How to Become a Security Guard in Indiana

If you want to know more about becoming a security guard in Indiana, this guide is for you!

We’ll describe the job in-depth, as well as tell you what you need to enter this field.

Security Guard Job Description and Requirements

Unlike most other states, in Indiana security guards don’t need to be licensed.

However, those that run a security agency do need a license.

The Indiana Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board is the licensing body for these professionals.

Individuals need to complete one of the following:

• A baccalaureate degree in a field related to criminal justice
• 2 years of qualifying experience

There are other requirements candidates need to meet when applying for a security guard job:

• Being at least 21 years old
• Pass a criminal background
• Have liability insurance
• Provide the appropriate documentation
• Pay the fees

Security guards cannot carry firearms.

If you want to do so, you’ll need to contact the Indiana State Police.

Security guards are expected to complete tasks such as:

• Patrolling a designated area
• Keep an eye on TV cameras and alarms
• Write reports about what you found during your checkups
• Collaborating with law enforcement
• Reporting any suspicious incidents
• Ensuring the laws are respected on your employer’s property

Each employer might give additional tasks to the security agents.

Education and Experience Requirements

As mentioned, you’ll either need a degree or appropriate experience to become a security guard.

If you choose the educational route, you’ll need to have a degree in criminal justice, though a related field might also be accepted.

You’ll have to make sure that the program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Criminal Justice Programs.

6 other regional accrediting institutions can accredit these programs.

If you choose the experience route, you’ll need to accumulate 4,000 hours of work in security and investigations-related fields.

There are a few conditions to consider.

Individuals who come from private security agencies need:

• To have worked at the management or administrative level
• To come from a company with at least 20 employees

If the company had less than 20 employees, the experience must be equivalent.

The Board will have to analyze these instances as they appear.

Individuals who worked on the following positions are also accepted:

• Private investigator
• Manager or supervisor of a private investigation company
• Sheriff’s investigator
• An investigator for the United States Department of the Treasury
• An investigator for the United States Department of Justice
• Claims investigator
• Armed forces criminal investigator
• Military or security police
• Law enforcement officer
• Railroad police or investigator
• Attorney or investigator for attorney

Background Check Requirements

Candidates won’t become licensed if their criminal background check shows felonies and misdemeanors.

The fingerprint-based background check is carried out by the Indiana State Police, though the approved vendor, MorphoTrust, processes the fingerprints.

To have your fingerprints collected, you need to make an appointment either by phone or online.

You’ll also need to provide fingerprint-based background checks from all the places you resided in, during the previous 7 years.

If you’ve been in the military, you can submit the DD-214 form instead along with the background checks from the residency places post-discharge.

Liability Insurance Policy

As mentioned earlier, you’ll need liability insurance to work as a security guard.

The policy has to cover at least $100,000 in damages.

Keep in mind that:

• You can get the insurance after your application is approved
• You’ll receive your license only after you have the policy

Application Process

The website of the Professional Licensing Agency has all the forms you need to fill out to apply for the license.

Your employer will have to fill out the experience form.

This document can be replaced by the DD-214 form if you have military experience.

Official transcripts will verify your academic education.

Your application also needs a passport-quality photo.

You’ll need to send verification for all the licenses you obtained during the past 10 years, even if they’re not related to the security field.

You’re required to send notarized statements if you answered “yes” to legal or professional history questions.

These will include court documents as well if you have them.

The application fee is $300, though depending on the renewal cycle, you might have to pay only $150.

Candidates may have a meeting with the Board as well, and meeting dates are posted online.

The documents must arrive at least a week before the meeting date.

Generally, only candidates whose applications are labeled “tabled” need to appear before the Board.

The “approved pending” labeled means you need to send in some more papers.

The other 2 labels are self-explanatory:

• Approved
• Denied

Salary Information

The more experience you accumulate in this position the higher your salary will be.

In Indiana, in cities like Hammond and Gary, but not only, average salaries are higher.

Regional Salary in Indiana

Additional Information

The Board will contact candidates who need to send in more papers or who need to show up for an interview.

The Professional Licensing Agency oversees the Indiana Private Investigator and Security Licensing Board.

Security Guard License by State