Security Officer Certification

Training for Utah DOPL License

Learn all that is needed to become an Unarmed or Armed Security Officer certified through DOPL (Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing). The Unarmed portion includes 24 hours of classroom instruction. The Armed portion includes 6 hours of classroom instruction followed by 6 hours of range instruction. Both portions will include final examinations to demonstrate competency. A passing grade of 80% on the examination will be required to receive your certification.

View the sections below for more information on each of the programs or click the Register Now button to get enrolled.

Security Officer Certification

This course combines both the Unarmed & Armed Security Officer certifications. The Unarmed portion includes 24 hours of classroom instruction. The Armed portion includes 6 hours of classroom instruction followed by 6 hours of range instruction. Both portions will include final examinations to demonstrate competency. Students will also receive certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED.

A passing grade of 80% on the examination will be required to receive your certification. This training program is designed in complete compliance with DOPL training requirements, and must be completed before applying for your Unarmed & Armed Security Officer License with DOPL.

Curriculum

Unarmed portion will include 24 hours of instruction on the following:

  • The nature and role of private security
  • State laws and rules applicable to private security
  • The legal responsibilities of private security
  • Situational response evaluations
  • Security ethics
  • The use of force, emphasizing the de-escalation of force and alternatives to using force
  • Documentation and report writing
  • Patrol Techniques
  • Police and community relations
  • Sexual harassment in the work place

Once you have completed this course and have passed the exam with a minimum pass score of 80%, you will be eligible to move onto the Armed portion.

Armed portion will include 6 hours of classroom instruction comprising of:

  • The firearm and its ammunition
  • Care and cleaning of the weapon
  • Prohibition against alterations of firing mechanism
  • Firearm inspection review procedures
  • Safety on duty
  • Safety at home
  • Firearm safety on the range
  • Legal and ethical restraints on firearms use
  • Target environments
  • Stop failure drills
  • Stance, draw stroke, cover and concealment and other firearm fundamentals
  • Armed patrol techniques
  • Use of deadly force / Eminent threat to life / Force compliance

Following the classroom portion of the Armed training, you will receive 6 hours of range instruction comprising of:

  • Basic firearms fundamentals and marksmanship
  • Sight picture, sight alignment and trigger control
  • Practical pistol course – must achieve a minimum score of 80% using regular and low light conditions

Students are authorized and encouraged to bring their own firearms to the range portion of the course, though this is not required (Must not be a .22 caliber and 9mm is preferred).

Notes: Watch for an email that will be sent 1 week before this course begins. It will contain directions to the classroom as well as a liability waiver that needs to be signed and brought to the first session. If you registered late or otherwise did not receive this email, please let us know at ce@uvu.edu or 801-863-8012. Because class locations sometimes change over the course of a semester, please make sure you pay attention to the information in the email. You will also be able to find up-to-date classroom information on our website at that time.

This program is funded, in part, from a Short-term Intensive Training grant offered by UVU Career and Technical Education (CTE). The regular price is $595, but because of the grants, students and corporate sponsors only pay $119 per enrollment.

Register Now

Security officer with radio

Utah DOPL Requirements

Once you have completed both the Unarmed & Armed courses and have passed each exam with a minimum pass score of 80%, you will be eligible to submit your application to DOPL to receive both your Unarmed and/or Armed Security Officer License. Below are additional requirements set by Utah DOPL in order to qualify to receive your license:

  • All applicants must be at least 18 years old
  • You must be a citizen of the United States of must be resident alien with work authorization
  • You must be free of felony convictions or must clear a criminal history check conducted by the regional department of police and FBI
  • Students must be able to pass a background check (R156-63a-302f: See "Qualifications for Licensure - Good Moral Character - Disqualifying Convictions")
  • Training requirements: You must finish the required training sessions prior to getting your registration. Your instructor must fill out the relevant section of the application form
  • Fingerprints must be submitted with your submission for a new application. The fingerprint is used to perform a background check
  • Two color passport style photographs
  • Is not using drugs or dependent on alcohol in way that can affect the applicants ability to perform the duties of a security guard
  • Applicant should be physically fit and mentally competent to perform the duties of security guard
  • Be of good moral character