Guardian Shield Academy logo Security Training

Become a licensed Illinois security officer — the professional way.

A premium 20-hour basic security training course for students preparing to enter Illinois security work with more confidence. Study online, complete guided lessons and knowledge checks, prepare for the final exam, and move through a clear course path instead of guessing what comes next.

20 Hours Training Time
8 modules + final exam Course Flow
21 lessons Lessons
70% passing score Final Exam
Security classroom training
Now Available

Illinois 20-Hour Basic Security Training

  • One-time $55 enrollment for the full online course.
  • Structured lessons, knowledge checks, and quizzes built into the course path.
  • Final exam, progress tracking, and certificate completion flow included.
20 hours Training time
21 lessons Guided path
8 modules Core topics
Final exam Completion step
Certificate path After passing

The practical foundation every new security officer needs before stepping on post.

Build the core security officer skills students need: legal boundaries, communication, patrol, emergencies, access control, report writing, ethics, and professional judgment.

01

Introduction to Security

role expectations, service types, professionalism, and ethics basics.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

role expectations, service types, professionalism, and ethics basics.

02

Legal Powers and Limitations

use of force, detention, search limits, liability, and decision-making.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

use of force, detention, search limits, liability, and decision-making.

03

Communication and Public Relations

verbal communication, de-escalation, radio reports, and documentation basics.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

verbal communication, de-escalation, radio reports, and documentation basics.

04

Patrol Techniques

foot patrol, vehicle patrol, observation, surveillance, note-taking, and incident response.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

foot patrol, vehicle patrol, observation, surveillance, note-taking, and incident response.

05

Emergency Procedures

fire safety, evacuation, medical emergencies, first aid overview, bomb threats, and disasters.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

fire safety, evacuation, medical emergencies, first aid overview, bomb threats, and disasters.

06

Access Control and Trespass

entry control, ID/key management, unauthorized persons, and trespass response.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

entry control, ID/key management, unauthorized persons, and trespass response.

07

Report Writing

incident reports, daily activity reports, legal importance, and best practices.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

incident reports, daily activity reports, legal importance, and best practices.

08

Ethics and Professional Conduct

integrity, impartiality, privacy, confidentiality, and professional decisions.

View key takeaway
Key Takeaway

integrity, impartiality, privacy, confidentiality, and professional decisions.

Professional training that feels organized from the first lesson to the final exam.

Self-Paced · Online

Study on your schedule, on any device.

Move through guided lessons at your own pace and pick up exactly where you left off — phone, tablet, or computer.

Interactive

Lessons that actually stick.

Knowledge checks at the end of each module mean you retain the material, not just click through it.

IDFPR-Aligned

Built to the Illinois 20-hour standard.

Covers exactly what Illinois requires for basic security training, so your hours count toward your PERC path.

Final Exam + Certificate

Finish with proof you can show an employer.

Pass the 70% final exam and earn a Guardian Shield Academy Certificate of Completion.

Real Support

A real academy behind you.

Questions before or during the course? Reach the academy directly through the contact page.

Built to feel serious, organized, and easy to follow.

Students should not have to guess where to begin, what to study next, or how the final exam fits into completion. This page sets the expectation, then the course platform carries them through the lesson path.

Success Highlight

Students learn what the security officer role actually requires before stepping into the field.

Success Highlight

The course emphasizes legal limits, observation, communication, reports, emergencies, access control, and ethics.

Success Highlight

Lesson quizzes and progress controls help students move in order instead of skipping the training path.

What students ask before they enroll.

Does this satisfy the Illinois PERC requirement?

View answer

Yes. This is the IDFPR-approved 20-hour basic security training. After you complete it, you apply for your PERC card through IDFPR — our Resources page walks through the steps.

How long do I have to finish?

View answer

It is fully self-paced. You move through the 21 lessons on your own schedule, and your progress is saved as you go.

What score do I need to pass?

View answer

You need 70% on the comprehensive final exam, and the lessons and knowledge checks are built to prepare you for it.

Do I get a certificate?

View answer

Yes. As soon as you pass the final exam, you receive a Guardian Shield Academy Certificate of Completion.

Is the whole course online?

View answer

Yes. The 20-hour basic security course is completed entirely online. The armed 28-hour path is the one that adds a required in-person range session.

Enroll in the 20-hour basic security course today.

Pay once to start the online course, move through the lessons in order, complete the knowledge checks, and finish with the final exam and certificate completion path.

$55 One-time online enrollment

Includes the full 20-hour online course, interactive activities, lesson quizzes, final exam, progress tracking, and certificate completion path.

Enroll Now

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This course is built for students who want a confident first step.

Good Match

Students starting the security path for the first time.

Good Match

Students who need a stronger foundation before moving into armed security training.

Good Match

Students who want a more organized course structure instead of piecing the process together alone.

Ask before enrolling in the wrong training path.

This course is the best starting point for students who need a clear security foundation before considering more advanced armed security training.