§34-27C-8. Training requirements.

(a) A person seeking certification as a security officer or an armed security officer shall have completed at least eight hours of board approved classroom training with a certified trainer. This training shall include, but may not be limited to, fire prevention, legal information relevant to providing security services, detention procedures, methods of handling crisis situations, methods of crowd control, and the use of equipment needed in providing security services. Training shall be completed as follows:

(1) Security officers and armed security officers employed as such on or before May 21, 2009, shall have until January 1, 2010, to complete the first four hours of training. The second four hours of training shall be completed by July 1, 2011.

(2) Persons hired as security officers or armed security officers after May 21, 2009, shall complete the first four hours of training within 30 days after their initial employment, and the second four hours of training shall be completed within six months after their initial employment.

(b) After initial certification in accordance with this chapter, security officers and armed security officers shall complete eight hours of board approved refresher training before submitting an application for certification renewal.

(c) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b), a person seeking certification as an armed security officer shall initially complete four hours of board approved firearms safety training and annually complete two hours of board approved firearms refresher training.

(d) The following persons are exempt from the basic training requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (c), except to the extent set forth below:

(1) Any security officer or armed security officer who, within three years before applying for certification, completed basic security training through a military, government, or security training institute that meets or exceeds the training required by this chapter. The board shall examine proof of training before declaring an applicant exempt. An initial exemption granted pursuant to this subdivision does not exempt an applicant from annual training requirements.

(2) Any security officer or armed security officer employed by a contract security company that has a training curriculum and standards that the board determines, upon presentation of proof of training, meet or exceed those required by this chapter.

(3) Any person who is employed as a sworn peace officer or who is a retired sworn peace officer.

(4) Any person who has a minimum of five years of continuous experience as a security officer or armed security officer is not subject to the eight hours of classroom training required in subsection (a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, such individual shall be required to complete annual training pursuant to subsections (b) and (c).

(e) The minimum training standards provided in this section are in addition to any qualifications required by an employing contract security company.

(Act 2009-640, p. 1960, §8.)