Virginia Law

A. Each person applying for certification as an instructor shall meet the following minimum requirements for eligibility:

1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age;

2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED);

3. Have either (i) successfully completed a DCJS instructor development course within the three years immediately preceding the date of the application or submitted a waiver application for an instructor development course that meets or exceeds standards established by the department or (ii) successfully completed an approved DCJS instructor development program longer than three years prior to the date of application and provided documented instruction during the three years immediately preceding or provided documented instruction in a related field at an institution of higher learning;

4. Have a minimum of (i) three years management or supervisory experience with a private security services business; with any federal, military police, state, county, or municipal law-enforcement agency; or in a related field; (ii) five years general experience in a private security services business; with a federal, state or local law-enforcement agency; or in a related field; or (iii) one year experience as an instructor or teacher at an accredited educational institution or agency in the subject matter for which certification is requested or in a related field;

5. Have previous training and a minimum of two years work experience for those subjects in which certification is requested; and

6. Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States.

B. Each person applying for certification as an instructor shall file with the department:

1. A properly completed application provided by the department;

2. Fingerprint card pursuant to this chapter;

3. Official documentation verifying that the applicant meets the minimum eligibility requirements pursuant to this section;

4. On the certification application, selection of the category of training the applicant is seeking to provide. The initial instructor certification fee includes one category. A separate fee will be charged for each additional category of training. The separate categories are identified as follows: (i) security officers/couriers/alarm respondent (armed and unarmed) to include arrest authority, (ii) private investigators, (iii) locksmiths and electronic security personnel to include central station dispatchers, (iv) armored car personnel, (v) personal protection specialists, (vi) detector canine handlers and security canine handlers, (vii) special conservators of the peace pursuant to § 9.1-150.1 of the Code of Virginia, (viii) bail bondsmen pursuant to § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia and bail enforcement agents pursuant to § 9.1-186 of the Code of Virginia, and (ix) firearms;

5. The nonrefundable instructor certification application fee and category fee or fees if applicable; and

6. Evidence of status as a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States.

C. In addition to the instructor qualification requirements described in subsections A and B of this section, each applicant for certification as a firearms instructor shall submit to the department:

1. Official documentation that the applicant has successfully completed a DCJS firearms instructor school or a waiver application with supporting documentation demonstrating completion of a firearms instructor school specifically designed for law-enforcement or private security personnel that meets or exceeds standards established by the department within the three years immediately preceding the date of the instructor application.

2. Official documentation, in the form of a signed, dated range sheet with the qualification score and course of fire as prescribed in the firearms training requirements in 6VAC20-174, that the applicant has successfully qualified, with a minimum range qualification of 85%, with each of the following:

a. A revolver;

b. A semi-automatic handgun; and

c. A shotgun.

Firearms instructors applying to provide patrol rifle training must submit official documentation in the form of a signed, dated range sheet that the applicant has successfully qualified, with a minimum range qualification of 85%, with a patrol rifle.

Range qualifications must have been completed within the 12 months immediately preceding the instructor application date and have been completed at a Virginia criminal justice agency, training academy, correctional facility, or a department approved range utilized by a certified private security training school. The qualifications must be documented by another instructor certified as a law-enforcement firearms instructor or private security services firearms instructor.

The firearms instructor training must have been completed within the three years immediately preceding the date of the instructor application, or in the event that the school completion occurred prior to three years, the applicant shall have provided firearms instruction during the three years immediately preceding the date of the instructor application.

D. Upon completion of the initial instructor application requirements, the department may issue an initial certification for a period not to exceed 24 months.

E. The department may issue a letter of temporary certification to instructors for not more than 120 days while awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search provided the applicant has met the necessary conditions and requirements.

F. Each certification shall be issued to the individual named on the application and shall be valid only for use by that individual. No certification shall be assigned or otherwise transferred to another individual.

G. Each instructor shall comply with all applicable administrative requirements and standards of conduct and shall not engage in any acts prohibited by applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.