How to obtain armed and unarmed private security certificates and where to get them is a frequently searched topic among private security personnel, whose numbers have risen significantly in recent years. As demand for both unarmed and armed security staff grows, it is mandatory for those wishing to work in this role to obtain an official private security identity card.
How to Obtain a Private Security Certificate
Armed and unarmed private security certificates are issued after applicants apply to the General Directorate of Security’s Private Security Department and pass periodic exams organized by the institution. Candidates must reach the success threshold set by the authority to obtain the certificate.
Requirements to Obtain an Armed or Unarmed Private Security Certificate
Certain legal requirements must be met to obtain either an armed or unarmed private security certificate. Some requirements differ depending on whether the certificate is for armed or unarmed duty.
Requirements for obtaining an armed security certificate:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey
- Have at least a high school diploma (or equivalent)
- Be at least 21 years old and have reached the 22nd year
- Not be deprived of public rights
- Be in good physical health
- Be in good mental health
- Have no condition that prevents performing the profession properly
- Be eligible to receive a criminal record
- Not have been sentenced to more than one year of imprisonment for any crime
Under Law No. 5188, candidates who will serve armed must also obtain a health report from a fully equipped public hospital stating they are fit to serve as an “armed private security officer,” in accordance with the Ministry of Health circular 2004/74.
Requirements to Become an Unarmed Private Security Officer
Requirements to qualify as an unarmed security officer are somewhat more flexible than for armed officers and can be summarized as follows.
Requirements for obtaining an unarmed security certificate:
- Be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey
- Have at least a primary education diploma (8 years of primary education or equivalent)
- Be at least 18 years old and have reached the 19th year
- Not be deprived of public rights
- Have no condition preventing the proper exercise of the profession
- Be in good physical health
- Be in good mental health
- Be eligible to receive a criminal record
- Not have been sentenced to more than six months of imprisonment for any crime
According to Law No. 5188, unarmed candidates must also obtain a health report from an authorized health institution stating they are fit to serve as an “unarmed private security officer.”
Where to Get an Armed / Unarmed Private Security Certificate
Private security officers tasked with protecting people, institutions and valuable assets receive training in topics such as:
- Security systems
- Public relations
- Law
- Communication
- Disaster response
- Fire safety
- First aid
- Explosive awareness
- and more relevant areas
To obtain a private security certificate, applicants must first enroll in accredited institutions that provide these courses in each province. For unarmed certification, the training requirement is 100 hours; for armed certification, 120 hours. Attendance is mandatory: missing more than 10% of the training without an excuse disqualifies the candidate from certification for that term. In excused cases, up to 30% absence is permitted.
After completing the training, candidates who apply to the General Directorate of Security’s Private Security Department will sit periodic exams consisting of 100 questions. Those who achieve the passing score earn the armed or unarmed private security certificate. Exam difficulty generally corresponds to the training content.
Studies show that about 5.4% of participants fail the exam three times in a row. Reviewing previous exam topics thoroughly and maintaining focus during the test are important to avoid prolonged delays in certification.
How to Obtain an Armed / Unarmed Private Security Identity Card
Candidates who pass the exams held by the Private Security Department must apply to the Provincial Security Directorate or the Private Security Branch in their place of residence with the required documents to receive their identity cards. After administrative procedures, the identity cards are issued and sent to the applicants’ addresses by the governor’s office.
Information on the identity card includes:
- Full name
- Photograph
- Whether they are authorized to work armed or unarmed
The authority that issues the security certificate is the institution providing the private security training. Additionally, certificate holders are required to attend a 60-hour renewal training every five years and pass the renewal exam to keep their certification valid.
Required Documents to Enroll in a Private Security Course
Among the conditions for receiving a security certificate, the following documents must be submitted in full when enrolling in the course:
- Photocopy of the diploma from the last graduated school (1 copy)
- Photocopy of ID card (1 copy)
- Residence document (can be obtained from the local muhtar or via e-government)
- 4 passport-size photos
How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Private Security Certificate?
Duration varies by course type. Armed security candidates typically complete around 120 hours of training, while unarmed candidates complete about 100 hours. Given typical course schedules, obtaining a private security certificate usually takes between 15 and 20 days.
What Are the Conditions to Obtain an Unarmed Security Certificate?
- Be a Turkish citizen
- Be in good physical health
- Be in good mental health
- Be eligible to receive a criminal record
- Not have been sentenced to more than six months imprisonment for a crime
- Not be deprived of public rights
- Have at least primary education or equivalent
- Have no condition preventing exercise of the profession
- Be at least 18 years old
How Much Does an Armed Security Certificate Cost?
Costs for an armed private security certificate include the medical report fee, course fee, shooting range fee and identity card fee. Total expenses for armed certification typically range between 2,100 TL and 2,400 TL.
How Much Does an Unarmed Security Certificate Cost?
Costs for an unarmed private security certificate include the course fee, medical report and identity card fee. Total expenses for unarmed certification generally range between 1,500 TL and 1,800 TL.