How do I register for a course?

Contact us to register and confirm your spot. We will verify any prerequisites, answer questions, and send location/schedule details.

• Payment timing: Due on the first day of training. For multi-day classes, payment is due at the first session.
• Payment options: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, bank payment, or cash.
• What you receive: A receipt and—upon successful completion—your training certificate(s). For Alabama licensing, you will also receive a temporary license tear-off while your card is processed.

What should I bring?

• Government-issued photo ID, notebook, and pen.
• For armed training: duty handgun, sturdy belt/holster, two magazines, eye/ear protection, and ammunition (we’ll confirm round count during registration).
• Closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor range work.

New to gear? Tell us before you buy—we can help you choose safe, compliant equipment.

How the Alabama licensing process works

1. Complete training
   • Basic / Unarmed: 8 hours + written exam (passing score ≥ 70%).
   • Armed add-on: 6 hours (4 classroom + 2 range) + live-fire qualification.
2. Prepare the paper application. Alabama uses a manual packet (no online portal).
3. Submit your packet. We can assemble, notarize, include the fee (see below), and mail via USPS Priority Mail on your behalf.
4. Tear-off temporary license. Use this while your permanent card is processed and mailed.

What must be included in the Alabama packet?

• State-set fee (ASRB): $112 license fee by money order or certified check payable to the Alabama Security Regulatory Board.
• 10-year employment history (include gaps) and 10-year address history.
• Copy of driver’s license or state ID.
• Armed applicants: copy of current county pistol permit.
• Two FD-258 fingerprint cards.
• Two passport-style photos.

Most students choose to reimburse STPA for the $112 money order so we can include it and submit the packet immediately after class.

Range qualification (armed applicants)

• Qualify with the handgun you intend to carry on duty.
• Distances: 3, 7, and 15 yards. Target: FBI “Q” silhouette. Minimum passing score: 24.

Pistol permit requirement: Armed officers must maintain a valid county pistol permit and carry it at all times while performing armed security duties.

License term and renewals

• License term: 2 years. State renewal fee (ASRB): $112.
• If the renewal packet is not received by ASRB before your expiration date, add a $25 late fee or it will not be processed.
• If you submit a “new” application but your ASRB license expired within the last 2 years, it is treated as a renewal and will be returned unless the late fee is included.

Costs & Fees — Alabama

• State-set fees (paid to ASRB): $112 initial or renewal; amendment fee for armed upgrade (set by ASRB; typically $10).
• STPA training fees: Security Officer Basic/Unarmed course; Armed add-on and range qualification — contact us for current pricing and group rates.
• Approximate costs you may incur: passport photos, two FD-258 cards (if done elsewhere), postage if self-submitting.

Getting licensed in Tennessee

Tennessee uses the state’s online CORE portal. Applicants submit their own applications and fees.

• Unarmed initial: 4 hours training + written exam.
• Armed initial: 8 hours classroom + 4 hours live-fire + qualification.
• Fingerprinting: IdentoGO electronic prints (fastest) or ink/cardscan (adds processing time).
• Working while pending: Unarmed may begin after filing requirements are met. Armed may not work armed until the armed card is issued and any required written directive is on file.

Upgrade: Tennessee Unarmed → Armed (step-by-step)

1. Confirm eligibility: Age 21+ and legally able to possess a firearm.
2. Complete the 12-hour Armed Guard course with a certified firearms instructor:
   • 8 hours — legal limitations, safety, handling, maintenance.
   • 4 hours — live-fire training and qualification (minimum score 70%).
3. Submit a new armed application in the state portal with:
   • Armed guard application form.
   • Certificate from your 12-hour course.
   • Driver’s license or state ID.
   • Applicable fees (includes the $15 upgrade).
4. Complete a new background check via Idemia/IdentoGO (separate from your unarmed prints).

Once approved, your armed license replaces your unarmed license, and the expiration resets to 2 years from the armed issue date.

