Illinois Security Guard Training & 20-Hour PERC Course

How to Get Your Illinois PERC Card Online

In Illinois the credential that gets you on a post is the Permanent Employee Registration Card, issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Your position and your employer decide whether you need one.

The training sits below, online and self-paced. Finish it, keep the certificate for your employment record, and then submit your PERC application with the fee and the fingerprint documentation IDFPR requires.

Scroll down to pick your course — and to see exactly what to do after your training is complete.

State-approved training

Courses Available in Illinois Security Guard Training & 20-Hour PERC Course

Explore our electives

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour. Each elective is a short, state-approved course in a skill employers pay more.

Every elective is $35.00

How it works

Get Started in 4 steps

  1. Purchase the course

    Pick your state course, or a card renewal if your card is running out. (Electives are optional: de-escalation, first aid, report writing, and they qualify you for better-paid posts.)

  2. Complete the training

    Study online at your own pace, on any device. Start the minute checkout is done and pick up wherever you left off.

  3. Get your certificate

    Finish the course and download your certificate of completion, the proof your state board or your employer asks to see.

  4. Get licensed and hired

    In most states you then apply to the state agency for your guard card: certificate, fingerprints, background check and the state fee. Then start applying for posts.

Licensing is set state by state. A few states, Alabama and Colorado among them, issue no state guard licence at all, and some require the application to be filed through the security company that hires you. Each course page lists what your state asks for.

After your training

Illinois Security Guard License: What to Do After Completing Your Training

Illinois security professionals may need a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) depending on their position and employer. After completing your required training, you should verify the current Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements that apply to your position.

  1. Step 1: Complete Your Required Training

    Make sure you have completed the security training required for your position.

    Keep your training documentation because it may be needed as part of your employment or licensing records.

  2. Step 2: Determine Whether You Need a PERC

    A PERC is an important credential for many Illinois security employees.

    Illinois IDFPR continues to provide information and services for PERC registration and renewal, although some older PERC processing procedures have changed.

  3. Step 3: Complete Your Fingerprint Requirements

    Illinois requires PERC applicants to complete the required application process and fingerprint requirements.

    IDFPR states that a PERC application must be submitted with the applicable fee and fingerprint documentation. The applicant's fingerprint status must be eligible before the employee can work where an active PERC is required.

  4. Step 4: Submit Your Application

    Follow the current IDFPR instructions for submitting your PERC application and required documentation.

    Because Illinois periodically changes its online licensing and application systems, always use the current IDFPR instructions instead of relying on older third-party guides.

  5. Step 5: Verify Your Status

    After submitting your application and completing the required background and fingerprint process, verify your status through the current IDFPR system.

    Do not assume that completing training or submitting an application automatically authorizes you to work.

Important: Security licensing requirements can change. The information on this page is provided as a general guide. Always verify current requirements, applications, fees, and deadlines with the official licensing authority for your state before submitting an application or beginning work.

From our graduates

Hear From Security Guards Who Started Here

Thousands of working guards took their first course with us. Here are a few of them, in their own words.

  • Kevin Turner

  • Dylan Grant

  • Deshawn Carter

  • Tyrone Brooks

  • Marcus Bell

  • Derrick Mason

The state standard

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course is built to what the job actually asks for, from the state-mandated basics to the advanced electives, and kept current as the rules change.

Before you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my security guard certification cover all cities and towns in Illinois?
Yes, your security guard certification in Illinois is valid statewide, covering allcities and towns including Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, and more!

What qualifications do you need to become a security officer in Illinois?
To become a security officer in Illinois, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a criminal background check. You are required to apply for and obtain a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). If you plan to be an armed guard, you must complete additional firearms training and obtain a Firearm Control Card (FCC).

What disqualifies you from being a security guard in Illinois?
In Illinois, you can be disqualified from becoming a security guard if you have felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions related to violence, theft, or dishonesty, or if you fail the criminal background check required for the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC). Other disqualifications include drug or alcohol addiction, being dishonorably discharged from the military, or having a history of mental health issues that impair your ability to perform security duties.

How much does it cost to take a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in Illinois?
In Illinois, the cost of a Level 2 unarmed security officer training course typically ranges from $100 to $200, depending on the provider. Security Guard School offers this course for 99.99. This includes the basic training required for security officers. Additional fees include the cost for fingerprinting and the application fee for the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), which can add another $55 to $75. The total cost to become a licensed security officer in Illinois generally ranges from $155 to $275.

What are the levels of security guards in Illinois?
In Illinois, security guards are primarily classified as unarmed and armed guards. Unarmed guards must complete basic training and obtain a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) to perform security duties without carrying a weapon.Armed guards require additional firearms training and must obtain both the PERCand a Firearm Control Card (FCC), allowing them to carry a firearm while onduty. Both levels must pass background checks and meet state certificationrequirements through the Illinois Department of Financial and ProfessionalRegulation (IDFPR).

Are Level 2 non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in Illinois?
No, Level 2 non-commissioned security guards in Illinois are not allowed to carry a firearm. Only security guards who have completed additional firearms training and obtained a Firearm Control Card (FCC) are authorized to carry a firearm while on duty.

How do I get my security guard license in Illinois?
To get your security guard license in Illinois, you must be at least 18 years old,pass a criminal background check, and apply for a Permanent EmployeeRegistration Card (PERC) through the Illinois Department of Financial andProfessional Regulation (IDFPR). You’ll also need to complete basic securitytraining. If you plan to carry a firearm, additional firearms training and anapplication for a Firearm Control Card (FCC) are required. Once your PERC isapproved, you are licensed to work as a security guard in Illinois.

Is the PERC card the same as the 20-hour training?
No. The 20-hour course is the state-approved training you complete online; the PERC is the license card the state issues after you apply. You finish the training first, then apply for the card. Learn more in do I need a PERC card.

Do I need fingerprinting for my Illinois PERC card?
Yes. Illinois requires an electronic fingerprint-based background check through an IDFPR-approved vendor when you submit your PERC application. Our training does not include fingerprinting; you schedule that separately as part of the state application.

How often do I renew my Illinois PERC card?
The PERC is issued for a three-year term and renews through IDFPR before it expires. Adding career enhancement electives between renewals keeps your skills current and helps you qualify for higher-paying posts.

Can I take these guard card classes online from Chicago?
Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced, so applicants in Chicago, the suburbs, and anywhere in Illinois complete the same state-approved training on their own schedule, then apply for the PERC with IDFPR.

From the field

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