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Add a New Certification or License

Each certification or license type offered is listed below and provides a brief overview of the minimum standards, forms and fees required for each type.  Please note, an individual may be approved for one certification type but denied other certification or license types if the individual does not meet the minimum standards for the specific certification or license type applied for.

Prior to application, please review the minimum standards for the type of certification or license you would like to apply for. Minimum Standard requirements are listed on the Background Information page by type and are also available in Oregon Administrative Rule.

The Program does not require a background check fee to add a certification or license if you are already certified or licensed with the program, however the program will conduct a background check prior to certification or licensure.

Notice: Effective January 1, 2021 New Moral Fitness Standards will be required and can be viewed on the Moral Fitness page prior to January 1, 2021

Links to Forms, Instructor Listing, Background Check Information and Frequently Asked Question pages can be found on the left navigation menu.

Certification and Licensure Types:

What is the process for becoming an Alarm Monitor Private Security Professional?

All applicants for certification or licensure must complete an application packet containing:

  1. PS-1 (Application for Licensure or Certification of Private Security Services Provider);​​​

  2. Form PS-6 (Affidavit of Instructor and Private Security Provider Testing Results) completed as prescribed by OAR 259-060-0060​; documenting completion of the training required.

  3. If currently employed, a completed Form PS-20 (Private Security Services Provider Temporary Work Permit).

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0300​.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.


​Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.

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What are the minimum standards for an Armed Private Security professional?

Be at least 21 years of age; and

 

Must have earned one of the following: 

  • A high school ​diploma; a General Education Development (GED) certificate; or a two or four-year, post-secondary degree issued by an accredited degree-granting college or university.

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.​

What forms do I need to submit for an Armed Private Security certification?

Applicants must complete an application packet containing:

  1. PS-1 (Application for Licensure or Certification of Private Security Services Provider);

  2. Form PS-23

  3. Form PS-6 (Affidavit of Instructor and Private Security Provider Testing Results) completed as prescribed by OAR 259-060-0060​; documenting completion of the training required.

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background.​​​​​​​

What is the process for adding an Event and Entertainment Security Professional Certification?

All applicants for certification or licensure must complete an application packet containing:

  1. PS-1 (Application for Licensure or Certification of Private Security Services Provider);

  2. Signed copies of Certificates of Completion of the Event and Entertainment course and exam;

  3. If currently employed, an original, completed Form PS-20 (Private Security Services Provider Temporary Work Permit)

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees

​​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0310.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.


What training do I need to complete for Event and Entertainment Professional certification?

Please review the information on the Event and Entertainment Online Training Information​ page. ​

What is the process for adding an Unarmed Private Security Professional Certification?

All applicants for certification or licensure must complete an application packet containing:

  1. PS-1 (Application for Licensure or Certification of Private Security Services Provider);

  2. Form PS-6 (Affidavit of Instructor and Private Security Provider Testing Results) completed as prescribed by OAR 259-060-0060​; documenting completion of the training required.

  3. If currently employed, a completed Form PS-20 (Private Security Services Provider Temporary Work Permit).

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees

Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0310.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.

​​Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.​

How do I add the supervisory manager license to my current certification?

Application packet for adding certification or licensure as a private security provider must be completed in its entirety and must include:

  1. A completed Form PS-1;

  2. If currently employed, a completed Form PS-20 (temporary work permits will not be issued to armed private security professionals or private security instructors);

  3. Completion of the private security manager course provided by the Private Security Program* 

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees.
*DPSST offers the manager course via a live virtual course and exam or an on-demand course module and exam.  Please review course options on the manager page​.

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.​

What are the minimum standards for an Executive Manager?

  • Be at least 21 years of age; and

  • Completed the basic classroom instruction, exam and assessments as defined in OAR 259-060-0120​

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320. 

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.​

How do I add the executive manager license to my current certification?

​​Application packet for adding certification or licensure as a private security provider must be completed in its entirety and must include:​​

  1. A completed Form PS-1;

  2. If currently employed, a completed Form PS-20 (temporary work permits will not be issued to armed private security professionals or private security instructors);

  3. Completion of the private security manager course provided by the Private Security Program* ​

  4. A completed Form PS-24;

  5. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees.​
*DPSST offers the manager course via a live virtual course and exam or an on-demand course module and exam.  Please review course options on the manager page​.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.​

What are the minimum standards for an Alarm Monitor Private Security Instructor certification?

