Visit Working Prior to Licensure

Submit an application through Texas Online Private Security (TOPS). Please see the Individual Application Instructions for step by step assistance.  Once you have submitted a paid application, you will receive a checklist of items required to complete your application.

Applicants new to private security will be required to submit fingerprints electronically to DPS through the approved vendor as part of the complete application, unless the applicant qualifies for the alternative fingerprint process.
For detailed information, please see Instructions for scheduling a fingerprint appointment.

Please note:

• Security and personal protection officer applicants will be required to submit training certificates.
• Applicants for armed registrations who were born outside of the US must submit evidence of lawful presence.
• Upon request of DPS, applicants must submit any court documents required as part of DPS' criminal history background check. The failure to comply with the request may result in the rejection of the application as incomplete.

Security and personal protection officer applicants are required to submit training certificates as part of the applications.

• Non-Commission Security Officer applicants must submit a level 2 training certificate
• Commission Security Officer applicants must submit level 2 and level 3 training certificates
• Personal Protection Officer applicants must submit level 2, level 3, and level 4 training certificates in addition to the Declaration of Psychological and Emotional Health.

All other registrations do not require training as a prerequisite to licensure.

Applicants new to private security will receive a registration with an expiration date 2 years from the date of issuance. All subsequent registrations will have an expiration date that aligns with their existing registrations in the following categories:

• All your Unarmed registrations including your Owner/Manager and CE Instructor registrations
• All your Armed registrations (Commission and Personal Protection Officers)
• All your Instructor registrations (excluding CE instructors)

In addition, the expiration date is printed on each pocket card.

You can renew a registration online 90 days before the expiration date, and up to 1 year after expiration (late fees will be applied if registration is expired). For step by step instructions see Individual Renewal Instructions. Please note: In order to renew, Commission Security Officers must submit a firearm proficiency certificate that is no more than 90 days old.

If the registration has been expired for more than one year, the individual must submit an original application. For step by step instructions see Individual Application Instructions.

Yes. After signing in to TOPS, select the RENEW button and choose which registration(s) to renew. For step by step instructions see Individual Renewal Instructions.

Yes. A renewal application must be initiated by the individual registrant. Payment can be submitted by either the individual or by their registered employer by selecting “employer pay” at the end of the application. For step by step instructions see Individual Renewal Instructions. If you have not yet registered with the new employer, an employee registration update must be completed before submitting the renewal.

Yes, if a commissioned security officer or personal protection officer registration was renewed, submit the required firearm proficiency certificate. Generally, all other registration types do not require documents to be submitted. However, you should track the status of your application by referring to your personalized checklist which is sent to your email

Sign in to TOPS to submit an employer registration update application. For step by step instructions see employee registration update.

You can track the status of your application by referring to your personalized checklist which is sent to your email. Additionally, you can log in to your TOPS profile and view the real-time status of your application.

If you have a Texas Driver License or a Texas ID card, you will not need to submit a copy. If you do not hold a Texas ID card or Texas Driver License, DPS will request a copy of your out-of-state ID card, out-of-state driver license, or a copy of your military ID.

To accommodate those registrants who may perform regulated services remotely, while outside of the state, the department will provide the alternate fingerprint process for the following applicants residing outside of Texas: Alarm Monitor, Alarm Salesperson, Security Salesperson, Private Investigator, Owner, Officer, Partner, Shareholder, Supervisor, and Manager.

Applicants for all other registration types must submit fingerprints electronically by following the fingerprinting instructions.

Applicants who qualify for the alternate fingerprint process must first submit an application. After the application has been submitted, please contact RSD by phone at 512-424-7293 or by email to request a fingerprint packet. Once the application has been validated, the fingerprint packet along with detailed instructions will only be mailed to applicants who meet the criteria for the alternate fingerprint process.

Any applicant who resides in Texas must submit fingerprints electronically by following the fingerprinting instructions.

Note: Rolled ink fingerprints may only be taken at a law enforcement agency by an employee of that agency. The fee for this service will vary by law enforcement agency. The fee must be paid to the law enforcement agency. Processing ink-rolled fingerprints will require additional review and handling.

