Georgia Security Unarmed Pre-Licensing Course

Name: Georgia Security Unarmed Pre-Licensing Course
Price: 125 USD
Availability: InStock

On-Demand Course

Georgia -24 Hour Course

$125 24 Credit Hours

Course Overview

Georgia 24-Hour Unarmed Security Officer Course This Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies–approved course meets the 24-hour pre-licensing training requirement under O.C.G.A. § 43-38-7.1 and Board Rule 509-3-.02. Delivered by a state-licensed instructor (CFTR001502), the curriculum covers the role and legal responsibilities of private security, use of force, patrol techniques, report writing, communication, public relations, situational response, terrorism awareness, and security ethics. Graduates receive a Board-approved certificate of completion qualifying them for employment as an unarmed security officer in the State of Georgia.

What's Included

• 24 hours of comprehensive training
• Professional certification upon completion
• Access to course materials

Learning Objectives

• Georgia 24-Hour Unarmed Security Officer Course — Learning Objectives
• Given 24 hours of asynchronous online instruction delivered through the Security Compliance Academy learning management system, including video lectures, written course materials, interactive scenarios, knowledge checks, and references to applicable Georgia law and Board regulations. Behavior: The student will demonstrate the foundational knowledge, legal awareness, and operational understanding required to perform the duties of an unarmed security officer in the State of Georgia. Standard: By scoring a minimum of 80% on the comprehensive written final examination, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 43-38-7.1, § 43-38-10.1, and Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• The Nature and Role of Private Security
• Given asynchronous online instruction, course materials, and reference to O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 38 and Georgia Board Rules Chapter 509. Behavior: The student will identify the history, purpose, and role of private security in Georgia and articulate the distinctions between private security personnel and sworn law enforcement officers. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Legal Responsibilities of the Unarmed Security Officer
• Given asynchronous online instruction and reference to O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 38; O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60 (Citizen's Arrest); and applicable Georgia case law. Behavior: The student will describe the legal authority, jurisdictional limits, search and seizure considerations, and civil and criminal liabilities applicable to unarmed security officers in Georgia. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 3 — Use of Force
• Behavior: The student will explain the legal and ethical standards governing use of force by an unarmed security officer, including levels of force, the reasonableness standard, and reporting requirements. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 4 — Patrol Procedures and Observation Skills
• The student will describe foot and vehicle patrol techniques, perimeter and access control procedures, observation skills, and the recognition of suspicious behavior and pre-attack indicators. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 5 — Documentation and Report Writing
• The student will compose accurate, factual, chronological, and legally defensible field notes, daily activity reports, and incident reports. Standard: Submitted reports shall be complete, free of conjecture and opinion, and meet a minimum 80% rating on the report-writing rubric, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 6 — Communication and Conflict De-escalation
• The student will identify effective verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, radio discipline, and verbal de-escalation techniques appropriate to security operations. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 7 — Public Relations: Community and Client
• The student will identify and explain the appropriate response to common security incidents, including disturbances, trespassing, theft, medical emergencies, fire, evacuations, and accident-scene protection. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the scenario-based module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 8 — Situational Response, Part I (Routine Incidents)
• The student will identify and explain the appropriate response to common security incidents, including disturbances, trespassing, theft, medical emergencies, fire, evacuations, and accident-scene protection. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the scenario-based module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 9 — Situational Response, Part II (Critical Incidents
• The student will identify and explain the appropriate response to critical incidents, including active-threat events, workplace violence, bomb threats, hostage situations, and crime-scene preservation pending law enforcement arrival. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the scenario-based module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 10 — Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
• The student will recognize indicators of terrorist activity, suspicious behavior, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats, and describe the security officer's role in reporting and initial response. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.
• Module 11 — Security Ethics
• The student will apply ethical decision-making principles to scenarios involving honesty, integrity, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and professional conduct. Standard: With a minimum score of 80% on the module assessment, in accordance with Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02.

