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 Illinois Security Guard Training & 20-Hour PERC Course

Online & Self-Paced

Guard Card Classes Online for Illinois

In Illinois the "guard card" is the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), and the training behind it is the 20-hour unarmed course. Our guard card classes online let you finish that requirement from home, on your phone or laptop, without booking a classroom seat.

You can start the moment you enroll and stop and resume whenever your schedule allows. Chicago-area applicants use this same course to meet the state requirement before applying to agencies downtown, in the Loop, and across Cook County.

Ready to enroll? The 20-hour PERC card course covers everything the state mandates for unarmed guards. Not sure it applies to you? Read do I need a PERC card before you start.

Cost & Timeline at a Glance

  • Course: 20 hours of state-approved training
  • Finish time: most people complete it in 2 to 4 days
  • Certificate: download instantly on completion
  • PERC fee: paid separately to IDFPR when you apply

Start Your Guard Card

Trusted by 100,000+ security professionals nationwide. State-approved curriculum, instant certificate, and support if you get stuck.

Security Officer Training Courses in Illinois

The 20-hour course is where every Illinois guard starts, but our security officer training courses go further. Once your state requirement is done, career enhancement electives let you specialize and earn more, roughly 23% higher hourly pay for guards who add them.

Start: 20-Hour PERC Training

The mandatory unarmed course covering guard duties, legal responsibilities, and reporting. This is the credential Illinois employers ask for first.

Specialize: Career Electives

Add De-escalation, Power to Arrest, or First Aid to stand out for hospital, corporate, and event posts across Chicago and the suburbs.

Advance: Bundled Packages

Combine your certificate with one or more electives in a single package to qualify for better-paying roles from day one on the job.

Every course is online and self-paced, so a Chicago guard picking up shifts and a downstate applicant get the same state-approved training on the same schedule. Browse the packages above to build the training that fits your career.

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.

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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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Deshawn Carter

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Marcus Bell

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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 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 99.00. 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.

Expert Advice for Security Professionals