Rhode Island Security Training Courses

Minimum Requirements for Unarmed Security Guards in Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island requires security guards to be registered and security guard businesses to be licensed through the Office of Attorney General. The state does not stipulate the minimum qualifications of an unarmed security guard, but most security companies follow these industry hiring guidelines:

• Must be at least 18 years old with provisions that the candidate must be able to perform the duties required of the position

• Must be a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work

• Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Also, the applicant should demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak English and the language(s) most appropriate to his or her assigned duties.

• Successfully pass a background check

• Must not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or job related crime for a minimum seven-year period immediately preceding the candidate’s date of hire. Any felony conviction discovered in the course of conducting the search should also be considered relevant to the candidate’s qualifications for the position.

• Submission of a fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint

• Pass a drug screening test

Licensing Requirements in the State of Rhode Island

Individuals and companies operating a security guard business in the state of Rhode Island must be licensed through the Office of Attorney General (https://riag.ri.gov/securityguardlicense). Per Rhode Island General Law § 5-5.1-8, license applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a citizen of the U.S. or a resident alien

• Not have been convicted of a felony

• Not have had their license or registration revoked or application for the license or registration denied by the attorney general or by the appropriate authority of any other jurisdiction

• Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease and not having been restored

• Not suffer from habitual drunkenness or from narcotics addiction or dependence

• Be of good moral character

• Submit an application: https://riag.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur496/files/documents/SecurityGuardLicense.pdf

• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check

• Submit a certificate of insurance evidencing comprehensive general liability coverage for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage with endorsements for assault and battery and personal injury, including false arrest, libel, slander, and invasion of privacy, in the minimum amount of $300,000 for bodily or personal injury and $100,000 for property damage

• Pay a fee 

The license must be renewed every two years.

Licensed companies are required to register their employees with the attorney general by filing "employee's registration statements" stating the employee's:

• Full name, age, address, place and date of birth

• Citizenship status

• Occupation for the previous five years

• Status as having never been convicted of a felony or of any offense involving moral turpitude