1. (a) To qualify for certification as a security guard, an individual shall:

   1. (1) meet the standards set by the Secretary;
   2. (2) be an employee of or an applicant for employment with a licensed security guard agency or a security guard employer;
   3. (3) be of good moral character and reputation;

   4. (4) submit to the licensed security guard agency or the security guard employer, for forwarding to the Secretary:

      1. (i) a sworn application in the manner and format designated by the Secretary;
      2. (ii) the fingerprints required under § 19-304(c) of this title;
      3. (iii) a nonrefundable application fee of $15;

      4. (iv) a declaration under the penalties of perjury stating whether:

         1. 1. the individual has been convicted of:

            1. A. a disqualifying crime, under § 5-101 of the Public Safety Article; or
            2. B. a crime of violence, under § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article;
         2. 2. if currently or formerly employed as a police officer, the individual has had any formal findings by a court, hearing board, or other governmental entity of unlawful or excessive use of force or of making a false statement during the individual's employment with the law enforcement agency; and
         3. 3. the individual plans to carry a handgun in the course of providing security guard services; and

      5. (v) documentation that the individual has either:

         1. 1. satisfactorily completed 12 hours of initial security training that is approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission under § 19-412 of this subtitle; or
         2. 2. been employed as a police officer in the 3 years immediately preceding the application;
   5. (5) pay to the licensed security guard agency or the security guard employer, for forwarding to the Secretary, the fees authorized under § 19-304(c) of this title; and
   6. (6) be at least 18 years old.
2. (b) On receipt from an applicant for certification as a security guard, a licensed security guard agency or security guard employer shall forward to the Secretary the applicant's application, fingerprint cards, and criminal history records check fees.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an applicant for certification as a security guard shall complete 12 hours of initial security training that is approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission under § 19-412 of this subtitle.

   2. (2) An applicant for certification may not be required to complete the training specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection if the applicant:

      1. (i) has been employed as a police officer in the 3 years immediately preceding the application; and
      2. (ii) provides supporting documentation with the application for certification as a security guard in accordance with subsection (a)(4)(v)2 of this section.

Added by Acts 1996, c. 602, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996. Amended by Acts 1999, c. 415, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2002, c. 418, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2023, c. 763, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2024, c. 737, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2024, c. 738, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.