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May 15, 2023
RE: Tennessee Detection Services Licensing Program
Private Protective Services Security Guard Training Changes
Pursuant to Tennessee General Assembly Public Acts Chapter 367 (2023), several changes regarding the requirements for security guards regulated by the Detection Services Licensing Program (“Program”) take effect on July 1, 2023. The Program is providing you with this information to assist with compliance.
Effective July 1, 2023, it is a violation of the Program’s requirements and a Class A misdemeanor for an armed security guard who has not completed active shooter training to provide security or patrol services in or at a public school, a public charter school, a private school, or a church-related school.
First, all armed security guards providing security or patrol services in public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and church-related schools will be required to complete an 8-hour active shooter training prior to providing services in the school. This training is required for armed guards working in these schools, regardless of whether the armed guard is employed by the school or a contract security company. Armed guards providing services in colleges and universities are not required to complete this additional training, although they may voluntarily complete active shooter trainings and have the proof of completion added to their files by sending it to the Program.
Second, armed guards working in public schools, public charter schools, private schools, or church-related schools will also need to complete active shooter refresher training and provide proof of the completed refresher training before they renew their armed guard registration cards.
Additionally, if you employ security guards at public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and/or church-related schools, the guards must have all relevant training completed prior to working in the school. Unarmed guards working in public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and/or church-related schools must have their general guard training completed prior to working in one of these schools. Armed guards working in public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and/or church-related schools must have their general guard training, all armed guard training, and active-shooter training completed prior to working in one of these schools. Although guards working in working in public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and/or church-related schools may still work on a pending application, they must have all training completed prior to providing security or patrol services.
You can find certified trainers and approved active shooter training providers on the Program’s website at https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/pps/licensee-applicant-resources/certified-training.html. The website will show you where you can complete an approved active shooter training. After completing an approved training, you must submit proof of completion on the Program’s website: https://vo.cloud.commerce.tn.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance by phone at 615-741-4827 or by e-mail at private.protective@tn.gov.
Sincerely,
Alex Martin
Assistant Commissioner
Division of Regulatory Boards
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