Costs & Fees — Tennessee

• State-set fees (paid to PPS/TDCI): $95 unarmed initial; $130 armed initial; $70 unarmed renewal; $85 armed renewal; $15 upgrade (unarmed → armed).
• STPA training fees: Tennessee Unarmed, Armed, Dallas’s Law, and other PPS-approved classes — contact us for current pricing and group rates.
• Approximate costs you may incur: IdentoGO fingerprinting (~$40), range ammunition, holster/magazines if purchasing, and annual armed re-qualification provider fees.

Security Officer Training

• Alabama Basic / Unarmed (8 hrs): Roles and professionalism; Alabama law basics; detention and report writing; officer safety; emergencies; crowd control; fire prevention; and customer service. Ends with a written exam (≥ 70%).
• Alabama Armed Add-On (4 hrs classroom + 2 hrs range): Firearms safety; use-of-force law; de-escalation; radio procedures; incident reporting; and state-approved live-fire qualification.
• Tennessee Unarmed (4 hrs): PPS-approved fundamentals with written exam. Remote/virtual delivery available.
• Tennessee Armed (12–16 hrs): 8 hrs classroom + 4 hrs live-fire; state qualification; legal and safety blocks.
• Tennessee Dallas’s Law (4 hrs): Required for alcohol-serving venues; safe management and incident handling.
• Tennessee Active Shooter for Schools (8 hrs): Prevention, response options, coordination, and recovery.

NRA Firearms Training

• NRA FIRST Steps Pistol — 3 hrs — $50: Hands-on orientation to a single pistol action type; safety, parts/operation, fundamentals, cleaning, and live-fire.
• NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting — $125: Safety; revolver & semi-auto operation; ammunition; marksmanship; storage; standardized range qualification.
• NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home — 8 hrs — $125: Defensive skills, safe storage, legal block by an attorney/LEO, and scenario planning (~100 rounds).
• NRA FIRST Steps Rifle — 3 hrs — $50: Safety, parts/operation, fundamentals, cleaning, and range time.
• NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting — $125: Bench/prone/sitting/standing/kneeling; safety rules; cleaning; exam; range qualification.
• NRA Range Safety Officer — 9 hrs — $150: Range SOPs, inspections, briefings, emergencies, stoppages/malfunctions; RSO certification track.
• NRA New Shooter Seminar — 45–60 min — $25: Safety, storage, and first-steps guidance for new gun owners.

Defensive & Specialty Training

• Advanced Pistol I: Fundamentals under time, grip/stance refinement, safe draw and reholster, accuracy drills.
• Advanced Pistol II: Defensive marksmanship, movement, use of cover, reloads, malfunctions, low-light concepts.
• Advanced Pistol III: Home-defense planning, decision-making under stress, after-action priorities, documentation, and a legal block taught by an attorney/LEO.
• Advanced Rifle: Zeroing, positional shooting, sling use, transitions, and live-fire assessment.
• Active Shooter / Active Threat Response: Recognition, communication, incident action plans, evacuation/lockdown options, and coordination with responders.
• Situational Awareness & Threat Assessment: Baselines/anomalies, proxemics, pre-attack indicators, and early avoidance strategies.
• Concealed Carry / Personal Protection: Gear selection, safe carry methods, on-body access, home-defense layers, and individual coaching.
• Church & Business Security Training & Consulting: Team roles, policies/SOPs, tabletop exercises, and post-incident recovery planning.

Alabama (ASRB)

• Photos, ink fingerprints (FD-258), notarization, and full packet assembly.
• We can include the $112 money order (you reimburse us) and mail Priority the same day.
• Renewal prep and scheduling for any required training.

Tennessee (PPS)

• Guidance for the state’s CORE application and document preparation.
• IdentoGO fingerprint scheduling (digital) or ink/cardscan instructions.
• Renewal reminders, refresher training, and annual armed re-qualification scheduling.
• Upgrade (unarmed → armed) training and documentation support.

• Pay-per-student — no payroll overhead.
• Records, renewals, and application support handled.
• On-site or remote; flexible scheduling.
• Detailed invoices (potential tax benefits; consult your tax professional).
• Guaranteed measurable skill improvement.