or her possession a valid Immigration and Naturalization Service work permit; and
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Be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
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Social Security Number
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Government Issued ID
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United States Birth Certificate, United States Passport, or Birth Certificate and Immigration and Naturalization Service Work Permit
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2x2 photo
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Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
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Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
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Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
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Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
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Health/Physical Examination
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Security Officer’s Passed Examination Results
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Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
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Confirmation Receipt of Payment (write/type applicant name)
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Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency Business
Private Detective Agency
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Register agency name with the Corporations Division, (202) 442-4432, via CorpOnline, DCRA's online corporate registration and filing platform.
-
Fact Sheet for Attorney in Fact or General Agent Form (if physical business address is outside of the District of Columbia); or
-
Occupancy Permit/Current Lease Agreement (if physical address is located in the District of Columbia)
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Proof of Registration Document/ Certificate of Good Standing
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Social Security Number
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Government Issued ID
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Birth Certificate or Proof of Immigration Status
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2x2 photo
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Notarized Arrest Affidavit
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Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
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Fingerprint Receipt (with name of Applicant)
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Confirmation Receipt of Payment (with name of Applicant)
Private Detective
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Social Security Number
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Government Issued ID
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United States Birth Certificate, United States Passport, or Immigration and Naturalization Service Work Permit
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2x2 photo
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Proof of Military Service (if applicable)
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Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
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Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
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Fingerprint Receipt
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Confirmation Receipt of Payment
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Must be affiliated with a licensed Private Detective Business
Special Police Officer
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Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;
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Be a citizen of the United States;
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Be of good moral character;
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Possess a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, or one year of experience as a special police officer in the District of Columbia;
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Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;
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Be certified by a licensed physician as physically and psychologically fit to perform the duties of a special police officer;
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An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a special police officer;
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Special police officers shall be required to satisfactorily complete pre-assignment, on the-job, and in-service training programs which have been prescribed and approved by the Mayor;
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Pre-assignment training shall include at least sixteen (16) hours of training on arrest powers, search and seizure laws, the District of Columbia Official Code, and the use of force. Pre-assignment training shall include an additional twenty-four (24) hours of training generally relating to the special police officer's duties and specifically including:
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Terrorism awareness, including building evacuation, unattended packages, and unknown substances;
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Emergency procedures, including evacuation and first-aid; and
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Customer service and interaction with tourists.
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Special police officers shall satisfactorily complete a 16-hour, on-the-job training course within ninety (90) working days following employment, and an 8-hour annual in-service training course;
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Special police officers shall also satisfy all additional initial and re-qualification training standards for firearms and other equipment, as applicable;
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Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a security agency from voluntarily providing training programs and courses which exceed the minimum requirements. Upon satisfactory completion of a required training course, a special police officer shall receive from his or her employer a certificate evidencing satisfactory completion thereof.
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Social Security Number
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Government Issued ID
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United States Birth Certificate or Naturalization Document
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2x2 photo
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Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
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Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
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Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
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Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
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Physical Examination
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Range Certificate (if armed)
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Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
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Confirmation Receipt of Payment (write/type applicant name)
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Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency
Campus Special Police
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Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;
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Be a citizen of the United States;
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Be of good moral character;
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Possess a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, or one year of experience as a special police officer in the District of Columbia;
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Be able to read, write, and speak the English language
-
Be certified by a licensed physician as physically and psychologically fit to perform the duties of a special police officer;
-
An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a special police officer;
-
Special police officers shall be required to satisfactorily complete pre-assignment, on the-job, and in-service training programs which have been prescribed and approved by the Mayor;
-
Pre-assignment training shall include at least sixteen (16) hours of training on arrest powers, search and seizure laws, the District of Columbia Official Code, and the use of force. Pre-assignment training shall include an additional twenty-four (24) hours of training generally relating to the special police officer's duties and specifically including:
-
Terrorism awareness, including building evacuation, unattended packages, and unknown substances;
-
Emergency procedures, including evacuation and first-aid; and
-
Customer service and interaction with tourists.
-
-
Special police officers shall satisfactorily complete a 16-hour, on-the-job training course within ninety (90) working days following employment, and an 8-hour annual in-service training course.
-
Special police officers shall also satisfy all additional initial and re-qualification training standards for firearms and other equipment, as applicable.
