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
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.
What You Will Learn
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.
Course Benefits
Professional training that feels organized from the first lesson to the final exam.
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.
Lessons that actually stick.
Knowledge checks at the end of each module mean you retain the material, not just click through it.
Built to the Illinois 20-hour standard.
Covers exactly what Illinois requires for basic security training, so your hours count toward your PERC path.
Finish with proof you can show an employer.
Pass the 70% final exam and earn a Guardian Shield Academy Certificate of Completion.
A real academy behind you.
Questions before or during the course? Reach the academy directly through the contact page.
Professional Training Flow
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.
Students learn what the security officer role actually requires before stepping into the field.
The course emphasizes legal limits, observation, communication, reports, emergencies, access control, and ethics.
Lesson quizzes and progress controls help students move in order instead of skipping the training path.
Questions & Answers
What students ask before they enroll.
Do I need a PERC card before taking the 20-hour basic security course?
View answer
No. You can take the training before your PERC is issued. The 20-hour course is training documentation; the PERC card is a separate IDFPR application process involving state forms, fee requirements, and fingerprint/background processing.
Is the 20-hour basic security course the same thing as a PERC card?
View answer
No. The course does not issue a PERC card. It helps document required basic training, while the Permanent Employee Registration Card is issued by IDFPR after the applicant meets the state application requirements.
When does IDFPR require the 20-hour training to be completed?
View answer
Illinois rules require covered registered employees to complete at least 20 hours of basic training within 30 days after commencing employment. The training can be classroom-based or online Internet-based, but it cannot be on-the-job training.
Can the 20-hour basic security training be completed online?
View answer
Yes. IDFPR rules allow the 20-hour basic training to be completed through classroom-based instruction or online Internet-based instruction, as long as it is not counted as on-the-job training.
What happens after I finish the 20-hour course?
View answer
After completing the lessons and passing the final exam, you receive a completion record/certificate. Keep a copy for your records and provide it to an employer or agency if they request proof of training.
Do fingerprints and background checks happen through this course?
View answer
No. Fingerprints, background checks, state application forms, and PERC approval are handled separately through the IDFPR process or the authorized fingerprint/vendor process. This course focuses on the training requirement.
Can I work armed security after only completing the 20-hour course?
View answer
No. Armed security duties require additional firearm training and the proper IDFPR firearm authorization process. The 20-hour course is the basic security foundation, not permission to work armed.
Enrollment
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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Best Fit
This course is built for students who want a confident first step.
Students starting the security path for the first time.
Students who need a stronger foundation before moving into armed security training.
Students who want a more organized course structure instead of piecing the process together alone.
Need Help Choosing?
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.