Your route into security
How to become a security officer in France
Check your eligibility
- Meet CNAPS suitability and criminal-record checks.
- Obtain prior authorisation before starting regulated training.
- Foreign applicants must meet the French-language requirement; CNAPS specifies B1.
- Non-EU/EEA applicants should check the residence-history condition and applicable exceptions with CNAPS.
Check eligibility
Use CNAPS to confirm suitability, language and residence conditions before paying for training.
Apply for training authorisation
Submit the CNAPS prior-authorisation application and required identity documents.
Complete an accepted qualification
Attend an authorised centre and pass its qualification assessments.
Apply for the professional card
Submit the qualification and required documents to CNAPS. The card is normally valid for five years.
Training in France
What training do you need?
An accepted qualification such as TFP Agent de prévention et de sécurité (TFP APS). Check the training centre's authorisation and the qualification's current registration.
How long is the training?
AFPA example: approximately five weeks, comprising 175 training hours and seven examination hours.
How much does it cost?
Training providers in France
Training provider
AFPA
TFP Agent de prévention et de sécurité
- Course duration
- 175 hours plus seven examination hours
- Published price
- €1,638 net of tax, indicative
Provider course example. Confirm the current centre authorisation, intake and funding eligibility before booking.
Check course detailsPrices and availability are checked on the dates cited. Directory inclusion identifies a source to investigate; confirmed partnerships are agreed separately.
Security guard & officer pay
How much do security guards earn in France?
€1,883.85 gross per month is the 2026 collective-agreement minimum at coefficient 120 for 151.67 monthly hours. Classification and the applicable statutory minimum must be checked.
collective_agreement_minimum · 2026-01-01
Compare hours, gross or net pay, overtime and benefits. Wage floors and occupational medians describe different measures.
Before you take your next step
- CNAPS authorisation, qualification award and professional card are separate stages.
- The qualification registration and provider authorisation must remain valid for the intended intake.
- Online career preparation does not itself meet the TFP APS practical and assessment requirements.
Official sources and course information
- CNAPS entry route
- CNAPS training requirements
- TFP APS qualification registration
- AFPA course
- 2026 collective minimum
Reviewed 2026-09-16. Follow the current instructions for your precise role and work location.