Documentation verifying that the applicant has secured one of the following:
Surety bond in the amount of $100,000 executed by a surety company authorized to do business in Virginia.
Certificate of insurance reflecting DCJS as a certificate holder, showing a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 and $300,000 issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Virginia.
Identification number issued by the Virginia State Corporation Commission for verification that the entity is authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth.
A physical location in Virginia where records required to be maintained by the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code are kept and available for inspection by DCJS. A post office box is not considered a physical location.
Designation of at least one individual as the training director who is not designated as training director for any other training school, and who is certified as an instructor. For more information, view the Instructor page.
A copy of the curriculum in course outline format for each category of training to be offered; including the hours of instruction with initial and in-service courses on separate documents.
A copy of the training school regulations.
A copy of the training completion certificate to be used by the training school.
A copy of the range regulations to include the assigned DCJS range identification number, if firearms training will be offered.
Renewal Certification
Training School Certifications are issued for 24 months. These requirements
can be found in 6
VAC 20-171-90.
Applications should be received by DCJS at least 30 days prior to expiration. Electronic roster submittal authorizations should be submitted at the same time as the training school renewal.
Documentation verifying that the applicant has secured one of the following:
Surety bond in the amount of $100,000 executed by a surety company authorized to do business in Virginia.
Certificate of insurance reflecting DCJS as a certificate holder, showing a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 and $300,000 issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Virginia.
What is a certified training school? A training school that is certified by DCJS for the specific purpose of training private security services business personnel in at least one category of the compulsory minimum training standards.
What is electronic roster submittal? Each training director/assistant training director has the authority to submit a training school roster to the DCJS electronically through our on-line system known as Osprey. This function is available after submitting an application and the required non-refundable fee. Visit the Osprey page for more information.
How many assistant training directors can a single school have? A single school can have four assistant training directors.
Is a training school required to have an assistant director? No. It is not required by DCJS.
Can the director be the sole instructor? Yes.
What type of license/registration/certification must I have? You must possess a valid certification as a certified training school before you can offer classes. Classes must be taught by instructors certified to instruct in the categories for which the school offers instruction.
When can a school begin conducting private security services classes in Virginia? A school can begin only after they have been issued a private security services training school certification or temporary certification.
Can DCJS grant a temporary exemption from the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration? For a period of no more than 30 days, DCJS may grant a temportary exemption only in situations deemed to be an emergency by DCJS.
What is the training school ID number? The official number issued to a private security services training school certified by DCJS. The number will be 88 followed by 4 digits (88-1234).
On what types of documentation must training schools include their certification number? The certification number must be included on business advertising material, display advertisements in telephone directories, letterhead, business cards, local newspaper advertising, and contracts.
What happens if a training school fails to maintain, at all times, current liability coverage in at least the minimum amount prescribed by the state regulations? The certification immediately becomes null and void and all initial requirements must be fulfilled.
What must a training school do upon termination of the training director? The school must submit the name of a new training director who is eligible for certification within 90 days following the sole training director's termination.
Can a private security services training school be issued an initial certification without a training director? No, a training director must be designated in writing on forms provided by DCJS.
How long is a training school certification valid? Training school certifications are valid for 24 months.
When should DCJS receive training school certification renewals? Renewals should be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to their expiration.
I didn't receive my renewal reminder. Can I get an extension? No. Timely renewal of applications for licenses, registrations, and certifications are the responsibility of the individual businesses, training schools, instructors, compliance agents, and individual personnel. As a courtesy, DCJS will send out renewal reminders to the last known mailing address of the training school.
