Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB)

Applicants must bring a completed application with the original signature of an authorized company representative (meaning you must be hired by a security company) to the Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB) for initial screening. *If the application has been altered in any way, by using white-out, or if it is scratched out with pen or pencil, or even a blank application, it will not be accepted. Along with the application bring in at least one form of a valid picture I.D., such as a driver’s license or current employment identification.

Applicants must also submit the appropriate affidavit form indicating the applicants past employment, residence(s) and arrest history. Applicants with an arrest history must provide a copy of the final court disposition for any charge. The affidavit must be notarized by a notary public of the applicants’ choice. These documents cannot be dated more than thirty (30) days of the application process.

Fees required for licensing must be paid at the SOMB. Payments must be in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or certified check payable to the D.C. Treasurer. No cash or personal checks accepted.

Effective January 1, 2003, the fees are as follows:

• Private Detective Agency/Private Investigator License -  $206
• Private Detective Agency/Private Investigator Renewals - $206
• Firearms Instructor License - $206
• Firearm Instructor Renewals - $206
• All New Applicants (Security & Special Police Officers) - $54
• Special Police Officers Only - $54
• All Special Police Officers Annual Renewal - $54
• Security Officers Renewal - $19
• All Transfers - $3
• Replacement of lost, stolen, etc. licenses - $3
• Name change - $3
• Late renewal fee for Special Police Officers ($50 + $54) $104
• Late renewal fee for Security Officers ($50 + $19)   $69

Note: All fees are non-refundable

Fingerprinting for MPD and FBI criminal checks are required for certification as a security officer or special police officer. Fingerprinting will be performed and processed at the SOMB.

Applicants are required to submit medical documentation certifying that he or she is physically and mentally capable of performing security related functions. Applicants may respond to the physician of their choice for examination. The original signature of the doctor and the date must appear on the physical. Applicants being treated by a private physician for an existing medical conditionmust also submit a doctor’s statement from that physician, which indicated the condition will not prohibit the applicant from performing security related functions. Drug screening results must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the date of the application process.

A drug screening from a certified laboratory must also accompany the application(s). The applicant must be tested and screened at the levels for drugs that are outlined on the Metropolitan Police Department’s Drug Screening Standards Form. Applicants who test POSITIVE for any drugs must submit medical documentation from the prescribing physician supporting the positive reading. The statement must be on letterhead from the attending physician’s office and have the original signature of the doctor. Physical exams must be completed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the application process.

Applicants must submit two (2) color photos for each application submitted. Photos should be 1’ X 1 ½ in size and must have been taken within the past three months.

Applicants must submit a photocopy of their birth certificate from the Vital Statistics Office from their state, not the hospital birth certificate. Original birth certificates submitted will not be returned. A photocopy of any legal documentation supporting a name change, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or adoption papers must be submitted with the application. If the applicant is not a citizen of the United States, proof of their immigration status must be submitted for certification as a security Officer. The original document should be shown, but a copy needs to be submitted for the file. (Example: Resident Alien Card (Green Card), Employment Authorization or I-94 Departure Record.

An applicant who submits an application for a commission as a Special Police Officer must also submit a photocopy of their DD-214 indicating the type of separation from that branch of the military.

Once an applicant has completed all documents, the same authorized person that signed the application must review the complete package for accuracy and affix his/her signature somewhere on each document.

No paperwork will be accepted unless the required signature is on each document.

Upon completion of the above requirements, applicants must report to the SOMB for the final stage of processing. A background investigation will be conducted on each applicant to include local and FBI criminal checks. Background investigations require ten (10) to fourteen (14) days to complete. Additionally, security officer applicants will be required to take a test based on elements outlined in DCMR Title 17.

Under current legislation, Security Officers and Special Police Officers are required to renew their licenses annually.  At this time, when a Security Officer responds for renewal, they must present a completed and notarized affidavit, their old licenses, the applicable fee ($19) and be in uniform. Special Police Officers who are renewing must present a notarized affidavit, urinalysis drug screening certificate, their expiring license, range certification (if armed) and  the applicable fee ($54).

NOTE:  A three-dollar ($3.00) service fee is required for lost, stolen, replacement and transferring of all Security Officers licenses and Special Police Officer Commissions. A police report must be filed in the jurisdiction of occurrence of all licenses stolen and/or lost. The report numbers must be submitted to the SOMB along with the reporting officer’s name and badge number.
   
A fine of $50 will be charged for all late renewals. A license is considered late if it is one day or more after the expiration date. There is no grace period.  All payments should be made payable to the D.C. Superior Court Clerk.

All Special Police Officers, Security Officers and Private Detective Agency Owners are required to have knowledge of the District of Columbia Municipal regulations Title 6A, Chapter 11 and Title 17 Chapter 20 and 21. These regulations can be purchased at the following location:

District of Columbia Government
Office of Documents
441 4th Street N.W. Suite 520
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 727-5090

Contact Us

2000 14th Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
TEL: (202) 671-0500
FAX: (202) 673-7418
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 am - 2 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 4 pm.

Hours of Operation

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 am - 2 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 4 pm.
Fridays: CLOSED to the General Public (appointment only)