LEVEL 2 NON-COMMISSIONED Security Training in Texas
Level 2 Non-Commissioned Security Training is the mandatory first step to earning a Texas security guard card and working as an unarmed security professional. Stay Ready Training Academy offers this state-required course in-person at our Houston facility or fully online, anywhere in Texas.
Texas DPS Licensing Path
How to Get Your Level 2 Texas Security Guard License
Apply for Your License & Schedule Fingerprinting
Present your training certificate to a potential employer — once hired, they'll give you their business license number.
Then log into TOPS and complete your application using the TOPS License and Endorsement Application, submitting it along with the applicable fee.
After submitting your application, DPS will email you a link to schedule your fingerprint appointment. Complete this promptly to avoid delays.
2
Wait for Approval from the State of Texas
Once fingerprints are submitted, DPS will process your application and mail your license.
Typically 2-4 weeks. Timelines vary with application volume due to background checks.
3
Enrollment / Eligibility Requirements
01. You are 18 years or older
03. No disqualifying criminal history — must pass a fingerprint-based FBI / DPS background check
02. Legal presence / citizenship or immigration documentation (REAL ID, passport, birth certificate, etc.)
04. No felony convictions or certain misdemeanor convictions within a set look-back period
What You'll Learn in Our Level 2 Security Training Course
This course gives you a complete understanding of your role, your legal boundaries, and the professional standards required to keep yourself and the public safe.
Key training areas include:
-
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) rules, regulations, and state laws governing private security
-
The exact legal limits of your authority, including the laws of arrest and detention for private citizens
-
Professional conduct, ethics, and maintaining a high standard of integrity on the job
-
Note-taking, observational skills, and how to write clear, defensive incident reports that protect you from liability
-
Emergency response protocols, fire prevention, and basic patrol techniques
-
Core conflict resolution and de-escalation strategies to defuse volatile situations calmly
The Stay Ready Difference: Real-World Security Training
Many security schools simply read from a state manual and leave students to figure out the actual job on their own. Stay Ready Training Academy does things differently. Our founder brings over 24 years of high-level industry experience as a Navy veteran, a police officer of more than 13 years, and a federal security officer — and brings that experience directly into your Level 2 Non-Commissioned Security Training.
We integrate real field stories and practical strategies into the state curriculum, and we emphasize the real dangers of the profession so you understand the importance of your role and never become complacent on duty. You'll learn how to handle real shifts, read human behavior, and navigate the daily challenges of the job.
Building Quiet Confidence and Calm Control
Our academy focuses on de-escalation over dominance. We don't teach the aggressive, old-school "tough guy" stereotype. In the field, an angry or hostile individual is almost always operating on emotion — match that energy with an ego-trip, and the situation spirals out of control.
We train you to rely on logic, reason, and unshakeable, quiet confidence. You'll learn how to engage people in a calming, professional way, so your words remain the most powerful tool you carry on duty. This premium approach reduces liability for employers and keeps you safe.
Lifelong Support for Your Security Career
When you complete your Level 2 Non-Commissioned Security Training with us, you join the Stay Ready family. Every present and former student can reach out to our instructors at any time — for a difficult situation on shift, a question about state compliance, or guidance on advancing in the security industry. We support you for the long haul.
Level 2 FAQ's for Security Guard Training in Texas
1. What's the difference between the in-person and online Level 2 course?
Both meet Texas DPS requirements and result in the same certificate. The in-person class is held at our Houston facility, while the online course lets you complete training at your own pace within 30 days of purchase, from anywhere in Texas.
2. Does completing Level 2 training mean I automatically get my security guard license?
No. Completing training gets you a certificate to present to an employer. After you're hired, you'll log into TOPS, submit your license application with the required fee, and complete fingerprinting. DPS then reviews your background check before mailing your license.
3. How long does it take to get my license after applying?
Once your fingerprints are submitted, DPS typically takes 2-4 weeks to process your application, though timelines can vary based on application volume and background check results.
4. Who is eligible to take the Level 2 course and get licensed?
You must be 18 or older, provide proof of legal presence (REAL ID, passport, birth certificate, etc.), and pass an FBI/DPS fingerprint-based background check. Certain felony or misdemeanor convictions within a set look-back period may disqualify you.
5. Do I need to be commissioned or armed to take this course?
No — Level 2 is for non-commissioned, unarmed security roles and is the required first step before pursuing Level 3 (commissioned/armed) training if you choose to advance later.