Course Content

Georgia Board–approved 24-hour unarmed security officer course, 100% online and on-demand. Earn your BPDSA-approved certificate from Security Compliance Academy

• Module 1: The Nature and Role of Private Security in Georgia (approx. 2 hours)
• This opening module of the Georgia 24-hour unarmed security officer course establishes the foundation of the private security profession in the State of Georgia. Students examine the history of private security, the difference between private security officers and sworn law enforcement, and the role unarmed guards play in protecting people, property, and information. The module introduces the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (BPDSA), the regulatory authority created by the Georgia Private Detective and Security Agencies Act, and outlines how the Board's rules govern every licensed and registered security professional in the state.
• Module 2: Legal Responsibilities of the Unarmed Security Officer (approx. 3 hours)
• This module covers the legal authority, limitations, and liabilities of unarmed security officers under Georgia law. Students study the statutes and case law that define what an unarmed Georgia security guard can and cannot legally do on post, including citizen's arrest under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60, search and seizure considerations, trespass authority, and the consequences of acting outside the scope of legal authority. The module emphasizes the civil and criminal exposure that follows an unlawful detention or use of force, and how proper documentation and adherence to post orders protect both the officer and the employer from liability. Key topics covered: Authority and jurisdiction of unarmed Georgia security guards Citizen's arrest under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-60 Search, seizure, and trespass authority on private property Civil and criminal liability for security officers Constitutional considerations and protected rights Georgia Board penalties for unlawful conduct
• Module 3: Use of Force and Justification (approx. 2 hours)
• The Use of Force module trains Georgia security officers to understand the legal and ethical framework governing physical force on duty. Students learn the use-of-force continuum, the Georgia justification statutes under O.C.G.A. § 16-3-20 et seq., the reasonableness standard applied by Georgia courts, and the documentation required any time force is threatened or applied. The module emphasizes de-escalation as the preferred response and clarifies that unarmed officers do not carry firearms — making sound judgment, communication, and disengagement the officer's most important tools. Key topics covered: The use-of-force continuum Reasonable force under Georgia law Self-defense, defense of others, and defense of property Restrictions specific to unarmed security officers Mandatory use-of-force reporting and documentation Civil and criminal consequences of excessive force
• Module 4: Patrol Procedures and Observation Skills (approx. 2 hours)
• Georgia unarmed security officer training course develops the operational core of the profession: patrol. Students learn foot and vehicle patrol techniques, post orders, perimeter and access control, lighting and lock checks, and the observation skills needed to distinguish routine activity from suspicious behavior. The module introduces pre-attack indicators, behavioral cues, and the "observe and report" doctrine that defines the unarmed officer's role. Key topics covered: Foot patrol and vehicle patrol techniques Reading and following post orders Access control and visitor management Perimeter checks, lighting, and lock checks Observation skills and pre-attack indicators Suspicious-person and suspicious-activity recognition The "observe and report" doctrine
• Module 5: Documentation and Report Writing for Security Officers (approx. 3 hours)
• Strong documentation is the single most important skill an unarmed security officer can develop. This module teaches Georgia security guards how to take accurate field notes, complete daily activity reports (DARs), and produce incident reports that hold up in court, in arbitration, and in employment investigations. Students learn the difference between fact and conclusion, how to write chronologically, and how to record statements, descriptions, and timelines that protect themselves, their employer, and their client.
• ey topics covered: Field note-taking standards Daily Activity Reports (DARs) Incident report structure: who, what, when, where, why, how Recording statements, suspect descriptions, and vehicle descriptions Writing factually and avoiding opinion or conjecture Reports as legal documents in civil and criminal proceedings Common report-writing mistakes that create liability
•

Module 6: Communication and Conflict De-escalation (approx. 2 hours)

• Georgia unarmed security officers in the verbal, nonverbal, and radio communication skills that resolve most security incidents before they escalate. Students learn active listening, professional command presence, customer-service standards, and the verbal de-escalation techniques that turn hostile encounters into compliant ones. The module also covers radio discipline, communicating with law enforcement on scene, and how to brief responding officers. Key topics covered: Verbal and nonverbal communication Active listening and professional command presence Verbal de-escalation techniques Radio communication and 10-codes / plain language Communicating with law enforcement, EMS, and fire personnel Cultural awareness and bias-free interaction

Module 7: Public Relations — Community and Client (approx. 1 hour)

• A Georgia security officer is the visible face of the client and the security industry. This module covers the customer-service expectations, professional appearance, and conduct standards that distinguish a top-performing officer from a liability. Students learn how to handle complaints, work with tenants and visitors, build positive client relationships, and represent both their employer and the broader security profession with integrity. Key topics covered: The officer as the face of the client Customer service and professional appearance Tenant, visitor, and contractor interactions Handling complaints and difficult people Public-image considerations and social media conduct