-
Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a security agency from voluntarily providing training programs and courses which exceed the minimum requirements of this chapter. Upon satisfactory completion of a required training course, a special police officer shall receive from his or her employer a certificate evidencing satisfactory completion thereof.
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Social Security Number
-
Government Issued ID
-
United States Birth Certificate or Naturalization Document
-
2x2 photo
-
Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
-
Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
-
Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
-
Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
-
Health/Physical Examination
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250 Consortium Academy Training or Jurisdictional Police Academy
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Range Certificate (if armed)
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Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment (write/type applicant name)
- Must be affiliated with one of the 9 licensed College/Universities Business
- Previously completed required renewal documents such as health and drug screenings will be accepted as long as they were completed on or after March 3, 2021.
Examination
Exams may be scheduled online or by phone.
To schedule online, visit psiexams.com. New users will need to create an account and register prior to scheduling an exam. Once registered, select “Schedule and examination” and then:
- Select Government/State Licensing Agencies
- Select District of Columbia exams
- Select Account for the type of licensing exam that you are seeking
Applicants may also schedule by phone at 1 (855) 557-0616.
Fingerprints: Call to schedule an appointment with the Metropolitan Police Department (202) 671-6705
Agencies located outside the DC Metropolitan Area must have a local agent and District of Columbia address (Post Office Boxes are not accepted). Telephone: (202) 727-4409 or (202) 671-6705; Email: SOMB.adminbox@dc.gov for additional information in regards to fingerprints.
Application Supporting Documents PDF fillable for print, notarized then submitted into the application for submission:
- Arrest Affidavit
- Authorization to Release Information
- Fact Sheet for Attorney-In-Fact or General Agent
Fees
Agency:
Private Detective Business
- $1000.00 New
- $500.00 Renewal
Security Agency Business
- New application $1000.00 (5 or more officers)
- Renewal $500.00
Security Agency Individual (4 or less officers)
- $99.00 New
- $99.00 Renewal
Individual
Private Detective
- New $99.00
- Renewal $99.00
Security Officer
- New $99.00
- Renewal $99.00
Special Police Officer
- New $84.00
- Renewal $84.00
Campus Special Police Officer
- New $84.00
- Renewal $84.00
Licensee
License Renewal
Campus/University Special Police Officer
Expiration Date: May 31; Renewal Year:Odd
Security Officer
Expiration Date: April 30; Renewal Year: Even
Private Detective
Expiration Date: October 31; Renewal Year: Even
Special Police Officer
Expiration Date: May 31; Renewal Year: Annual
Submit an application for renewal of an occupational or professional license.
*Please note, previously completed required renewal documents such as health and drug screenings will be accepted as long as they were completed by March 3, 2021. Given the shortage of fingerprinting appointments, license renewal applicants are only required to provide proof of a scheduled fingerprinting appointment by September 1, 2021 (the actual appointment may be later than September 1).
Security Agency and Security Agency Individuals
Documents needed to renew:
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment (with name of applicant)
- Proof of Insurance
- List of worksite(s) with name and locations
Private Detective Agency
Documents needed to renew:
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment (with name of applicant)
- Proof of Bond
- Must be affiliated with a licensed Private Detective Business (for individuals)
Individual License Renewal Documents
Security Officer Renewal Documents:
- Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
- Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment Application (write/type applicant name)
- Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency Business or Security Agency Individual
Special Police Officer Renewal Documents:
- Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
- Health/Physical examination
- Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment Application (write/type applicant name)
- If armed, a Range Certification is required
- If contracted to work at a DC Public Schools, a Letter of Designation is required
- Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency Business or Security Agency Individual
Campus Special Police Officer Renewal Documents:
- Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
- Health/Physical examination
- Fingerprint Receipt (write/type applicant name)
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment (write/type applicant name)
- If armed, a Range Certification is required
- 250 Consortium Certification
- Must be affiliated with one of the 9 licensed College/Universities Business
Private Detective
- Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
- Notarized Authorization to Release Information Form
- Confirmation Receipt of Payment Application (write/type applicant name)
- Must be affiliated with a licensed Private Detective Business or Private detective Individual
For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service number at 202-899-3630.
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