Trainer Certification
The PPSB certifies trainers to deliver Board-approved training courses to prospective and current armed and unarmed security guards and armored car guards. Available certifications include unarmed, firearm (handgun), and long gun (shotgun and rifle). Certified trainers typically work for private protective services firms that train their own employees, but trainers may also operate independently. Unarmed trainers must have at least one year of verifiable experience in private security or law enforcement. Firearms trainers must have at least one year of verifiable experience in private security or law enforcement and possess an unarmed guard trainer certificate. Additional training is required to become a long gun instructor. A trainer certification is valid for two years.
Unarmed Guard Trainer Certification
The Unarmed Guard Trainer Certification permits the holder to train new unarmed guards to serve a Board-approved License holder in the State of North Carolina.
Becoming an Unarmed Guard Trainer requires at least one year of experience as a security guard, law enforcement officer, or a related profession.
Prior to attending the Unarmed Guard or Firearms Trainer course, you must complete the appropriate Trainer Application using the Trainer Tab on the Permitium Dashboard. Once the training request has been received, it will be evaluated by the Training Officer and spaces in upcoming classes will be filled on a first come/first served basis.
Unarmed Guard Trainer Course and Workshop
Wake Technical College Public Safety Training Center; 321 Chapanoke Rd., Raleigh.
The course is 40 hours long and teaches officers how to instruct Unarmed Guard Training. If an individual holds a General Instructor Certificate from N.C. Training and Standards, it will only be necessary to attend the Workshop portion of the course, which is held the last day of the course.
July 15-19, 2024
September 9-13, 2024
December 9-13, 2024
February 24-28, 2025
May 5-9, 2025
August 4-8, 2025
September 15-19, 2025
December 8-12, 2025
Unarmed Guard Trainer Resources
Important Note: You must be a Certified Unarmed Guard Trainer prior to becoming a Firearms Trainer and have one year of supervisory experience in the security guard and patrol field or related profession.
Firearms Trainer Certification
The Firearms Trainer Certification permits the holder to train armed guards to serve a Board-approved License holder in the State of North Carolina.
Firearms Certification Courses and Workshop
NC Justice Academy, 200 W College St, Salemburg, NC 28385
December 10-13, 2024
April 28-May 1, 2025
This is a 32-hour course designed to provide the student with the knowledge, skills and ability to instruct the Private Protective Services armed guard certification registration course. All individuals wanting to become a firearms trainer MUST attend a pre-qualification class and score a minimum score of 90%, two times out of three, day and night, with all handguns. If you choose to qualify with the shotgun, you must score a minimum of 90% one out of two times in the day qualification only. If you qualify with at least one handgun, you can attend the next 32-hour firearms trainer course.
If an individual holds a Firearms Instructor Certificate from N.C. Training and Standards, it will only be necessary to attend the Workshop portion of the course, which is held the last day of the course. Again, students must have previously attended a pre-qualification course before attending the 32-hour course.
Firearms Prequalification and Recertification Courses – One-Day Course
Samarcand Training Academy, 3600 Samarcand Rd, Jackson Springs, NC 27281
September 16, 2024November 25, 2024 (Changed to November 19, 2024)
March 5, 2025
March 13, 2025 (Prequalification only)
April 9, 2025
May 21, 2025
September 3, 2025
October 9, 2025
November 12, 2025
Basic Firearms Trainer Courses (32 hours)
NC Justice Academy, 200 W. College St, Salemburg, NC 28385
December 10-13, 2024
April 28-May 1, 2025
Long Gun Trainer Certification
Completion of the Long Gun Trainer Course permits an active Firearms Trainer to expand their training capabilities to shotguns and rifles. This is a supplemental 24-hour course that has a pre-requisite of first having completed the initial 8-hour Pre-Qualification course and subsequent 32-hour Firearms Trainer Course (handgun only), thereby totaling 40 hours. More specifically, this course requires an active Firearms Trainer to successfully qualify with a minimal score of 90% or better one out of two times during the day qualification on the shotgun; then you must score a 90% or better on the day and night qualification courses one out of two times on the rifle. During this course, a basic Skills Test must also be completed, which includes a previously qualified handgun, either a semi-automatic or revolver.
Long Gun Instructor Course
NC Justice Academy, 200 W College St, Salemburg, NC 28385
April 22-24, 2025
Long Gun Instructor Re-Certification Course
Samarcand Training Academy, 3600 Samarcand Rd, Jackson Springs, NC 27281
November 19, 2024
March 5, 2025
November 19, 2025
Questions?
Review the Training section of the FAQ.
For additional concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.