School Security Officer (SSO) Certification Program

Chapter 240 of the Administrative Code of Virginia mandates that all SSOs in the commonwealth must be certified by DCJS. To be certified as an SSO, an individual must:

• Be employed as an SSO by a public, private, or religious school, or by a private security company with a current contract to provide security services to a public, private, or religious school,
• In addition to meeting all the hiring requirements of the employing school board, the individual must:
  •  Undergo a background investigation to include fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiry of both the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Have a high school diploma, have passed the General Educational Development exam, or have passed the National External Diploma Program
  • Be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Possess a valid driver's license if required by the duties of office to operate a motor vehicle
  • Successfully complete basic first aid training. The level and substance of such training shall be at the discretion of the employing school division
• Successfully complete a 16-hour DCJS-sponsored SSO Initial Certification Training course. (The course must be completed within 60 days of hire as an SSO.)
• Submit to the department a properly completed and signed application for certification from the localities in a format provided by the department.  All applications and correspondence should be routed through the school or division's Point of Contact (POC).

Following a review, DCJS will issue a certificate to the individual and the school division that shall be in effect for 2 years.

SSO Recertification
SSO certification must be renewed every 2 years.  (The expiration date can be found on the certificate.)  During each 2-year certification period, the SSO must complete 16 hours of in-service training. The in-service training must be school security officer-related, to include a legal update.  Additional requirements for recertification include:

• A completed and signed Recertification Application must be received by DCJS at least 30 days before certification expiration.
• Proof of completion of the required in-service training must accompany the Recertification application.
• All applications and correspondence should be routed through the school or division's Point of Contact (POC).

SSO In-Service Requirements
DCJS allows each school division to determine if an in-service training event meets the standards of 6VAC20-240-50, including the legal update requirement. By signing the Recertification Application, the school designee acknowledges that the in-service has been reviewed and found compliant with the Administrative Code. 

Although not required, we encourage SSOs to explore the training opportunities available on the VCSCS Training Page and in our Benchmark Learning System.  Our Benchmark Learning Management System is an excellent "one-stop" resource for courses on K-12 school safety, security, or welfare.  Additionally, Benchmark offers a variety of course delivery methods, including in-person classes, webinars, and self-directed online instruction.  Access is free but requires an account.  For more information, visit our Benchmark webpage.

Instructors
The Administrative Code of Virginia 6VAC20-240-70 grants DCJS the authority to approve instructors to deliver school security officer training and sets forth the requirements for these instructors.  Individuals who meet these requirements and submit the necessary application may be approved and certified by DCJS as an Instructor. 

To be a certified SSO Instructor, an individual must:

1. Be currently certified as a school security officer, employed by the department, or acting as a consultant for the department;
2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) or have passed the National External Diploma Program;
3. Have a minimum of:
   1. Three years of management or supervisory experience as a school security officer or with any federal, military police, state, county, or municipal law-enforcement agency in a related field; or
   2. Five years of general experience as a school security officer, or with a federal, state, or local law-enforcement agency in a related field;
4. Have completed:
   1. A school security officer instructor course approved by the department; or
   2. Have a minimum of one year of experience as an instructor or teacher in an accredited educational institution or law enforcement agency.
5. Submit to DCJS:
   1. A properly completed SSO Instructor Application;
   2. Documentation verifying that the applicant meets the minimum eligibility requirements pursuant to this section;
   3. Documentation verifying previous instructor experience, training, work experience, and education for those subjects in which certification is requested.

Individuals who are unable to meet all of these requirements, yet possess previous instructor training or related experience, may submit a Request for Waiver of Instructor Approval Qualifications form for review by the department. The department reserves the right to review each waiver application and evaluate qualifications and experience on an individual basis.

Following a review, DCJS will issue a certificate to the individual and the school division that shall be in effect for 2 years.

NOTE: Instructors who also wish to actively serve as SSOs must maintain both SSO and Instructor certifications, including the separate in-service training requirements for each.

Instructor Recertification
Instructor certification must be renewed every 2 years.  (The expiration date can be found on the certificate.)  During each 2-year certification period, the Instructor must complete 8 hours of in-service training. Additional requirements for recertification include:

• A completed and signed Instructor Recertification Application must be received by DCJS at least 30 days before certification expiration.
• Proof of completion of the required in-service training must accompany the Recertification application. 
• All applications and correspondence should be routed through the school or division's Point of Contact (POC).

Instructor In-Service Requirements
DCJS allows each school division to determine if an in-service training event meets the standards of 6VAC20-240-80. By signing the Instructor Recertification Application, the school designee acknowledges that the in-service has been reviewed and found compliant with the Administrative Code. 

Although not required, we encourage Instructors to explore the training opportunities available on the VCSCS Training Page and in our Benchmark Learning System. Our Benchmark Learning Management System is an excellent "one-stop" resource for courses on K-12 school safety, security, or welfare.  Additionally, Benchmark offers a variety of course delivery methods, including in-person classes, webinars, and self-directed online instruction. Access is free but requires an account. For more information, visit our Benchmark webpage.

Armed school security officer eligibility requirements are set forth in Virginia Code 22.1-280.2:1. The armed SSO must meet all of the following criteria and be a certified SSO before they may carry a firearm in the performance of their duties.

Local school boards and private or religious schools may employ school security officers, as defined in § 9.1-101, for the purposes set forth therein. Such school security officer may carry a firearm in the performance of their duties if the SSO:

• Is a former law enforcement officer within 10 years from hire date with the school;
• Retired or resigned from their position in law-enforcement in good standing;
• Meets the training and qualifications standards described in subsection C of § 18.2-308.016 ;and
• Provides proof of training completion in Active Shooter Emergency Response, Emergency Evacuation Procedure, and Threat Assessment;
• If training is provided by law enforcement, it shall be of the locality in which he is employed as an SSO.

Additionally,

• Local school board or private or religious school shall solicit input from the chief law enforcement officer of the locality to ensure the SSO is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, purchasing, or transporting a firearm.
• The local school board or private or religious school must grant the SSO authority to carry a firearm in the performance of his duties.

Current law enforcement, current or former military or military police, and individuals with an armed endorsement through private security or a concealed weapons permit do not satisfy the Code requirements to be an armed SSO.

Forms for SSOs
SSO Initial Certification Application
SSO Recertification Application
SSO Certification Program – Request for Extension

Forms for Instructors
Instructor Application
Request for Waiver of Instructor Approval Qualifications
Instructor Recertification Application
Initial Certification – Training Class Request
SSO Training Roster Template

Other Forms
SSO Armed Training Completion