Module 8: Situational Response Part I — Routine Incidents (approx. 2 hours)

• Part I of Situational Response prepares Georgia unarmed security officers to respond to the incidents they will encounter on most shifts. Students work through scenarios involving disturbances, trespassing, theft and shoplifting, medical emergencies, fires and evacuations, and accident-scene protection. The module reinforces the response framework taught throughout the course: assess, communicate, act within authority, document, and report. Key topics covered: Disturbances, disorderly conduct, and trespassing Theft, shoplifting, and shrinkage Medical emergencies and basic first aid awareness Fire response and evacuation procedures Motor vehicle accidents on property Lost children, missing persons, and welfare checks

Module 9: Situational Response Part II — Critical Incidents (approx. 2 hours)

• Part II covers high-consequence events that demand immediate, correct decisions. Students learn how to recognize and respond to active-threat events, workplace violence, bomb threats, hostage situations, and crime-scene preservation pending law enforcement arrival. The module emphasizes the unarmed officer's role: protect life first, contain and observe, communicate clearly, and turn the scene over to law enforcement intact. Key topics covered: Active threat / active shooter response (Run · Hide · Fight) Workplace violence indicators and response Bomb threats and suspicious package protocols Hostage and barricaded subject situations Crime-scene preservation for law enforcement Mass-casualty awareness and triage basics
•

Module 10: Terrorism Awareness and Weapons of Mass Destruction (approx. 2 hours)

• This module covers terrorism indicators, suspicious behavior, and the security officer's role in homeland security. Students learn to recognize Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats, identify pre-incident indicators, and report suspicious activity through appropriate channels. The module aligns with Department of Homeland Security and FBI threat-awareness guidance and reflects the Georgia Board's homeland-security training emphasis. Key topics covered: Domestic and international terrorism overview Pre-incident indicators and surveillance behavior Suspicious packages and improvised explosive devices CBRNE threat recognition and response "If You See Something, Say Something" reporting The security officer's role in homeland security

Module 11: Security Ethics and Professional Conduct (approx. 1 hour)

• The course closes with the standard that holds the entire profession together: ethics. This module presents an ethical decision-making framework and case studies on honesty, integrity, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and professional conduct. Students examine real-world scenarios in which Georgia security officers have faced disciplinary action, license revocation, or criminal prosecution for ethical failures, and they leave the module with the tools to recognize and resist similar situations on duty. Key topics covered: The ethical framework for private security Honesty, integrity, and confidentiality Conflicts of interest and gifts/gratuities Sexual harassment, discrimination, and respectful conduct Disciplinary actions and license consequences Building a professional reputation

Your Instructor

Catherine Flowers

## About the Instructor **Catherine "Cat" Flowers** — Director of Training, Security Compliance Academy *Georgia Classroom and Firearm Training Instructor — License # CFTR001502* Catherine is a retired Raleigh, North Carolina police officer, a former U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer, and a licensed private investigator with more than 27 years of combined field experience. She is a state-licensed security training instructor in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado, and a Board-recognized private investigator continuing-education provider in eight states. In addition to leading Security Compliance Academy, Catherine owns Cat's Eye Private Investigations (NCPI 2141) and serves as Director of Training for PI Leadership Academy. Her work has been featured on the cover of *PI Magazine* (May/June 2024), and her academies have earned more than 200 five-star Google reviews. Every certificate issued under CFTR001502 carries her personal endorsement that the graduate has met her standards.

Firearm Training Instructor license number is CFTR001502

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become an unarmed security guard in Georgia?

To become an unarmed security guard in Georgia, you must be at least 18 years old, be legally authorized to work in the United States, hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and pass a criminal background check. You must also complete a 24-hour pre-assignment training course from a Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies–approved provider before being assigned to a security post. Security Compliance Academy's Georgia Unarmed Security Officer Course satisfies that 24-hour training requirement and is delivered 100% online and on-demand.

How many hours of training are required to be an unarmed security guard in Georgia?

Georgia requires a minimum of 24 hours of Board-approved training for unarmed security officers under O.C.G.A. § 43-38-7.1 and Georgia Board Rule 509-3-.02. All 24 hours must be completed before an employee is assigned to a security post. The training must be delivered by a Board-licensed instructor or through a Board-approved program, and the student must receive a certificate of completion as proof of education.

