Steps to Apply to Be a Private Security Officer in Iowa:
Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.
Criminal History: You must not have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors. A background check will be conducted to verify this.
Education: You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete Required Training: Private security officers in Iowa must complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training. This training must cover topics such as the role of a security officer, ethics, legal issues, and other areas necessary for the job.
Additional training may be required depending on the duties and responsibilities of your job. Some jobs might require more hours of training or specialized training.
Complete the Application: You need to submit a completed Private Security Officer application to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This includes providing all requested information about your personal background, work history, and any relevant certifications.
The application can be found on the Iowa Department of Public Safety website.
Submit Fingerprints for a Background Check: You are required to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will perform this check to verify that you have no disqualifying criminal history (e.g., felony convictions).
Fingerprinting can be done at an authorized location, and you will need to provide the fingerprint cards or use a digital fingerprint service, depending on the guidelines at the time of your application.
Pay the Application Fee: You will need to submit an application fee along with your application. The fee covers the processing of your application and the background check, and may be included in your employer's hiring policy.
Application Review: After submitting your application, background check, and other documentation, the Iowa Department of Public Safety will review your application.
If your application is approved and you meet all the requirements, you will receive your Private Security Officer license. This process is not automatic, and may require 14 business days to complete. You will be notified by e-mail when the process is complete.
Maintain Your License: Once you are licensed, you must comply with any continuing education requirements or renewal processes. Typically, security officer licenses need to be renewed after a certain period, and you may need to take additional training to keep your license active. If you are terminated or quit employment, you must return your issued card to either the Agency you worked for, or to the Department of Public Safety.