Resources

Official pay, job outlook and what the work involves, nationwide and by state. Use it to compare security work with other careers.

Pay in your state and city, typical duties and skills, and links to local jobs and training.

A free job search from the Department of Labor. Search "security officer" with your city or ZIP code.

Search "security guard" and pick your state to find the licensing agency and its requirements. Covers every state, DC and the territories.

Where DC security officer and special police officer licenses are issued: required documents, fees, fingerprints and the exam. Check here before you apply in DC.

A DC government summary of training hours for special police and security officers, current and proposed.

Maryland's requirements, the 12-hour training rule, fingerprints and how your employer submits the application. Check here before you apply in Maryland.

Answers on Virginia registration: the 18-hour entry-level course, working while you finish training, and renewal. Check here before you apply in Virginia.

The official rule listing the minimum training hours for each Virginia security registration.

Virginia's online system for applying for and renewing security registrations.

How a friendly greeting helps you notice concerning behavior early and respond safely. A quick read with a printable guide.

Free federal fact sheets on recognizing, assessing and calming tense situations, and when to report.

A free online federal course on workplace security. FEMA issues its own certificate when you pass the final exam.

A free online federal course on warning signs and responding to an active shooter, with a FEMA certificate.

Find accredited CPR, AED and first aid classes near you (in person or blended). Useful on almost any security post.

Find AHA CPR and first aid courses (Heartsaver, BLS) and training centers near you.

Hire Police's application page for security officer jobs in DC and Maryland.

Four free fact sheets from the federal government: Recognize, Assess, De-escalate and Report. The model this course follows. Good to print and keep at a front desk or break room.

Short free videos and a one-page action guide, also in Spanish, Chinese, French and Korean. Useful for team meetings or sharing with coworkers.

How a simple, friendly greeting helps you notice and respond to concerning behavior early. A quick read with a printable guide.

The emergency psychiatry consensus paper behind the two-arm's-length, one-voice and agree-with-something guidance. Written for clinicians, free to read.

Federal overview of workplace violence: who is at risk, risk factors and how employers set up prevention programs. Useful for managers and safety leads.

Recommendations for convenience stores, gas stations and other late-night retail: layout, staffing, cash handling and training. Useful for store managers.

California's rules requiring most employers to keep a written workplace violence prevention plan and train staff every year (Labor Code 6401.9). Useful if you work in California.

A free online federal course on recognizing warning signs and responding to an active shooter. FEMA issues its own certificate when you pass the final exam.

A free online federal course on how employees help keep a workplace secure. FEMA issues its own certificate when you pass the final exam.

The federal definition, the latest fatality numbers, who is at higher risk and what employers should do. A good first stop for managers.

The job conditions that raise the risk of violence, such as handling cash, working alone or working late.

OSHA's guides for building a prevention program, including industry guides for healthcare, taxi drivers and restaurants. Useful for managers and owners.

Practical measures for stores open late: lighting, sightlines, cash handling, door policies, robbery response and post-incident steps. Useful well beyond retail.

A two-page federal guide to the four types of workplace violence and CISA's CARE approach for leaders, HR and staff. Good to print for a break room.

The warning signs that often come before targeted violence, and how to report a concern. One page.

How a simple greeting helps you notice and respond to concerning behavior early, with printable guides.

Practical personal safety habits at work, in public and online, including what to do with a threatening phone call. Available in several languages.

How and when to report suspicious activity to local authorities.

CISA's main page for active threat guidance, free webinars and resources for businesses.

Run, Hide, Fight and what to do when law enforcement arrives, on one small printable card.

The video in lesson 5, also available in American Sign Language and other languages.

A guide, template and video to help an organization write its own emergency action plan. For managers.

What organizations should plan for after a violent incident: people, operations and communication.

A free online federal course on active shooter response. FEMA issues its own certificate when you pass the final exam.

A free online federal course on how employees help keep a workplace secure, with a FEMA certificate.

California's rules (Labor Code 6401.9) for written prevention plans, violent incident logs, training and records. Useful if you work in California.

The latest industry survey on shoplifting, violence during thefts and reporting to police, from October 2025.

The 2024 report comparing shoplifting in 2023 with 2019, from 164 mid-size and large retail brands.

Store layout, lighting, cash handling and robbery response for retail. Useful for managers setting up a store's routines.

Why a simple greeting helps you notice people and lets them know they've been seen. Printable guides.

Four one-page federal guides on recognizing, assessing, de-escalating and reporting tense situations.

How to report suspicious activity, and the reminder to judge behavior, never appearance.

A free online federal course on how employees help keep a workplace secure, with a FEMA certificate.

The federal guide most of this course follows: habits at home, at work, on foot, in the car, in rideshares and online. Available in several languages.

The kinds of behavior worth reporting, and the reminder that appearance is never suspicious.

What details to give, when to call 911, and a map of state and local tip lines.

How a simple greeting helps you notice and respond to concerning behavior early.

Four one-page federal guides on recognizing, assessing, de-escalating and reporting tense situations.

Federal tips for walking safely near traffic, recommended in CISA's guide.

Run, Hide, Fight and other active threat guidance, with free videos and printable cards.

A free online federal course on how employees help keep a workplace secure, with a FEMA certificate.

The official national bleeding control program: why it matters and the three actions anyone can take.

Search for a hands-on class near you, taught by approved instructors. Usually short and often free.

The federal awareness campaign, with links to classes and community programs.

A one-page, step-by-step poster on applying a tourniquet. Good to print and keep with a trauma kit.

A Red Cross online course on tourniquets and wound packing, from a national first aid provider.

Find in-person and blended first aid, CPR and AED classes near you.