Private Security Instructors must be:

  • At least 21 years of age; and

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a criminal background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.​

How do I add a new Instructor certification to my current certification?

Application packet for adding certification or licensure as a private security provider must be completed in its entirety and must include:

  1. A completed Form PS-1;

  2. Instructor applicants must submit proof demonstrating they meet the instructor prerequisites of a minimum of three years of work experience within ten years at the time of application for private security services, military police, or law enforcement fields.

  3. Request an Alarm Monitor Instructor webinar on the PS-1;*

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees.​​

*DPSST will register you for the course and email you course information after the application is processed

What are the minimum standards for an Unarmed Private Security Instructor certification?

Private Security Instructors must be:

  •    At least 21 years of age; and

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a criminal background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320​.

Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and discretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.​


How do I add a new Instructor certification to my current certification?

Application packet for adding certification or licensure as a private security provider must be completed in its entirety and must include:

  1. A completed Form PS-1;

  2. Instructor applicants must submit proof demonstrating they meet the instructor prerequisites of a minimum of three years of work experience within ten years at the time of application for private security services, military police, or law enforcement fields.

  3. Request an unarmed professional Instructor development course on the PS-1;*

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees.

*DPSST will register you for the course and email you course information after the application is processed.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.​​​

What are the minimum standards for a Firearms Instructor?
Private Security Instructors must be:

Be at least 21 years of age; and

​Be of good moral fitness as determined by a criminal background check, department investigation or other reliable sources. A lack of good moral fitness includes, but is not limited to, mandatory and discretionary disqualifying misconduct as described in OAR 259-060-0320.

​Please review the Background Check Information page to review mandatory and descretionary disqualifiers prior to applying for certification or licensure.

Additionally, an app​licant for certification as a firearms instructor must not:

  • ​Have been committed to the Mental Health and Development Disability Services Division under ORS 426.130, or similar order in another jurisdiction;

  • Have been found to be mentally ill and subject to an order under ORS 426.130 prohibiting the person from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;

  • Be prohibited under US Code Title 18, Section 922(g)(8) (relating to civil restraining orders including stalking or harassment) from possessing a firearm in interstate commerce; or

  • Be prohibited under any law of this state or any federal law from purchasing, owning or possessing a firearm.


What are the pre-qualification requirements for a Firearms Instructor?

Successful completion of:

  • Basic unarmed classroom instruction and exam;

  • A minimum of three years of work experience in private security services, military police, or law enforcement fields within the last ten years.

  • Basic firearms course;

  • Department-administered firearms private security instructor course and Department-approved marksmanship qualification; and

  • Proof of successful completion of training from one or more of the following sources no more than five years prior to the time of application:

    • The National Rifle Association Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development School;

    • A firearms instructor through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center;

    • A Department-certified law enforcement or criminal justice firearms instructor course;

    • A firearms instructor through the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

    • A private security firearms instructor through the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center; or

    • A qualified instructor certification course as determined by the Department.

  • ​Additionally firearms private security instructors must successfully complete annual firearms instructor marksmanship qualifications. Instructors must qualify on a target authorized by the Department, within three attempts in one day.

How do I apply to attend the Firearms Instructor course?

Applicants must complete an application packet containing:

  1. PS-1 (Application for Licensure or Certification of Private Security Services Provider);

  2. Proof of successful completion of a firearms instructor development course that consists of a minimum of 40 hours. The course must have been successfully completed within the five years prior to application.​

  3. Instructor applicants must submit proof demonstrating they meet the instructor prerequisites of a minimum of three years of work experience in private security services, military police, or law enforcement fields.

  4. Nonrefundable certification or licensure fees

  5. Attend the Firearms Instructor course*
*DPSST will register you for the course and email you course information after the application is processed.

Applicants adding certification or licensure who are currently certified or licensed or within the last four years at the time the Program receives the application to add certification or licensure are not required to pay the background check fee or submit fingerprints.
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