Disqualifications
All security licenses require you to have a fairly clean criminal record.
Having a criminal record may disqualify you from receiving a security license for a period of time. Not all offenses are disqualifying. If you want to know more about the specific list of criminal offenses that are disqualifying then look up the Texas Administrative Code Rule §35.4 Guidelines For Disqualifying Criminal Offenses.
You can usually determine your eligibility by the classification of the conviction:
- Class C misdemeanors are not disqualifying.
- Class B misdemeanor’s typically disqualify for two years from the date of conviction.
- Class A misdemeanors disqualify for 5 years from date of conviction.
- Felonies disqualify for 10 years from conviction date.
NOT ALL convictions are disqualifying. For instance, a first offense, minor Marijuana Possession (less than 2oz) as a Class B misdemeanor would not disqualify. A second offenses Class B would disqualify for 2 years.
Currently, a first offense DWI, Class A misdemeanor would not disqualify. Yet a second offense DWI would then disqualify for 5 years.
Every few years the state reviews these policies and rules so they do change slightly from time to time.
The state will not issue a license to those who are on probation. If you are currently on probation you must successfully complete your probation and meet the above requirements in order to obtain a license.
You cannot have any open warrants for any reason (even something small like an unpaid parking ticket). All warrants must be resolved before the state will issue a license.
If you were recently arrested and/or have criminal charges pending you cannot obtain a license until the charges/case has been resolved.
For those who have served in the military dishonorable or other-than honorable discharges may disqualify you from obtaining a security license.
There are offenses that are PERMANENTLY DISQUALIFYING: Independently of whether the offense is otherwise described or listed above, a conviction for an offense listed in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.12 §3g, or Article 42A.054, or that is a sexually violent offense as defined by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 62.001, or a conviction for burglary of a habitation, is permanently disqualifying subject to the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53.
Possible Disqualifications Not Related to Criminal Background
- If you owe back taxes
- If you owe back Child Support
You must contact the regulating agency and set up a payment plan in order to be in good standing before the State will issue you a license.
If you still have questions or concerns regarding your eligibility please feel free to speak to our staff.
You can call us at 713-689-9428 or you can email us at:
phoenixsecacademy@sbcglobal.net
We will do our best to answer your questions.
You can also contact the Private Security Bureau at 512-424-7293.
If you have questions regarding eligibility you may contact us for verification.
If you know you are not eligible DO NOT TAKE A CLASS, because the State WILL NOT issue a license and we WILL NOT issue a refund for classes completed (intentionally and knowingly) by non-eligible students.
Please Note: Disqualifying Offenses are subject to change as per State Regulations.