Are you interested in making a career change, but afraid that you won’t find any solid options in today’s economy due to the fact you never went beyond high school for education? Luckily, there are still some pretty decent paying jobs out there that don’t require a degree and yet still have a high demand, even in today’s current economic state. Security guarding is certainly one of these fields, after all, pretty much every major business, airport, and even some hotels and apartment complexes have need of trained and licensed security guards.
Security guard training in South Carolina is largely done by employers, but you are required to have a minimum of 4 hours of training and receive your license by the state. Unlike many other state, though, you actually don’t do any of the processing paperwork. It is the responsibility of the hiring company to make sure you get certified, though you may be asked to cover the $65 licensing fee.
So what requirements do you need in order to become a guard? At minimum, you’ll need the following:
- You will need to be at least 18 years of age.
- You will need a High School diploma or a GED.
- You must have proof of citizenship or the right to work in the States.
- You must be mentally capable of performing the duties on hand.
- You must successfully complete a background check.
- You must have a record free of convictions.
- Must undergo fingerprinting.
- You must submit to a criminal background check.
- You will need to meet all required training by a SLED certified trainer.
If you meet believe you can successfully meet all the above requirements, the first thing you should do is start looking for prospective employers. After being hired, they will submit you to the proper amount of required security guard training in South Carolina. This includes at least 4 hours of basic training in at least some of the following topics:
- Role of Private Security
- Legal Aspects
- Patrol and Observation
- Incident Response
- Surveillance operation and documentation
- Working with the public and customer service issues
- First Aid Overview
Outside of the above topics for security guard training in South Carolina, you may also need additional training if you are interested in an armed guard position.
The armed guard position generally will pay better, but also has a higher licensing fee ($110), and requires an additional four hours of armed security guard training in South Carolina that cover how to use your handgun and all the safety involved. Shotguns and rifles are prohibited for security guards in South Carolina.
No matter what you decide to do, armed or unarmed guard or even eventually moving into law enforcement, what is important is that by making the change now you can ensure a better future for yourself and your family. Good luck!