8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment Training
The mandatory NYS starting point for every unarmed security officer. Covers the Security Guard Act, legal authority, ethics, observation, and emergency response.
EnrollTrain. Certify. Protect.
New York's certified pathway to a security career — taught in midtown by retired law‑enforcement instructors, since 2008.
SCROLL
18
Years Operating
10,000+
Licensed Graduates
94%
Placement Rate
40+
Hiring Partners
File 02
Course Catalog
Every certificate New York requires — and a few that put you ahead.
Each course is taught by DCJS‑certified instructors at our 5 Penn Plaza classroom. Online options available where state law permits. Tuition includes all materials and exam administration.
16‑Hour On‑the‑Job Training
Required within 90 days of hire. Site‑level procedures, communication, patrol, access control, terrorism awareness, and incident reporting.
Enroll8‑Hour Annual In‑Service
Required every calendar year to maintain your security registration. Refreshes legal updates, ethics, and active‑threat response.
Enroll47‑Hour Firearms Course
The state‑mandated curriculum to qualify as an armed security guard. Classroom legal authority, use‑of‑force, and live‑fire qualification at a partnered range.
Enroll8‑Hour Annual Firearms Retraining
Required annually to maintain your armed registration. Range time, legal updates, and qualification.
EnrollCPR / AED & First Aid
American Heart Association certified course. Required for many corporate security and event posts. Two‑year card issued same day.
EnrollFireguard F‑01 / F‑02
FDNY Certificate of Fitness preparation for fire‑safety and impairment‑watch duties at high‑rise and commercial properties.
EnrollOSHA‑10 General Industry
Federal workplace‑safety credential for security personnel on construction and industrial sites. DOL card issued.
EnrollExecutive Protection
Advanced curriculum for close‑protection professionals: advance work, motorcade, threat assessment, defensive tactics, and protective drills.
EnrollLoss Prevention & Retail Security
Specialized track for asset protection: observation, apprehension law, shrink reduction, civil recovery, and incident documentation.
Enroll24‑Hour New Guard Package
8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment + 16‑Hour OJT bundled. The fastest path from zero to placement‑ready, including fingerprint coordination.
Enroll
File 03
Licensure Pathway
From sign‑up to licensed, in four steps.
The State of New York requires a specific sequence to issue your security registration. Here is exactly what happens — and where R.A.C.K. fits in.
01
START HERE
Complete 8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment
Take the NYS‑mandated foundation course at our Penn Plaza classroom (or live online). You'll leave with a Certificate of Completion — your ticket to apply for state registration.
- Time
- 1 day
- Issued
- NYS DCJS Cert.
02
PAPERWORK
Apply to the NY Dept. of State
Submit your application, fingerprints, and fees. We hand‑hold every student through MorphoTrust scheduling and form completion — most applicants get their registration in 4–6 weeks.
- Time
- 4–6 weeks
- Issued
- NYS Reg. Card
03
PLACEMENT
Get hired by a licensed agency
R.A.C.K. shares your résumé with 40+ hiring partners across NYC — corporate towers, retail, healthcare, residential, and event security. Most graduates field offers within two weeks.
- Time
- ~2 weeks
- Starting
- $19–$28 / hr
04
FINISH LINE
Complete 16‑Hour OJT within 90 days
State law requires you to finish the 16‑Hour On‑the‑Job Training within 90 days of being placed. Come right back to us — your OJT instructor will know you by name.
- Time
- 2 days
- Status
- Fully Licensed
+
ANNUAL
8‑Hour Annual In‑Service
Every calendar year for life‑of‑license: legal updates, ethics, active‑threat refresh. Block off a Saturday. We'll handle the rest.
- Time
- 1 day / year
- Status
- Licensed (renewed)
File 04
Class Calendar
Upcoming sessions — book the next seat.