Information relating to electronic fingerprints may be found on this website at Fingerprinting Instructions.

Please contact Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) for assistance.

Please visit Criminal History Error Resolution for the procedures to challenge the criminal history record contained in a Texas Record.

Please visit Challenge of a Criminal Record for the procedures to challenge the criminal history record contained in an FBI Record.

Active Duty Military Service Member: a person currently serving on active duty orders in the armed forces of the United States or the Texas military forces, as defined by Texas Government Code §437.001, or similar military service of another state.

Military Veteran: a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.

Active Military Spouse: a person who is married to an active duty military service member who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for registration in this state; or a military spouse who, within five years preceding the application date, held the license in this state.

For qualified applicants, the application fees for individual original and renewal applications are waived.  Applicants will be responsible for the subscription fee, pocket card fee, and the FBI fee.

The military fee exemption does not include any company license fees. Please see Military Exemption Fee Schedule (pdf).

Submit an application through the TOPS website. As part of the application process you will be provide your military status. Supporting documents will be required to qualify for the exemption.

Active Duty Military Service Member: A copy of your active military ID card (front only) and copy of current orders.

Military Veteran: A copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy - 4).

Active Military Spouse: A copy of your spouse's current orders, a copy of your marriage certificate, a copy of your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) document . Lastly, the exemption only applies to a military spouse who, within five years preceding the application date, held the license in this state OR a military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for registration in this state.  If you are currently licensed in Texas, you will not need to submit a copy of your pocket card.   If licensed in another jurisdiction, you will need to submit a copy of your out-of-state license.

Note: The following training documents must be submitted with all original applications:

• Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Security Officer Applicants: Level II certificate of completion
• Commissioned Security Officer Applicants: Level III certificate of completion
• Personal Protection Officer Applicants: Level IV Training Certificate of Completion Proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test or equivalent (proof of completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test shall be on the form of the board approved Declaration of Psychological and Emotional Health and shall be signed by a licensed psychologist).

Late fees will be waived, if the individual was serving as an Active Duty Military Service Member in this state or any other state. Applicants seeking this exemption will need to submit a copy of their orders reflecting they were on active duty.

Yes, if you are a qualifying Active Duty Military Service Member, Military Veteran or an Active Duty Military Spouse, the manager exam fee will be waived.

Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 of the Private Security Act and Board Administrative Rules. These publications are on this website in the Statutes and Rules section.

Yes, a detailed letter will be sent to the applicant listing the reason(s) for denial. In addition, the employing company will receive a notification letter concerning the disqualified applicant. The letter sent to the company will not include any specific criminal history information.

Yes, we will need such documents in order to verify the disposition of the case.

A letter of reinstatement will be sent to you and your employer.

You can also check the status of an individual registration by searching Texas Online Private Security (TOPS). This information is updated in real-time.

A Stakeholder is a generic term to refer to any of the following endorsements for a business license: owner, corporation officer, shareholder, partner, manager, supervisor, school director.

An active owner, shareholder, partner, corporate officer, manager or supervisor of an active company is permitted to perform any unarmed services the company is licensed to provide.  Please be advised that per TAC 35.161, those providing regulated services must comply with the continuing education requirements applicable to the regulated service provided.

Apply at Texas Online Private Security (TOPS)

A company license expires every year on the last date of the expiration month. In addition, the expiration date is printed on the company license.

Note: A Branch Office license expires on the same date as the Parent Company license.

You can check the status of a company application by searching Companies in Texas Online Private Security (TOPS). This information is updated in real-time.

You can renew a company license 90 days before the expiration date, and up to one (1) year after the expiration (late fees will be applied, if company license is expired). If you are within the renewal period and experience problems, please Contact Us or call (512) 424-7293.

Yes, you can make payment for your company renewal. However, the renewal will not be processed until your company is reflecting current insurance in our database.

Yes. The contractors must be either registered as employees and covered by the company's statutorily required insurance, or independently licensed as security service contractors under Chapter 1702.

