SSO certification is valid for 2 years. Within those 2 years, SSO’s are required to receive 16 hours of school security related training and have their point of contact submit a recertification application and accompanying documentation to DCJS. Extensions may be granted for certain circumstances (see above).

As a SSO, you will only be certified if you are employed by a school division. SSO’s can also be “decertified” byDCJS after receiving notification from the employing institution of the SSO’s:

• conviction, guilty plea, or no contest to a felony, or
• failure to comply with training or recertification standards, or
• refusal or failure of a drug test, or
• violation of any standard of conduct found in 6 VAC 20-240-40,
• violation of any other school board policy, or
• termination for cause.

A decertified SSO may appeal to DCJS, if written notice is received by the Director of DCJS within 30 days of decertification.