Classes run year‑round, weekdays and weekends. Online sections are taught live (not pre‑recorded). Seats listed are current as of May 10, 2026.
| Date | Course | Hours | Time | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8‑Hr Pre‑Assignment | SEC‑101 | 9:00 — 17:30 | 3 left | Book → | |
| 16‑Hr OJT | SEC‑201 | 9:00 — 17:30 (2 days) | 11 left | Book → | |
| 8‑Hr Annual In‑Service | SEC‑301 | 13:00 — 21:30 | 14 left | Book → | |
| 47‑Hr Firearms | SEC‑471 | 5 days · range incl. | 2 left | Book → | |
| CPR / AED & First Aid | MED‑110 | 10:00 — 15:00 | 9 left | Book → | |
| Fireguard F‑01 / F‑02 | FDNY‑F01 | 9:00 — 17:30 | 16 left | Book → |
| Date | Course | Hours | Time (ET) | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8‑Hr Pre‑Assignment | SEC‑101 | 9:00 — 17:30 | 22 left | Book → | |
| 8‑Hr Annual In‑Service | SEC‑301 | 18:00 — 02:30 | 28 left | Book → | |
| OSHA‑10 General Industry | OSHA‑10 | 2 evenings | 17 left | Book → | |
| 8‑Hr Pre‑Assignment | SEC‑101 | 9:00 — 17:30 | 24 left | Book → |
File 05
Training Cadre
Taught by the people who did the job for thirty years.
Our instructors are retired NYPD, FDNY, and U.S. military — every one of them DCJS‑certified to teach the curriculum they spent careers practicing.
File 06
Corporate & Group
Need a trained roster, not just one guard?
We run on‑site training for corporate, hospitality, healthcare, and event clients across the tri‑state area. Group rates, custom curricula, and a direct staffing pipeline if you need to grow your force quickly.
- 01Volume tuition rates — from 10 students
- 02On‑site delivery anywhere in NY / NJ / CT
- 03Custom modules (de‑escalation, EP, executive)
- 04Direct hiring pipeline from each graduating cohort
File 07
Outcomes
A career, not a certificate.
14
days
Avg. time from class to first job offer.
$24
/ hr
Median starting wage, NYC, armed posts.
94%
Placement rate within 90 days of license.
"Showed up Monday with nothing. Had my certificate Tuesday and an offer letter from a midtown property by Friday. R.A.C.K. did what they said they'd do."
"The firearms course is the real thing. Instructors are NYPD, range time is no joke, and the legal modules are exactly what you need to do the job without getting into trouble."
"I'd taken the 8‑hour somewhere cheaper and learned nothing. Came to R.A.C.K. for my OJT and finally understood what the state actually expects on a post."
File 08
Frequently Asked
The questions we hear at the front desk.
Have something not covered here? Call us at (347) 693‑3021 — we answer 24/7, every day of the year.
Q.01 How much does it cost to become a licensed security guard in New York?
The full unarmed pathway runs roughly $320–$370 all‑in: $95 for the 8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment, $145 for the 16‑Hour OJT, plus the State of New York's $36 registration fee and $87.25 fingerprint processing through MorphoTrust. Our 24‑Hour Bundle ships the two required courses together for $195, saving you $45.
Q.02 Do I need to be fingerprinted? Where do I do it?
Yes. New York runs your fingerprints against state and FBI databases as part of your registration. Appointments are booked through MorphoTrust's IdentoGO system; the closest Manhattan site is on West 31st Street, three blocks from our classroom. We help every student book the appointment correctly the first time.
Q.03 What's the difference between armed and unarmed registration?
Unarmed officers complete the 8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment, 16‑Hour OJT, and 8‑Hour Annual In‑Service. Armed officers must also hold a valid New York pistol permit, complete the 47‑Hour Firearms Course, and re‑qualify yearly through the 8‑Hour Annual Firearms Retraining. Armed officers typically earn $4–$8 more per hour.
Q.04 Can I take classes online, or does it have to be in person?
New York permits live‑online delivery for the 8‑Hour Pre‑Assignment, 8‑Hour Annual In‑Service, and OSHA‑10. The 16‑Hour OJT and any firearms training must be completed in person — OJT at our 5 Penn Plaza classroom, firearms at our partnered Long Island range.
Q.05 When do I need to renew?
Your security registration is valid for two years. To remain in good standing you must complete the 8‑Hour Annual In‑Service each calendar year, plus the 8‑Hour Annual Firearms Retraining if you're armed. Miss the annual and your registration is suspended until you make it up.
Q.06 Do you help with job placement?
Yes — placement support is included with every course, no extra cost. We circulate graduate résumés to 40+ hiring partners across NYC, host on‑site interview days monthly, and our placement coordinator follows up at 30 and 90 days to make sure you've landed.
File 09
Enroll
Reserve a seat in the next class.
Tell us the course you're aiming for and the best way to reach you. A R.A.C.K. enrollment counselor will respond within one business day — usually faster.