State Approved Training Programs

Advance Your Career with
Certified Training

Choose the package that fits your professional development goals. The first 3 packages include state required certification.

State Required Certificate

$65 $85
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ No career enhancement electives
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit  
MOST POPULAR

State Required Certificate + 1 Elective

$95 $125
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 State credit and 1 Elective credit
Advanced

State Required Certificate + 3 Electives

$140 $205
  • ✓ State Required Certificate Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit and 3 elective credits   

Career Enhancement Electives are optional training courses taken in addition to your state required certification. Guards who complete electives earn approximately 23% more per hour than those who don’t. Examples include De-escalation Training, Power to Arrest, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Explore all electives

1 Elective

$35 $40
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 1 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 1 elective credit   

3 Electives

$90 $120
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 3 elective credits

5 Electives

$125 $200
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 5 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 5 Elective Credits   

Three Simple Steps to Get Started

  • Step 1
    Choose Your Package

    Start with the State-required certification, or bundle in 1–3 career enhancement elective to grow your skills and earning potential.

  • Step 2
    Complete Checkout

    Complete checkout in seconds. Your account instantly shows your available certification and career enhancement elective credits.

  • Step 3
    Redeem Your Credits

    Begin your state-required certification immediately. Use your career enhancement elective credits anytime to choose the specialty courses that help you qualify for better-paying posts.
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Courses Available in Georgia Security Guard License & Guard Card Training

How to Get Your Georgia Guard Card

BecomWhat is a Georgia guard card?e a security guard

In Georgia, the "guard card" is your state registration to work as an unarmed security officer. It's issued after you complete the 24-hour basic training and pass a background check run through the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.

You finish the required coursework online with us, then your employing security company submits your registration and fingerprints to the state. Most guards in Atlanta and across GA get hired first and complete the process through their company.

Start with our Georgia 24-hour unarmed guard card course to meet the training requirement the same day.

Steps to get your GA security license

  1. Confirm you're 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, with no disqualifying felony record.
  2. Complete the 24-hour basic security officer training online.
  3. Get hired by a licensed Georgia security company, which sponsors your registration.
  4. Submit GBI and FBI fingerprints for your background check.
  5. Receive your guard card and start working posts across GA.

New to the field? Our guide on how to become a security guard in Georgia walks through each step in plain language.

Armed Security License in Georgia

An armed security license in Georgia lets you carry a firearm on duty. It builds on the unarmed guard card, so you complete the standard 24-hour training first, then add the firearms requirements before you can be commissioned as an armed officer.

Extra requirements for armed work

  • A valid Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWL) from your county probate court.
  • State-approved firearms training and a live-fire qualification.
  • A cleared GBI and FBI fingerprint background check.
  • Sponsorship by a licensed armed security company.

Why armed guards earn more

Armed posts in Atlanta, bank and courier details, and high-risk sites pay a premium over unarmed roles. Pairing your license with electives like Power to Arrest and De-escalation makes you a stronger hire and pushes your hourly rate higher.

Unarmed vs. Armed Security License in Georgia

Detail Unarmed Guard Card Armed Security License
Basic training 24 hours, online 24 hours + firearms training
Firearm Not carried Carried on duty
Weapons permit Not required GA Weapons Carry License required
Fingerprinting GBI & FBI GBI & FBI
Typical online cost From $65 (training) From $65 + firearms fees
Time to complete training Same day, self-paced Same-day online + range day

Our fee covers the online training portion. State registration, fingerprinting, and weapons-permit costs are paid separately to Georgia agencies.

Explore Our Complete Library of Career Enhancement Electives

Your career path is unique, and your training should be too. With access to over 60 state-approved career enhancement electives, our package system puts you in control. After your purchase, you can redeem your credits for any course in our library—whether you’re fulfilling site requirements like Fire Safety or advancing into high-paying Executive Protection roles, all at your own pace.

Administrative
SPECIALTY CERT: PUBLIC RELATIONS - COMMUNITY & CUSTOMER (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: ID VERIFICATION TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
De-escalation / Use of Force
SPECIALTY CERT: DE-ESCALATION OF FORCE SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS)
Emergency / Crisis Response
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: BASIC AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: FIRE SAFETY AND FIRE WATCH TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE II (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
Specialized / Advanced Skills
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: GENERAL DUTIES, WRITING REPORTS, & CONDUCTING PATROLS (6 HOURS)

Better training equals higher hourly rates

We Offer State-Required Certification

Get all the mandatory security training you need to qualify for work. Our certification courses meet state requirements and give you the foundational knowledge every guard must have to get licensed and hired.

+

Career-Enhancement Electives

Take your skills beyond the basics. Add optional career enhancement electives that strengthen your professionalism, expand your capabilities, and help you earn higher hourly rates than the average guard.

The only online security guard school

Built by security guards for security guards

that you will need to maximize your hourly earning potential.

On-Demand Learning

On-Demand Learning

Train anytime and anywhere at your own pace. Access all courses 24/7 so you can study whenever it fits your schedule.

Fully Convenient

Fully Convenient

Works seamlessly on phone, tablet, or desktop. No classrooms, no appointments. Learn your way instantly.

