To Become a Security Guard in North Carolina does not require a Security Guard license. Furthermore, Security Guard licensing for employees does not really exist in North Carolina. The closest equivalent to a Security Guard license in North Carolina is to operate as a Security Guard as your own business.
As a North Carolina Security Guard, you will be regulated through your NC security employer.
So, to become a Security Guard in North Carolina, you will have to meet the requirements via your NC security employer. Once your NC security company registers you as a Security Guard you will get a registration card:
Security Guard Registration Card.
NC Security Guard Employee Requirements
North Carolina Department of Public safety
Age: You must be 18yo or older for NC unarmed security. You must be 21yo or older for NC armed security.
North Carolina Security Sponsor: You must be employed by a North Carolina security company. Your first step in becoming a NC Security Guard will begin with getting employed.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind. You will have to submit a records check.
U.S. Citizen: You need to be an American citizen or be legally allowed to work in North Carolina.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
NC Security Training: Within one month of getting hired, you need to take a 16hr security course that will be administered by your NC security company.
What Does a North Carolina Security Guard Do?
North Carolina Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
North Carolina Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for a North Carolina Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
North Carolina Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (North Carolina Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in North Carolina document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many North Carolina security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
North Carolina Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. North Carolina Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
North Carolina 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.
North Carolina Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If a North Carolina 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 North Carolina Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In North Carolina 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.
North Carolina Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as a North Carolina Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of a North Carolina 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, North Carolina Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, North Carolina Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for North Carolina security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. North Carolina Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, a North Carolina Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the North Carolina 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 North Carolina Security Guard in a site with customers.
North Carolina Security Guards Work at Security Gates
North Carolina 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 North Carolina Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the North Carolina Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for North Carolina EMS vehicles.
North Carolina Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at a North Carolina security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all North Carolina Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
North Carolina EMS/ ambulances will often be called by North Carolina Security Guards.
The North Carolina Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
North Carolina Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other North Carolina Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
North Carolina 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.