So you want to become a security guard? We’ll walk you through the exact steps on how to become a security guard in Illinois. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re on to a rewarding career with advancement opportunities. We’re happy to help get you there.
Illinois requires licensing for security guards, officers, contractors, investigators, and more. If you work in the industry, you need a security license. Obtaining an Illinois security license isn’t difficult and is relatively inexpensive.
Step 1 – Get Security Training
This is the first step in becoming a security guard in Illinois. It all starts here with your training. Illinois security guards are required to complete at least 20 hours of initial training. This training can be completed in person or online. In fact, we offer a convenient and affordable option for anyone looking to become a security guard in Illinois.
Start here -> IL 20-hour Unarmed Certification Course
This training course is instructed by state of Illinois licensed instructors, plus our unique curriculum has been approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). We’ve got all the credentials necessary to train you to become a security guard in Illinois.
Step 2 – Apply for your Security License
Once you’ve completed your training course, you can apply for the PERC. The PERC is the Permanent Employee Registration Card and is the name for the Illinois unarmed security officer license. You may obtain a PERC card from the IDFPR. In our IL 20-hour Unarmed Certification Course we walk you through the exact steps to apply for the PERC. However, we’ve also written an article 5 Steps on How to Get Your PERC Card in Illinois.
This security license is valid to work in places like Chicago, Rockford, St. Louis and is required throughout the entire state of Illinois.
Step 3 – Start the Interview Process
Once you’ve completed your training and applied for your PERC, start applying for security jobs. When employers see you’ve got your training certificate and a receipt for the PERC application, the hiring managers will move you to the top of the list. They know you’re trained and ready to hit the ground running. They know you’ve already completed the necessary steps to legally work as a security guard in Illinois.
Bring your training certificate with you to your job interviews. Employers love to see them!
Start your job search with job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn. Security work is always in demand in places like Illinois. On these job boards, you can sort by location, wage, and apply other filters to make sure you’re applying for the right security job. You can also subscribe to be notified about new job postings. These job boards are invaluable as you progress and grow in your security career.
You might also like this article to help you with the job interview process: 10 Job Interview Tips for Security Guards
Requirements to become a Security Guard in Illinois
In addition to the training, Illinois has some basic requirements to become a security guard. To become a security guard in Illinois, you must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- Have a highschool diploma or GED.
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the US.
- No felonies.
If you want to work as an armed security guard, there are additional requirements.
There are additional requirements if you want to work as an armed security guard in Illinois. Working armed starts with additional Armed Security Officer Training.
Armed Security guards also must be:
- At least 21 years old.
- Obtain a Firearm Owner ID (We explain how to easily do this in our Armed Training course.)
- Obtain a Firearm Control Card (Your employer does this once your training is complete.)
Get Started Now
Ready to start your security career? We’re eager to get you started down your path to success. Whether you’re looking to get your feet wet in law enforcement or simply looking for a part time job on the side, it all starts now. Sign up for our affordable and convenient online training course: IL 20-hour Unarmed Certification Course.
Once you’ve completed your Security Training course, we will issue you a genuine Illinois certificate of Basic Security Training. That’s it! It’s that simple to get started and become a security guard in Illinois.
Now you know how to become a security guard in Illinois. We’re here to help get you started in your security career. Let us know if you have any questions!
