New York security worker handbook

Chapter 01

Registration and required training

Keep the state registration and course certificates together.

New York Department of State administers security guard registration; DCJS oversees approved training schools and instructors. The usual unarmed route begins with an eight-hour pre-assignment course. Registration has its own application, eligibility and screening requirements. An independent handbook completion badge supplies no state registration.

The route then includes a 16-hour on-the-job course addressing the duties, work site and employer needs, followed by eight-hour annual in-service training. The law and agency guidance describe the on-the-job timing; book it promptly with your employer and approved school. Keep certificates and check the training record when planning renewal.

• Check that the school and instructor are approved.
• Complete the required registration application and screening.
• Ask the employer to confirm OJT and annual training deadlines.

Official sources: New York Department of StateNew York SenateNew York Senate

Chapter 02

Private-security authority

Build the decision from the facts and the applicable law.

General security registration establishes a private role. Observe, prevent, assist and report within your assignment. A uniform and employer instructions do not supply the powers of a police or peace officer. Ask for supervisory advice when an instruction appears to exceed your role or the law.

Criminal Procedure Law section 140.30 describes arrest by a private person. It requires an offence to have actually occurred under the stated circumstances; a non-felony offence must have occurred in the person’s presence and the arrest is geographically limited. This is a high-risk area requiring approved instruction. When unsure, maintain safety, seek police assistance and preserve observations.

• Keep suspicion separate from verified facts.
• Identify the legal basis before restricting movement.
• Follow the trained escalation route.

Official sources: New York SenateNew York Department of State

Chapter 03

Access checks and permission

Explain the process and preserve safe ways to resolve refusal.

At the start of a shift, confirm who may enter, which identification process applies and who can approve exceptions. Visitor rules differ by property and activity. Carry out checks respectfully and record decisions through the authorised system. Routine admission screening based on consent requires clear permission and an understood scope.

A visitor who declines an optional bag check should be given the lawful options in the site procedure. Escalate uncertainty about entry, removal or detention. Search and arrest have distinct legal limits; the employer’s access policy alone cannot resolve every question. Avoid confrontation and keep emergency exits usable.

• Use approved channels to verify a claimed appointment.
• Pause a consent-based check when consent is withdrawn.
• Ask for assistance before the interaction becomes unsafe.

Official sources: New York Department of StateNew York SenateUS OSHA

Chapter 04

Communication and equal access

Recognise communication needs and apply rules consistently.

Give one clear instruction at a time and listen to the response. Keep your tone calm, avoid insults and ask for another member of staff if the situation becomes difficult. Record behaviour that matters to the incident, while leaving assumptions about identity or intent out of the account.

People may need assistance with hearing, language, mobility or understanding. At premises covered by the ADA, service-animal access is protected subject to the applicable rules. If a dog’s task is unclear, staff may ask the two permitted questions. They generally cannot demand a certificate or a demonstration, or ask the nature of the disability. Refer uncertainty to the trained supervisor.

• Ask what assistance would make the process clear.
• Explain delays and available next steps.
• Use the same lawful standard for comparable situations.

Official sources: New York Department of StateUS Department of JusticeUS Department of Justice

Chapter 05

Intervention and police handover

Keep the response lawful, proportionate and accountable.

New York Penal Law article 35 governs justification and contains different provisions for different circumstances. The rules for police and private persons are distinct. Use of force requires authorised instruction and careful assessment of the actual situation. This handbook does not teach restraint techniques.

Following a private-person arrest under section 140.30, section 140.40 requires delivery, or attempted delivery, to an appropriate police officer without unnecessary delay. The statute also addresses subsequent court procedure. Request police assistance promptly, seek medical help where needed and provide an accurate account of the grounds and actions.

• Treat current risk as a continuing assessment.
• Call appropriate emergency services early.
• Record actions and handover details.

Official sources: New York SenateNew York Senate

Chapter 06

Reports, evidence and confidentiality

Create a clear record that another person can understand.

Write a chronological account using times, places, observed actions and the assistance requested. Separate witness information from personal observation. If you do not know an exact time, say that it is an estimate. Preserve original notes and correct errors transparently using your employer’s procedure.

CCTV and access records should stay in authorised systems. Restrict access to the task, preserve material needed for an incident and record its transfer. Medical assignments can add HIPAA obligations through the employing organisation. Direct personal enquiries and requests for footage to the authorised contact. Avoid discussing incidents publicly or making promises about outcomes.

