LEVEL 3 COMMISSIONED Security in Texas
Get commissioned to carry. The Level 3 Commissioned Security Officer course is Texas DPS-mandated training for licensed security professionals who want to carry a firearm on duty. Complete your coursework online from anywhere in Texas, then finish hands-on tactics and live-fire qualification with us in Houston or your local training facility.
Purchasing our In-Person Class in Houston, Texas will include your Range Fees.
We don't just prep you for the exam — we prepare you for the street.
Texas DPS Licensing Path
How to Get Your Level 3 Texas Security Guard License
Complete In-Person Requirements
Located in Houston or the surrounding area? We are your designated Private Security Academy — please contact us to schedule your session. (This portion is included with your in-person class in Houston, TX.)
If you're outside the Houston area, connect with your local Private Security Academy to complete the in-person self-defense and firearms training component.
Psychological Evaluation (MMPI)
You'll need to meet with a licensed psychiatrist to complete your MMPI. Choose one of the following options:
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Online: Sugar Land Psychological Associates
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In-person: Dr. Daniel Sanders
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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.
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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.
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Enrollment / Eligibility Requirements
01. You are 18 years or older
02. Legal presence / citizenship or immigration documentation (REAL ID, passport, birth certificate, etc.)
03. No disqualifying criminal history — must pass a fingerprint-based FBI / DPS background check
04. No felony convictions or certain misdemeanor convictions within a set look-back period
What's Covered in the Level 3 Curriculum
Our commissioned security officer training meets and exceeds all state-mandated guidelines, including the latest Texas regulatory requirements for formal self-defense instruction.
Topics include:
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Texas rules and occupations codes governing commissioned security officers
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Arrest authority, detentions, and private citizen limitations
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Texas laws on the use of force and deadly force
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Pocket card regulations, licensing procedures, and standards of conduct
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Weaponless defensive tactics and suspect compliance techniques
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Handcuffing, baton, and intermediate weapon fundamentals
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Handgun safety, nomenclature, maintenance, and holster retention
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Live-fire marksmanship preparation and range qualification
The Stay Ready Approach to Armed Guard Training
A Different Kind of Armed Guard Training
Many security academies teach armed guard training with an old-school, aggressive mentality. Stay Ready Training Academy rejects that approach. Our founder brings 24 years of industry experience as a Navy veteran, a police officer of over 13 years, and a federal security officer.
We create a welcoming classroom where you can master complex firearms and legal skills — without sugarcoating the real dangers of the security profession. Our scenario-based training prepares you for how a volatile encounter actually unfolds on a dark shift in Houston, not just what the textbook says.
Logic Over Emotion: De-Escalation as a Core Skill
An armed security commission isn't an ego trip. We train students to operate on logic and reason, not emotion. Most hostile suspects or trespassers are acting on emotion — meeting that with an aggressive response only escalates the situation and increases the risk of a physical or lethal encounter.
Our curriculum builds quiet, unshakeable confidence and teaches you to de-escalate emotional individuals calmly and assertively. The goal: win the interaction with your mind and your words, keeping your firearm strictly a last-resort defensive tool.
Lifelong Mentorship After Certification
Completing your Level 3 commission with Stay Ready Training Academy means gaining a lifelong professional mentor. Real-world security challenges don't end when you get your certificate, so we maintain an open-door policy — current and former students can reach out to our lead instructor anytime with questions about field scenarios, ethical dilemmas, or career growth.
Level 3 FAQ's for Security Guard Training in Texas
1. Do I need to already have a Level 2 license before taking Level 3?
Level 3 is for licensed security professionals who want to become commissioned to carry a firearm on duty. Check with our team before enrolling if you haven't completed Level 2 yet, so we can confirm the right path for you.
2. What does the in-person portion of Level 3 involve, and is it included in the price?
The in-person portion covers hands-on self-defense tactics, handgun/holster fundamentals, and live-fire range qualification. If you take our in-person class in Houston, range fees are included in the $199.99 price.
3. What is the MMPI, and why do I need it?
The MMPI is a required psychological evaluation completed with a licensed psychiatrist as part of the in-person requirements for commissioning. You can complete it online through Sugar Land Psychological Associates or in-person with Dr. Daniel Sanders.
4. How long does the whole Level 3 process take, including range and licensing?
Level 3 training requires a minimum of 45 hours of coursework, plus the in-person self-defense/range component and MMPI evaluation. After you apply and submit fingerprints, DPS typically takes 2-4 weeks to process and mail your license.
5. Can I complete Level 3 if I don't live in the Houston area?
Yes. You can complete the online coursework from anywhere in Texas, then finish the in-person self-defense and firearms component with your local Private Security Academy if you're outside the Houston area.