Easy & Accessible

Easy & Accessible

Clear lessons, intuitive navigation, and instant progress tracking. Designed to make learning simple for every future guard.

Cost-Effective Pricing

Cost-Effective Pricing

Affordable training with no hidden fees. Only pay for the career enhancement electives you choose, nothing extra.

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course we offer has been crafted to reflect the real requirements of the security industry. From foundational state-mandated training to advanced elective courses, our programs follow clear quality criteria, ensuring your learning is consistent, up-to-date, and job-ready.Whether you're preparing for state licensing, upgrading your skills, or working toward higher-level roles, our training gives you a strong, credible foundation.

Why Security Guard School is Better

Guards we get certified make more.

Security guard training isn't just about meeting state compliance; it is about establishing a competitive advantage in the job market. In today's security landscape, top-tier employers are actively seeking candidates who possess specialized skills beyond the basic Guard Card. By completing our comprehensive certification packages—which include essential career enhancement electives like Power to Arrest and De-escalation—you position yourself for the highest-paying roles in the industry. Whether you are targeting high-traffic retail environments or specialized private protection, our curriculum is specifically designed to maximize your hourly earning potential immediately upon hire.

  • Healthcare & Hospital Security: Commands higher pay for patient restraint and crisis intervention skills.
  • Corporate Office Protection: Professional "Class-A" environments requiring advanced access control knowledge.
  • Retail Loss Prevention: Active theft deterrence roles that pay significantly more than passive observation.
  • Event & Venue Security: Lucrative contracts for guards certified in crowd management and bag checking.
  • Construction Site Patrol: High-liability zones requiring specific asset protection and fire watch training.
  • Educational Campus Safety: Specialized positions mandating training in student interaction and campus patrol.

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour.

Kevin Turner

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Dylan Grant

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Derrick Mason

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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See How We Stack Up

Features Security Guard School ShieldForce Academy National GuardCert Network Sentinel Security Institute
Fully Online Courses ✓
Access from phone, tablet, and computer		 Limited Limited Limited
Nationwide Certification Coverage ✓
Coast-to-coast compliance		 X X X
Instant Certificate Download ✓
Download anytime, anywhere		 X X X
Specialty Certifications ✓
Expand your skills + pay		 Limited Limited Limited
Interactive Online Training ✓
Modern & mobile-friendly		 X Limited X
Real Human Support, 24/7 ✓
Chat, phone & email		 X Limited Limited
Built by Industry Pros ✓
Career-focused curriculum		 X ✓ X
Government-Sponsored Training ✓
Eligible for state programs		 Limited X Limited
Trusted by 100K+ Guards ✓
Proven results		 X Unknown Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions

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Will my security guard certification cover all cities and towns in Georgia?

Yes, your security guard certification in Georgia is valid throughout the entire state, covering all cities and towns including Atlanta, Columbus and more!

What qualifications do you need to become a security officer in Georgia?

To become a security officer in Georgia, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and free of felony convictions. You must complete a 24-hour basic security officer training course, which covers legal authority, emergency response, and patrol techniques. Armed security officers need additional firearms training and live range qualification. A background check, including fingerprinting through the Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation (GBI) and the FBI, is required.

What disqualifies you from being a security guard in Georgia?

Failure to meet required educational or professional licensing or certification.Any felony conviction. Any outstanding criminal charge pending adjudication. Sufficient misdemeanor convictions to establish a pattern of disregard for the law.

How much does it cost to take a Level II training course to become a security officer in Georgia?

The cost of a Level II security officer trainingcourse in Georgia can vary depending on the training provider, and location, ranging from $100 to $250. Security Guard School offers this course for 99.00.

What are the levels of security guards in Georgia?

There are three levels of security guards in Georgia: Unarmed Security Guard, Armed Security Guard, and Specialized Security.

Are Level II non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in Georgia?

No, Level II non-commissioned security guards in Georgia are not allowed to carry a firearm unless they have a security officer commission.

How do I get my security guard license in Georgia?

Complete a GBPDSA-approved security training course that provides at least 24 hours of instruction. You will need to apply to and be hired by a security company that is licensed by theGeorgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.

Do I need fingerprinting for a Georgia guard card?

Yes. Georgia requires GBI and FBI fingerprint-based background checks for both unarmed and armed registrations. Your sponsoring security company submits the results with your application, so you don't file directly with the state.

Do I need a weapons permit for an armed security license in Georgia?

Yes. Armed officers must hold a valid Georgia Weapons Carry License from their county probate court, plus complete state-approved firearms training and a live-fire qualification before being commissioned to carry on duty.

How often do I renew my Georgia security license?

Georgia security registrations are renewed on a set cycle through your employer and the state board. Armed commissions require staying current on firearms qualification, so keep your training and weapons license active to avoid a lapse.

Can I get my Georgia guard card online in Atlanta?

Yes. Our 24-hour training is fully online and self-paced, so guards in Atlanta and anywhere in GA can finish the coursework the same day. Fingerprinting and state registration are handled through your Georgia employer.

Expert Advice for Security Professionals