Is this Georgia 24-hour unarmed security officer course Board-approved?

Yes. The Security Compliance Academy Georgia Unarmed Security Officer Course is approved by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies and is delivered under the authority of a state-licensed Classroom and Firearm Training Instructor (License # CFTR001502). Upon successful completion, students receive a Board-approved certificate of completion bearing the certifying instructor's license number — the document Georgia employers and the Board accept as proof of compliance with the 24-hour pre-assignment training requirement.

Can I take the Georgia unarmed security guard course online?

Yes. Georgia accepts Board-approved online security guard training to satisfy the 24-hour pre-assignment requirement. The Security Compliance Academy course is delivered 100% online and on-demand through a self-paced learning management system, allowing students to start immediately, study on their own schedule, and complete the training from any computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.

Do unarmed security guards have to register with the State of Georgia?

No. Unlike armed security guards, unarmed security officers in Georgia are not required to register individually with the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies. However, under O.C.G.A. § 43-38-7.1, every unarmed security officer must complete the Board-mandated 24-hour pre-assignment training before being placed on a post, and employers are required to maintain proof of that training in their employment records.

What's the difference between armed and unarmed security guards in Georgia?

Unarmed security guards in Georgia must complete 24 hours of Board-approved training, must be at least 18 years old, and are not required to register individually with the Georgia Board. Armed security guards must complete the 24-hour unarmed course plus an additional 15 hours of firearms training, must be at least 21 years old, must hold a Georgia Weapons Carry License, must register with the Georgia Board through their employer, and must complete 8 hours of continuing education annually. This course covers the unarmed 24-hour requirement only.

What can disqualify me from becoming a security guard in Georgia?

Under Georgia Board rules, any felony conviction may disqualify an applicant from working as a security guard, particularly felonies involving violence, fraud, or the illegal use of weapons. Misdemeanor convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be disqualifying if they show a pattern of disregard for the law. Applicants with a prior criminal record must submit certified court documentation showing the disposition of each charge. Final eligibility decisions are made by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies, not by the training provider.

Do I need a high school diploma to take the Georgia unarmed security course?

A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required to be hired as an unarmed security guard in Georgia. Students may enroll in and complete the 24-hour training course without a diploma on file with us, but a Georgia security employer will require proof of a high school diploma or GED before hiring and assigning the student to a post.

How long do I have to complete the online course?

Students enrolled in the Security Compliance Academy Georgia Unarmed Security Officer Course have access to the full 24-hour curriculum on a self-paced basis. The course is designed to be completed in as little as three days of focused study, but students may take longer and return to any module as often as needed during their access period. Specific access duration is provided at enrollment.

What happens if I don't pass the final exam on the first attempt?

Students who do not score the required 80% on the final examination on the first attempt may review the course content and retake the exam in accordance with the Security Compliance Academy retake policy provided at enrollment. The online learning platform allows students to revisit any module, replay video content, and re-attempt module knowledge checks before sitting the final examination again.

Does the Georgia unarmed security officer certificate expire?

The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies does not set a state-mandated expiration on the 24-hour unarmed certificate of completion itself, because unarmed security officers do not register individually with the Board. However, individual security employers may set their own internal policy on how recent the training must be at the time of hire, and any officer who later upgrades to an armed registration must comply with separate registration and continuing-education requirements. Students are encouraged to confirm currency expectations directly with their prospective employer.

Can I become an armed security officer in Georgia after completing this course?

Yes. The 24-hour unarmed course is the prerequisite for armed registration in Georgia. To upgrade to armed status, an officer must be at least 21 years old, complete an additional 15 hours of Board-approved firearms training, hold a valid Georgia Weapons Carry License, and be registered with the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies by an employing security company. After completing this course, you will hold the underlying training credential needed to begin that armed pathway.

What do I receive after completing the course?

Upon successful completion of all 11 modules and the final examination with a score of 80% or higher, students receive a Georgia Board–approved Certificate of Completion identifying the certifying instructor (CFTR001502), the course title, the date of completion, and the 24-hour training duration. The certificate is the official document Georgia security employers and the Georgia Board accept as proof of compliance with the state's pre-assignment training requirement, and it can be presented to employers in physical or digital form.