There are two types of instructor certifications:
Private Security Services Instructor: one who instructs in at least one category of private security subjects for a certified training school.
Firearms Instructor: one who instructs in at least one category of private security firearm subjects for a certified training school. Firearms Instructors MUST first be certified as a Private Security Services Instructor.
Initial Private Security Services Instructor Certification
Eligibility Requirements
Training Requirements
0–40 Hours, consisting of one of the following:
Experience
Official documentation verifying previous instructor experience, training, work experience, and education for those subjects in which certification is requested to include the use and handling of a firearm in the performance of duties for Firearms Instructor categories.
Submit to DCJS
Additional Forms
Criminal History Supplemental Form: The form must be uploaded with your online application if you have ever been convicted or found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other jurisdiction to include military court martial or currently under protective orders.
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Initial Firearms Instructor Certification
The requirements can be found in 6VAC20-173-90 of the Regulations. Instructor certifications are issued for 24 months.
Eligibility
Individual must first be certified with DCJS as a Private Security Services Instructor.
Training
0-40 hours consisting of one of the following:
Additional Forms
Applications should be received by DCJS at least 30 days prior to expiration.
Training should be completed at least 30 days prior to expiration.
Submit to DCJS
Training Requirements
4-8 Hours, consisting of:
Training Requirements
Criminal History Supplemental Form: The form must be uploaded with the Renewal Instructor Certification if you have been convicted or found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other jurisdiction to include military court martial since your last certification or currently under protective orders.
A person certified by DCJS to provide mandated instruction in private security subjects for a certified private security services training school.
You must possess a valid certification as an instructor. Your instructor certification will state which courses you are certified to teach.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Instructor page.
13E General Instructor Development (40 hours)
13I General Instructor In-service (4 Hours)
14I Firearms Instructor In-service (4 hours) and requalification on the range with a minimum range score of 85%.
Yes. You must have a certification as an instructor and work for a certified private security services school in order to instruct private security subjects.
Yes. You must have completed training prior to applying for certification as an instructor. For more information, please View the Apply and Renew page for Instructors.
No. View the training alternatives website for a list of schools that offer entry-level and/or in-service instructor training accepted by DCJS.
Certifications are valid for 24 months.
Most likely you will not have to take our general instructor development entry-level class. You will need to submit a partial training exemption application (PSS WA) and fee in order for us to evaluate and credit your law enforcement instructor training. You will also need to show official documentation of ongoing in-service training or experience conducting training if your entry-level training was completed more than 24 months prior to applying. After you have been notified of receiving credit for your training, you will need to submit the PSS IA initial instructor application, nonrefundable fee, and documentation of experience and/or training in the categories in which you are seeking certification to instruct.
Submit a written request to the attention of the Training Unit to include any additional documentation to verify eligibility to teach in the requested subjects. You must have training and/or experience in the specific category in order to be eligible for instructor certification. For more information, please refer to the following portion of the Regulations Relating to Private Security: 6 VAC 20-171-100. Initial instructor application. Please note that Firearms Instructors have additional requirements. Please see the question below.
Yes. All instructors must first be certified as private security instructors before they can be certified as firearms instructors.
Official documentation verifying previous instructor experience, training, work experience and education for those subjects in which certification is requested.
Yes. In order to be certified as a firearms instructor, you must first become certified as a private security services instructor. See next question for details.
You must complete the in-service training within 12 months immediately preceding the expiration date of your instructor certification.
The individual must complete all initial requirements including training.
