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Security Program

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

SECURITY PROGRAM UPDATE
Transfers, Upgrades Designations and Downgrade Designations
Effective April 2024

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL), Security Program has implemented the Transfer application process within the same system as New and Renewal applications.  This change will allow all applications (New, Renewal, Transfers, Upgrade Designations and Downgrade Designations) to be received, reviewed, and processed in the same system. 


Refer to Security Program Transfers, Upgrade Designations and Downgrade Designations Change Notice for details.


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

Click to apply for a license.

 

Items Needed for Application

Security Agency

  • Register agency name with the Corporations Division, (202) 442-4432, via CorpOnline.
Submit the following documents for new licenses:

 

Security Officer

Pre-Qualifications:
  • Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
  • Either be a United States citizen or have in his or her possession a valid Immigration and Naturalization Service work permit;
  • Be able to read, write, and speak the English language; and
  • Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency Business
Submit the following documents for new licenses:
  • Government Issued ID
  • United States Passport, United States Birth Certificate, and Immigration and Naturalization Service Work Permit
  • 2x2 photo 
  • Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
  • Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
  • Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
  • Health/Physical Examination
  • Security Officer’s Passed Examination Results
  • Fingerprint Receipt
  • Confirmation Receipt of Payment
 

Private Detective Agency

  • Register agency name with the Corporations Division, (202) 442-4432, via CorpOnline.
Submit the following documents for new licenses:

 

Private Detective

Pre-Qualifications:
  • Must be affiliated with a licensed Private Detective Business
Submit the following documents for new licenses:
 

Special Police Officer

Pre-Qualifications:
  • Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;
  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Be of good moral character; 
  • 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;
  • Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;
  • Must be affiliated with a licensed Security Agency;
  • 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. 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.
Submit the following documents for new licenses:
  • Government Issued ID
  • Unites States Passport, United States Birth Certificate or Naturalization Document
  • 2x2 photo 
  • Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
  • Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
  • Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
  • Physical Examination
  • Range Certificate (if armed)
  • Fingerprint Receipt
  • Confirmation Receipt of Payment
 

Campus Special Police

Pre-Qualifications:
  • Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;
  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Be of good moral character; 
  • 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;
  • Be able to read, write, and speak the English language
  • Must be affiliated with one of the 9 licensed College/Universities Business;
  • 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.
Submit the following documents:
  • Government Issued ID
  • United States Passport, United States Birth Certificate or Naturalization Document
  • 2x2 photo 
  • Proof of Military Service (DD214 - if applicable)
  • Notarized Arrest Affidavit (including dispositions for arrests)
  • Drug Screening (6 panel with levels)
  • Health/Physical Examination
  • 250 Consortium Academy Training or Jurisdictional Police Academy
  • Range Certificate (if armed)
  • Fingerprint Receipt
  • Confirmation Receipt of Payment

 

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:

  1. Select Government/State Licensing Agencies
  2. Select District of Columbia exams
  3. 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.

 

Fees*

Agency

Private Detective Business

  • New – $1,000.00
  • Renewal – $935.00

Security Agency Business

  • New application – $1,000.00 (5 or more officers)
  • Renewal – $935.00

Security Agency Campus University

  • New application – $1,000.00 (5 or more officers)
  • Renewal – $935.00

Security Agency Individual (4 or less officers)

  • New – $500.00
  • Renewal – $435.00

Individual

Campus Special Police Officer

  • New – $84.00
  • Renewal $84.00

Private Detective

  • New – $500.00
  • Renewal – $435.00

Private Detective Agency

  • New – $500.00
  • Renewal – $412.00

Security Officer

  • Exam – $69.00 (New Applicants Only)
  • New – $103.00
  • Renewal – $103.00

Special Police Officer

  • New – $84.00
  • Renewal – $84.00
* Please note that according to D.C. Code § 47-2853.10, application fees for initial licensing, certification, registration, renewal and reinstatement shall not be refundable, even if the applicant withdraws his or her application for licensure, certification or registration, or is found to be not qualified.

 

Licensee

License Renewal

Submit an application for renewal of an occupational or professional license.


Security Agency and Security Agency Individuals

Documents needed to renew:

 

Private Detective Agency

Documents needed to renew:


Individual License Renewal Documents

Security Officer Renewal Documents:

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
  • Confirmation Receipt of Payment Application
  • 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:

Private Detective


For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service number at (202) 442-4320.
 

Contact Us

Board Staff

Donna Harrod – Program Manager
Erin Underhill – Administrator
Nakia Booker – Program Support Specialist
Kaila Neal - Program Support Specialist
Ricardo Robinson – Program Support Specialist
Dontaine Shayton - Program Support Specialist

For more information, please contact Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) using our online inquiry form, via email at dlcp@dc.gov, or by phone at (202) 442-4320.
 
Address: 1100 4th Street, SW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024
Direct Email: opla.security@dc.gov

Publications and Resources