You can check the status of a company renewal by searching Texas Online Private Security (TOPS). This information is updated in real-time.

You may renew a branch office license at Texas Online Private Security (TOPS).

The Private Security Program accepts proof of business insurance on the PSP-05 (PDF) (Certificate of Liability Insurance Form). The business name and information should match the business name and information that is on file with the Private Security Program.

Yes, once you have submitted proof of insurance, any active business stakeholder can login to TOPS and submit the insurance reinstatement fee. Please see the Insurance Reinstatement payment instructions for step by step assistance.

Please see the Insurance Reinstatement payment instructions for step by step assistance.

The insurance document can be denied for multiple reasons, here are the most common denial reasons:

• The insured information (business name and address) does not match name/address on Private Security records). 
• Texas Insurance License Number is missing.
• Missing signature
• Minimum limits are incorrect or missing

No, in accordance with Texas Administrative Code §35.131, and as printed on all applications submitted to the Private Security Program, “fees submitted are non-refundable or transferable.”

No, a new application must be submitted for the new registration type, plus you must submit the appropriate fees.

Sign on to TOPS and request a duplicate pocket card. The pocket card will be mailed to the individual's mailing address.

For Owners, Corporate Officers, Partners, Shareholders, Managers and Supervisors please submit PSP-19A (PDF) (Notification of Termination for Owners, Corporate, Officers, Partners, Shareholders, Managers and Supervisors). For all other employees please refer to the Employee Terminations instructions.

(Note: A notification for termination states an employee was terminated by the current employer however a termination notice does not remove the individual from the company employee list.)

This means the applicant has been identified as being in default of a student loan guaranteed by the non-profit corporation. Education Code §57.491 prohibits a licensing agency from renewing an occupational license until the matter is resolved. Applicants must contact the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. at (800) 222-6297 or (512) 219-7337 to obtain a clearance letter.

Open Record Requests must follow the Texas Public Information Act, please refer to the following requirements and guidelines.

Complete the online form on our Contact US site, or complete and submit PSP-22 (PDF) (Complaint Form) and submit by using the secured online Contact Center.

TOPS is the new Private Security licensing system, providing secure, web-based, online access to program services. TOPS will include a new look and interface for applicants and businesses.

Please see How to Login to Your TOPS Profile

All applications, including original, renewal and change applications for both individuals and businesses must be submitted online.

The application will have helpful hints and text throughout. We will also have user guides on our website for submitting applications, for business paying for applications, business approval of employee affiliation and other functionality. If you experience problems, please Contact Us or call (512) 424-7293.

Free email accounts can be established at a variety of sites. We suggest searching the internet for Free Email accounts.

You can register your email address as part of the process to access your TOPS profile. Please see How to Login to Your TOPS Profile. If you experience problems, please Contact Us or call (512) 424-7293.

1. Log into your account and click on the Checklist/Upload Docs button, visible next to any inflight application in the My Applications section.
2. Next, click on the Upload Docs button at the bottom of the checklist.
3. ONLY submit docs specified in the checklist. Each document MUST be uploaded and classified individually otherwise, this will cause delays in application processing.

Go to our Contact Us page, choose Private Security, then choose Submit Documents and follow the instructions.

An individual can submit an application without specifying a company affiliation. The application will process as normal, including all background checks, required documents and training required. The individual will be in a ready status, but will not receive a pocket card until affiliated to a business. Please note: If the registration is not affiliated to a licensed company within 2 years, the registration cannot be renewed, and the individual will need to reapply.

Registered Owners, Managers, Shareholders will be able to log in to the system to verify employment. Please see Business Employment Verification for step by step instructions.

Yes, you may request that your employer pay for your registration. Even if you have chosen employer pay, until the point that payment occurs, you will also have the option to pay for your own registration.

Registered Owners, Managers, Shareholders will be able to log in to the system and will see the employee requests for company payment. You will then be able to choose to pay, or return that to the employee for payment. Please see Business Employment Verification for step by step instructions.

