Becoming a Security Guard in South Carolina is similar to a lot of other states: you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual security licensing requirements of this nature.
Furthermore, to get a Security Guard license in South Carolina, you need to take a government approved Security Guard licensing course:
"Primary Basic" security license course.
In SC, the government body that controls a South Carolina Security Guard's license is the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
So, it is SLED that will have to approved the SC Security Guard Primary Basic licensing providers.
On top of this, you will need to first be employed by a SC security company.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements to SLED, you will get your South Carolina Security Guard license and officially be registered as a Security Guard with the state of South Carolina.
South Carolina Security Guard License Requirements
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Sponsor: You need to be employed by a SC security company. Your SC security employer can help you through the application process.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind or be under investigation for a crime. You will need to include the records document in your application.
Mental Illness: You cannot have a history of mental illness.
U.S. Citizen: You need to be an American citizen or be legally allowed to work in South Carolina. You will have to submit a copy of government ID to SLED.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
South Carolina Approved Security License Course: You need to take a SC approved security course called Primary Basic.
Specialized SC Security Guard: There are multiple specialized security fields you can enter, such as armed security. These fields require SC approved education.
SLED
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
What Does a South Carolina Security Guard Do?
South Carolina Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
South Carolina Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for a South Carolina Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
South Carolina Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (South Carolina Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in South Carolina document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many South 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).
South Carolina Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. South Carolina Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
South 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.
South Carolina Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If a South 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 South Carolina Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In South 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.
South Carolina Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as a South Carolina Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of a South 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, South 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, South Carolina Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for South Carolina security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. South Carolina Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, a South Carolina Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the South 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 South Carolina Security Guard in a site with customers.
South Carolina Security Guards Work at Security Gates
South 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 South Carolina Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the South Carolina Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for South Carolina EMS vehicles.
South Carolina Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at a South Carolina security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all South Carolina Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
South Carolina EMS/ ambulances will often be called by South Carolina Security Guards.
The South Carolina Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
South Carolina Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other South Carolina Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
South 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.