Texas Security Officers are licensed or Commissioned, employed by a licensed company, or under a Letter of Authority. All licensed and Commissioned Officers are required to have a Pocket Card on their person while working.
In Texas, there are three types of licensed Security Officers, and Security Officers must work for Private Security Program (PSP) licensed companies. Security Officers are licensed or Commissioned by PSP to perform assigned duties. PSP does not have a Level I Security Officer. A licensed Noncommissioned Security Officer (Level II) Officer wears and approved uniform. A Commissioned Security Officer (Level III) wears an approved uniform and has an authorization issued by PSP that entitles a Commissioned Security Officer to carry a firearm. A Personal Protection Officer (PPO) (Level IV) is a Commissioned Security Officer licensed to perform personal protection activities described by 1702.202 TOC. The PPO may wear an approved uniform, or plain clothes. P3TC offers a Combo Course that includes Levels II, III, and IV in one class.
Level III and IV training shall be accomplished by a licensed training academy. If Level III training is taken online, it shall be followed by a mandatory Part 2 session of in-person training with firearms proficiency. You need to register for: Security Officer: Level III (Online Part-2) In-Person Handgun Proficiency & Self-Defense.
You must be a Level II to be a Level III, you must also be a Level III to be a Level IV. If you are not already licensed, you must submit training certificates with your application.
Level III online training courses do not include Level II training. Level II training must be taken separately, online or in-person. The 15-hour Level IV training course is only taught in-person. P3TC Level III and Combo courses include Level II training requirements. Therefore, you will receive a Level II certificate upon graduation.
All Level III Commissioned Security Officers and Level IV Personal Protection Officers must pass the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) prior to State licensing. (MMPI Docs)
“Please be advised under the Private Security Act (Occ. Code Chapter 1702) and Administrative Rule 35.4 (37 Tex. Admin. Code 1), a criminal conviction may disqualify you from a Commission or license under the Act. You may wish to review Rule 35.4’s list of disqualifying offenses and the related periods of ineligibility, available on the department’s website at www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/psb/index.htm (click on the link to Administrative Code). You also have a right to request from the department a criminal history evaluation letter under Occupations Code Section 53.102.”
Security Officer pay rates vary by account and assignment. Upon graduation and obtaining successful employment, Level II position pay rates average about $10.00 per hour, Level III average pay rates are about $12.00-$13.00, and Level IV Officers can make anywhere between $35.00-$85.00 and hour. Overtime is often available if Officers are willing and available to work extra hours.
P3TC’s Security Officer Training Academy based in San Antonio Texas is not only licensed by the PSP (F24134601), but also approved by the Texas Workforce Commission to teach you how to protect client(s) and property. The academy offers the fullest catalog of security related courses in the area e.g. PSP Level II, III and IV, Level II/III/IV Combo course, Basic/Advanced Baton, Basic/Advanced Handcuffing (all handcuffing is tactical), OC Pepper Spray, Unarmed Defensive Tactics, B/I/A Handgun, Shotgun and Rifle, Defense/Tactical Response, FA/CPR/AED, Bleeding Control, etc. Many of the courses are approved for civilian participation and may be eligible for TCOLE credit.
Individual officers say P3TC is their preferred training provider, as do many of the local Security Service Contractors, Guard Companies, and national Security Guard and Security Officer training companies e.g. Security Guard Exchange. Rumor has it; a P3TC training certificate puts you ahead of other applicants.
Do your own research. All the training schools charge about the same, so price is not a major concern. Ask Security Officers working in the marketplace where to get trained. They will also tell you where to go to learn, or just get by. Then, check them out for yourself. Get the instructor’s CV and ask the question; “Should I trust this person with my life?” “Who trained them?” “What experience do they have?”
It is said, if you want a career as a PSP licensed security professional, or serve the client as a Security Officer, P3TC is where you want to train. The instructor cadre is seasoned and the course content is second to none.
If you have questions, contact P3TC at Training@P3TC.com or call the office at 210-685-0PPP (0777).
*Please be advised under the Private Security Act (Occ. Code Chapter 1702) and Administrative Rule 35.4 (37 Tex. Admin. Code 1), a criminal conviction may disqualify you from a Commission or license under the Act. You may wish to review Rule 35.4’s list of disqualifying offenses and the related periods of ineligibility, available on the department’s website at http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/psb/index.htm (click on the link to Administrative Code). You also have a right to request from the department a criminal history evaluation letter under Occupations Code Section 53.102.