Campus Security Officers

A CSO may submit an Educational Requirement Waiver Application to forgo compulsory minimum training if the candidate has a minimum of 5 years experience as a CSO, and can pass each module exam with at least a 70%.

If for some reason, training cannot be met in the provided 180 days, a Certification Program - Permission for Extension request may be submitted to DCJS. The CSO point of contact must sign off on the form and indicate the reason for the extension request. Extensions may be granted in the instance of illness, military service, etc.

To become a CSO instructor, the applicant must submit an Instructor Application to DCJS and meet the following criteria:

• possess a high-school diploma, GED, or equivalent,
• possess 2 years management or supervisory experience as a CSO or LEO or 3 years general experience as a CSO or LEO 
• possess 1 year of experience as an instructor in an accredited institution.

CSO certification is valid for 2 years. Within those 2 years, CSOs are required to receive 16 hours of campus security related training and have their point of contact submit an Application for Re-Certification and accompanying documentation to DCJS. Extensions may be granted for certain circumstances (see above). As a CSO, you will only be certified if you are employed by an institution. If you are not employed, you will be labeled as "suspended" until you are employed by another institution. CSOs can also be "decertified" by DCJS after receiving notification from the employing institution of the CSOs:

• 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
• failure to tell the truth, or
• termination for cause.

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

Once hired, based on the requirements above, a CSO applicant must complete the following within 180 days:

• first aid training, as determined by the employing institution,
• Introduction to the Incident Command System (IS-100.C) by FEMA, and
• compulsory minimum entry-level training (Curriculum below) and pass all portions with a 70% or higher.

To become a CSO, you must be hired by a campus or university and meet these requirements: (or hold a private security specialist certification or work part-time under 120 hrs annually)

• be a US citizen or legal resident,
• undergo a background check,
• possess a high-school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and
• be at least 18 years of age.