• Include what happened before, during and after your action.
• Record who received information or evidence.
• Report missing records or accidental disclosure promptly.

Official sources: New York Department of StateUS Department of Health and Human Services

Chapter 07

Emergency and welfare response

Know the site plan, emergency number and responder entrance.

Before taking over a post, locate alarms, exits, assembly points and emergency equipment. Confirm how assistance is arranged for people who may need it. If there is immediate danger, call 911 and give the precise address, entrance and known hazards. Follow the site plan and emergency-service instructions.

For a medical event, assess scene safety and call for appropriate help. Provide care within current training and dispatcher guidance. Record relevant observations for responders and protect the person’s privacy. Keep the route clear. Evacuation or first-aid duties require workplace instruction and practice in addition to reading.

• Maintain access for emergency vehicles.
• Report missing persons through the designated coordinator.
• Remain clear of smoke, chemicals and other uncontrolled hazards.

Official sources: US OSHAAmerican Red Cross

Chapter 08

Use practice to prepare for the approved course

Check the real assessment arrangements with your school.

DCJS describes examinations for required introductory and on-the-job courses. This review has not verified a current public standard for a single statewide unarmed question count, timer or pass mark. The quiz in this handbook is an original knowledge check. Your approved school confirms the assessment and attendance rules for its course.

Use every incorrect answer to identify a chapter to revisit. Practise describing an incident aloud, completing a report and finding the applicable legal source. Keep registration, OJT and annual training in your calendar. A strong worker continues to ask questions when the site, assignment or rules change.

• Read the explanation and source after each practice item.
• Ask the approved school about assessment accessibility.
• Confirm the role-specific training required by your employer.

Official sources: New York DCJSNew York Department of StateNew York Senate

Your assessment route

New York knowledge check

16 original questions on the unarmed guard route and decisions at work. The topic allocation is our study design. Current official sources confirm course examinations but a universal state question count, duration and pass mark have not been verified.

Use the score and explanations to identify revision topics. No official pass or licensing result is assigned to this knowledge check.

Other training and assessment requirements

Complete the approved pre-assignment, on-the-job and annual in-service requirements applicable to you. The DCJS-approved school administers the course examination and confirms the assessment arrangements.

Before your shift

• Confirm registration evidence and required course dates with the employer.
• Read the assignment instructions and the latest handover.
• Check radio contact and escalation arrangements.
• Know the limits of the role and when to seek police assistance.
• Identify emergency routes, the exact address and support for people needing help.
• Use consistent access rules and accessible communication.
• Record facts promptly and protect confidential material.
• Hand over unresolved matters and confirm the next responsible person.

Words you will use

DOS

New York Department of State, responsible for the registration route.

DCJS

New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, responsible for security guard training-school oversight and requirements.

Pre-assignment training

The ordinary initial eight-hour course before the guard application route.

On-the-job training

The ordinary 16-hour course connected to the employed guard’s duties.

Annual in-service

The recurring eight-hour training in the ordinary unarmed route.

Private-person arrest

The limited arrest route under Criminal Procedure Law section 140.30.

Offence in fact

An offence actually committed, a requirement in the relevant private-person arrest grounds.

Handover

The transfer of relevant information or responsibility through the applicable police or workplace process.

Knowledge check

Independent revision questions with explanations and no claim to award a state assessment result.

Official sources

Sources checked: 2026-09-20 · Next source review: 2026-12-20

1. Service animals and the ADA

   US Department of Justice · 2026-09-20

2. Service animal questions and limits

   US Department of Justice · 2026-09-20

3. HIPAA minimum necessary requirement

   US Department of Health and Human Services · 2026-09-20

4. Criminal Procedure Law section 140.30

   New York Senate · 2026-09-20

5. General Business Law section 89-h

   New York Senate · 2026-09-20

6. Security guard training FAQ

   New York DCJS · 2026-09-20 · Provider-delivered examinations; confirm arrangements with the approved school.

7. Penal Law section 35.30

   New York Senate · 2026-09-20

8. Criminal Procedure Law section 140.40

   New York Senate · 2026-09-20

9. Security Guard Training Requirements

   New York Department of State · 2026-09-20

10. General Business Law section 89-n

    New York Senate · 2026-09-20

11. Emergency action plans

    US OSHA · 2026-09-20

12. First aid response steps

    American Red Cross · 2026-09-20

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