Arkansas security credentials
The Arkansas State Police administers the licensing law and rules for private security. The law is Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 40 (from Act 393 of 2015, as revised), and the rules are Part 350 of the Code of Arkansas Rules (17 CAR 350).
| Credential | Training | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Private Security Officer (PSO) | Phase I (at least 8 hours) | At least 70 questions |
| Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) | Phases I and II | At least 100 questions |
| Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO) | Phases I, II and III | At least 120 questions |
A commission is the authorization to carry a firearm. A PSO without a commission may not carry a firearm on duty, and an employer may not let them.
Who can apply
- You must be at least 18 for a PSO credential and at least 21 for a commission.
- Certain convictions, including felonies, bar you. A misdemeanor from 10 or more years before the application is not a bar.
- You send fingerprints for a background check and two current passport-style photos.
Phase I training
Rule 17 CAR 350-1004 requires at least 8 hours of Phase I training for every PSO, CSO and CSSO applicant. The subjects are:
- The legal authority of a private security officer
- Classification of crimes
- Arrests and detentions
- Use of force, both deadly and nondeadly
- Case studies and company-specific legal issues
- The licensing Act and the rules
- Field note taking and report writing
Phase I may be taught by a credentialed Training Administrator, Assistant Training Administrator or Training Instructor. Guest instructors may teach under supervision, with the Training Administrator or Assistant present. Certified law enforcement officers who are current and active are exempt from the training.
Phases II and III
Commissioned applicants add Phase II: at least 16 hours, with at least 8 classroom hours and 8 firing range hours on deadly force law, weapons safety and live fire. School security officers add Phase III: at least 36 hours, including active shooter training.
The exam
Under 17 CAR 350-1017, the exam must be taken in person. The PSO exam has at least 70 questions, and scoring 70% or above is a pass.
- If you fail, you must wait five working days before you retest.
- After two failed attempts, your pending application is canceled.
The exam is based on the Phase I subjects, so focus on your legal authority, the difference between types of crimes, arrests and detentions, and when force may be used. Know the licensing rules too: ages, ID card rules and deadlines.
Starting work and renewing
New hires
Your employer must file your application within 14 days of hiring you. Until it is processed, you may work only under supervision, which means a licensee or credential holder watching and directing you in line-of-sight proximity at all times. If the background check shows a possible disqualifying factor, you must stop work as soon as you are told. A commissioned applicant cannot work armed until the ID card is issued.
On duty
- Wear your pocket ID or credential card in plain sight and show it on request.
- Your badge, uniform and insignia cannot resemble those of Arkansas police agencies, and you must not use a title or ID that suggests a government connection.
- When your job ends, return your ID card immediately.
Renewal
A PSO credential expires two years after it is issued and stays valid even if you change employers. PSO renewal training is at least 6 hours on Phase I subjects, done in the 12 months before renewal. Commissioned officers also need yearly refresher training. A credential that is not renewed within six months after it expires cannot be renewed.
Legal limits and daily duties
A security credential does not make you a police officer. Your main job is to observe, deter and report.
Watching, being visible and reporting are the core of security work.
- Observe: watch people, places and activity carefully
- Deter: a visible, alert officer discourages crime
- Report: pass on what you see by radio, phone or written report
Use of force is a Phase I subject. Use force only when it is lawful and necessary, and only as much as is reasonable. Stop when the threat stops, get medical help for anyone hurt and write a full report.
Reasonable force depends on the threat, the people involved and your other options.
- The threat faced
- Whether force was needed at that moment
- Proportionality: force in balance with the threat
- Other options that could have been used
- The aftermath and the duty of care
Field notes and report writing are also part of Phase I. Write notes while details are fresh, answer who, what, when, where, why and how, and record facts, not opinions.
A good notebook entry is dated, timed, factual and signed.
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Details of what happened
- Signature
Arrests and detentions
Arrests and detentions are a Phase I subject because they carry the most legal risk. Holding someone without a legal reason can lead to claims of false imprisonment against you and your employer. Know your post orders, know the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor, and when in doubt, observe, take notes and call the police instead of acting alone.
On patrol, vary your times and routes, check doors, windows, lights and fire exits, and report anything unusual. In an emergency, raise the alarm, call 911 and follow the site plan.
Key terms
The 16 words and rules to know for this test. Read the list or study them as flashcards: flip each card, then mark it "Know it" or "Still learning".
- Arkansas State Police
- The agency that administers the licensing law and rules for private security in Arkansas.
- 17 CAR 350
- Part 350 of the Code of Arkansas Rules, which holds the state's private security rules under Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 40.
- Private Security Officer (PSO)
- The basic unarmed credential, available from age 18, needing Phase I training and an exam of at least 70 questions.
- Commission
- The authorization to carry a firearm on duty. You must be at least 21, and a PSO without one may not carry a firearm.
- Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO)
- An armed school credential needing Phases I, II and III and an exam of at least 120 questions.
- Phase I training
- At least 8 hours on legal authority, crimes, arrests and detentions, use of force, the Act and rules, and note taking.
- Phase II training
- At least 16 hours for commissioned officers, with 8 classroom hours and 8 firing range hours.
- Phase III training
- At least 36 hours for school security officers, including active shooter training.
- PSO exam
- An in-person exam of at least 70 questions. You pass with 70% or above.
- Retest rule
- After failing you wait five working days to retest. Two failed attempts cancel your pending application.
- 14-day filing rule
- Your employer must file your application within 14 days of hiring you.
- Line-of-sight supervision
- Until your application is processed, a licensee or credential holder must watch and direct you at all times.
- Credential term
- A PSO credential lasts two years and stays valid if you change employers. It cannot be renewed more than six months after it expires.
- Renewal training
- At least 6 hours on Phase I subjects in the 12 months before renewal. Commissioned officers also need yearly refreshers.
- Observe, deter, report
- The core of security work. A credential does not make you a police officer.
- False imprisonment
- A legal claim that can follow holding someone without a legal reason, against both you and your employer.