The route to becoming a Security Guard in New Jersey is similar to a lot of other American states: you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual security licensing requirements of this nature.
However, there is one big difference with New Jersey's security licensing process:
you need to take a government approved Security Guard licensing course after, not before, submitting your Security Guard license application.
In New Jersey, the government body that controls a NJ Security Guard's license is
the New Jersey State Police
under the SECURITY OFFICER REGISTRATION ACT (SORA).
So, it is the NJ State Police that will have to approve your NJ Security Guard licensing course. The NJ State Police will accept the 25hr security training course if it is taught by a SORA authorized security academy.
Just make sure your security course is taught by a SORA licensed school.
Information on the approved training will be made available to you after your application is submitted.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements to the NJ State Police, you will qualify for the security training course and will get your New Jersey Security Guard license.
New Jersey Security Guard License Requirements
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind. The records check will be performed on you through the online NJ application process.
Fingerprints: You need to submit fingerprinting in your NJ online security application. So, make sure you to get your fingerprinting done before starting the online application process.
Passport Photo: You need to submit a passport style photo in your NJ application.
U.S. Citizen: You need to be an American citizen or be legally allowed to work in NJ. You will have to submit a copy of US or NJ government ID in the NJ security license application.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
NJ Approved Security License Course: You need to take a New Jersey approved 25hr security licensing course. Information on the course will be made available to you after submitting you NJ Security Guard license application.
Specialized NJ Security Guard: There are multiple specialized NJ security fields you can enter, such as armed security. These fields require SORA approved education.
Fee: You will have to pay a small licensing fee, around $140USD. This is for the application and fingerprinting.
Application: You can apply for a NJ Security Guard license via online portal.
What Does a New Jersey Security Guard Do?
New Jersey Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
New Jersey Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for a New Jersey Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
New Jersey Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (New Jersey Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in New Jersey document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many New Jersey security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
New Jersey Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. New Jersey Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
New Jersey Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,
Evacuation of the security site.
Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.
Contacting supervisors.
Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.
New Jersey Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If a New Jersey Security Guard is working in a team environment, they will usually meet for a pre-shift briefing at a set location. Once the meeting has been completed the New Jersey Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In New Jersey security site locations with customers, Guards will do a lot of patrolling. This can be in a building or outside in places such as parking lots.
New Jersey Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as a New Jersey Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of a New Jersey Security Guard’s job. This will be on a continuous basis with follow ups on issues seen.
When it comes to security sites in the service industry, New Jersey Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, New Jersey Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for New Jersey security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. New Jersey Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, a New Jersey Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the New Jersey security site is a residence, responding to noise complaints will be a big part of the job.
Of course, catching shoplifters will be a constant for a New Jersey Security Guard in a site with customers.
New Jersey Security Guards Work at Security Gates
New Jersey Security Guards will patrol parking areas to make sure vehicles are registered at that security site.
Every person entering through the security gate will produce valid photo ID to the New Jersey Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the New Jersey Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for New Jersey EMS vehicles.
New Jersey Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at a New Jersey security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all New Jersey Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
New Jersey EMS/ ambulances will often be called by New Jersey Security Guards.
The New Jersey Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
New Jersey Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other New Jersey Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
New Jersey Security Guards will always remain calm and professional. Furthermore, they will assist however they can.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years working in security. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous security training programs in various capacities.