Part V. Instructor Application Procedures; Administrative Requirements; Standards of Conduct
6VAC20-173-90. Initial instructor application.
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.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.
6VAC20-173-100. Renewal instructor application.
A. Applications for certification renewal should be received by the department at least 30 days prior to expiration. The department will provide a renewal notification to the last known mailing address or email address provided by the certified instructor. However, if a renewal notification is not received by the instructor, it is the responsibility of the instructor to ensure renewal requirements are filed with the department. Certification renewal applications received by the department after the expiration date shall be subject to all applicable, nonrefundable renewal fees plus reinstatement fees.
B. Each person applying for instructor certification renewal shall meet the minimum requirements for eligibility as follows:
1. Successfully complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education in instructor development. Training must be completed within the 12 months immediately preceding the expiration date of the current certification; and
2. Be in good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed, registered, or certified in a private security services or related field. This subdivision shall not apply to any probationary periods during which the individual is eligible to operate under the license, registration, or certification.
C. The department may renew a certification for a period not to exceed 24 months.
D. The department may renew a certification when the following are received by the department:
1. A properly completed renewal application provided by the department;
2. The nonrefundable certification renewal fee and applicable category fees;
3. Any documentation required for any new categories of training;
4. Verification of satisfactory completion of instructor development continuing education requirements; and
5. For firearms instructors, official documentation in the form of a signed, dated range sheet along with the qualification score and course of fire as prescribed in the firearms training qualifications in 6VAC20-174, 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.
E. Any instructor renewal application received by the department shall meet all renewal requirements prior to the expiration date of a certification or shall be subject to the requirements set forth by the reinstatement provisions pursuant to this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.
6VAC20-173-110. Instructor administrative requirements and standards of conduct.
All private security services certified personnel are required to maintain administrative requirements and standards of conduct as determined by the Code of Virginia, department guidelines, and this chapter. An instructor shall:
1. Conform to all requirements pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
2. Maintain at all times with the department his mailing address and email address if applicable. Notification of any address change shall be in writing and received by the department no later than 10 days after the effective date of the change.
3. Not have been convicted or found guilty in any jurisdiction of the United States of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, assault and battery, damage to real or personal property, controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia, prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia, or firearms. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this chapter. The record of conviction certified or authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be prima facie evidence of such guilt.
4. Inform the department, and the training school for which the individual is designated as an instructor if applicable, in writing within 10 days after pleading guilty or nolo contendere or being convicted or found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor as outlined in § 9.1-139 K of the Code of Virginia.
5. Inform the department, and the training school for which the individual is designated as instructor if applicable, in writing within 10 days after having been found guilty by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to have violated the private security services business statutes or regulations of that jurisdiction.
6. Not violate or aid and abet others in violating the provisions of Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia, 6VAC20-172, 6VAC20-174, or this chapter.
7. Not commit any act or omission that results in a private security license, registration, or certification as defined in the § 9.1-138 of the Code of Virginia being suspended, revoked, or not renewed or the licensee, registrant, or certificate holder otherwise being disciplined in any jurisdiction.
8. Not obtain a license, license renewal, registration, registration renewal, certification, or certification renewal through any fraud or misrepresentation.
9. Conduct training sessions pursuant to requirements established in this chapter.
10. Notify the department within 10 calendar days following termination of his employment as instructor for the training school.
11. Not engage in acts of unprofessional conduct in the practice of private security services.
12. Not engage in acts of negligent or incompetent private security services.
13. Not make any misrepresentation or false promise to a private security services business client or potential private security services business client.
14. Not violate any state or local ordinances relating to private security services.
15. Maintain documentation of successful completion of a minimum of two hours of professional development for topics related to each category of instructor certification as established in this chapter during each certification period or successful completion of compulsory in-service training by another private security services certified instructor if also registered in the same categories.
16. Not publish or cause to be published any material relating to private security services that contain an assertion, representation, or statement of fact that is false, deceptive, or misleading.
17. Not provide false or misleading information to representatives of the department.
18. Not provide materially incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or untrue information on any email, application, or other document filed with the department.
19. Transport, carry, and utilize firearms while on duty only in a manner that does not endanger the public health, safety, and welfare.
20. Report in writing to the training school director within 24 hours of any person regulated by the board who fails to requalify with a minimum passing score on the range.
21. Provide any person who fails to requalify with a minimum passing score on the range with a failure to requalify notice provided by the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.
6VAC20-173-120. Designated training school director administrative requirements and standards.
All private security services certified personnel are required to maintain administrative requirements and standards of conduct as determined by the Code of Virginia, department guidelines, and this chapter. A training school director shall:
1. Ensure that the certified training school and all employees regulated or required to be regulated by this chapter conform to all application requirements, administrative requirements, and standards of conduct pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
2. Conform to all application requirements, administrative requirements, and standards of conduct as a certified instructor pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
3. Maintain documentation for all employees or persons otherwise utilized that verifies compliance with requirements pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
4. Notify the department in writing within 10 calendar days following termination of his employment as training director for the certified training school.
5. Use access to the department's database information only for the purpose of verifying employed instructors' or students' application status.
6. Not allow another to use access granted to the department's database for any purpose.
7. Inform the department and compliance agent of the employing business if applicable, in a format prescribed by the department within seven days of any person regulated by the board, who fails to requalify with a minimum passing score on the range.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.