Yes, all businesses in good standing will be able to utilize bulk payment.

Individuals who desire to submit a paper application. Please note it may take 4-8 weeks* to process a manual paper application. The PS program highly recommends all applications be submitted online. Benefits to online applications include: reduced processing time, live notifications, and payment via credit/debit card versus mailing a check. Paper applications may be requested via the contact us link.

DPS will use your prints on file if available, and will inform you if new prints need to be submitted.

$25

Your pocket card will be mailed to your physical address on file. You will have the ability to update/correct this address when submitting a new or renewal application.

No. An instructor cannot certify his or her own firearm proficiency. Texas Occupations Code §1702.1675 and Texas Administrative Code §35.145 require an “actual demonstration of proficiency.” A “demonstration” requires the presence of another person, and in this case, another Level III Firearms Instructor.

Alarm Level 1, all Level 3, and Level 4 instructor registrations expire 1 year from date of issuance. All subsequent instructor registrations of this type will have an expiration date that aligns with their existing instructor registrations.

Continuing Education Instructors registrations will expire 2 years from date of issuance – or – synchronize with any existing unarmed registrations including Owner/Manager registrations.

In addition, the expiration date is printed on the pocket card.

If a training school has begun a class using the old curriculum, they may finish the class with the "old" material; however, they should use the new material for any subsequent classes.

In order to teach defensive tactics, the instructor should be a defensive tactics instructor.

Yes. To provide training on the use of a chemical dispensing device, an instructor must be a current Level III or Level IV instructor.

Documents located on the DPS server cannot be edited, however individuals can download or copy/paste each document to their own computers and customize.

The content and required equipment is described in the training materials. Defensive tactics is not a new requirement, the previous version of the curriculum contained defensive tactics as well. In order to teach defensive tactics, the instructor must be a defensive tactics instructor.

Yes, it is up to the instructor to determine the specific time allotment for each portion of the course.

For Level III guards needing to complete Continuing Education (Requalification) Recertification who have never received baton training, DPS recommends completion of Unit 10 of the full course before completing CE training to ensure adequate training concerning batons.

No.

Baton training is part of the defensive tactics training. In order to teach defensive tactics, the instructor should be a defensive tactics instructor.

Continuing Education requirements are located in the Texas Administrative Code, §35.161 – 6 hours for CSOs and PPOs, with proficiency certification.

6 hours of Level III Continuing Education or 6 hours of Level IV are required. As part of the renewal process, a weapons proficiency certificate must be submitted with the application. Please note, the Level IV Continuing Education Course does not include subject matter related to firearms.

Yes. The Pepper Spray Training Course may be taught as a component of the Level III training course, but can also be offered as a separate supplement to Level III training received previously. A separate training certificate will be provided following the successful completion of this training course.

No. The use of live targets, and the spraying of students, is within the discretion of the instructor and is not required for passage of the course.

No. To receive a Pepper Spray training certificate, the current approved curriculum must be completed.

The prior training material has been superseded by the new curriculum and is no longer approved by the Private Security Board. For purposes of Penal Code Section 46.05's defense to prosecution, security officers must have received the currently approved training on the use of a chemical dispensing device in conjunction with the board's approved Level III training.

Yes, however the Private Security Board has approved training on the use of a chemical dispensing device as a supplement to the Level III training curricula. The defensive tactics and use of force components of the Level III training course provide the background training necessary to ensure the officer's use of the device is safe, appropriate, and authorized. The Pepper Spray training is therefore approved only for those who have successfully completed the Level III training.

The approval as a Level III or Level IV instructor authorizes the instructor to teach the Pepper Spray Training course, but whether this course component is taught as part of the Level III training course is within the discretion of the instructor.

The approval as a Level III or Level IV instructor authorizes the instructor to teach the Pepper Spray Training course. It is the individual instructor's sole responsibility to determine whether he or she is qualified or competent to teach the Pepper Spray Training course and to seek any additional training he or she may feel is necessary.

No. The pepper spray training is approved when administered to a security officer who has successfully completed the board approved Level III training.