If you're searching for a security guard school in Queens, you've probably noticed the results aren't very helpful. Most are directory listings padded with neighborhood names, or generic pages that repeat the same NYS course requirements without telling you how to actually pick a school. Meanwhile you're the one trying to figure out total cost, how long licensing takes, and whether a program is even legitimate before you hand over money.
This guide skips the padding. It walks through the three courses New York State requires, five things to verify before you enroll anywhere, and where a Brooklyn-based, DCJS-approved school like Star Security Training fits into the picture for Queens residents — commute included, no false claims about a Queens address.
Key Takeaways
- A security guard school doesn't need a Queens address to serve Queens residents — DCJS approval, not zip code, determines whether your course counts toward your NYS license.
- Every guard needs three courses in sequence: the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment, the 16-Hour On-the-Job (within 90 days of starting work), and an 8-Hour Annual In-Service every 12 months after that.
- Always confirm a school's DCJS approval on the state's official list before paying for any class.
- Star Security Training is a DCJS and Department of Labor approved school based in Brooklyn, a short trip from most Queens neighborhoods, with in-person and online options.
Why "Best Security Guard School in Queens" Isn't About the Address
Here's the thing most search results won't tell you: New York State doesn't care which borough your classroom sits in. It cares whether the school is approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). A DCJS-approved 8-hour or 16-hour course completed in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or online counts exactly the same toward your license as one completed in Jamaica or Astoria. There's no separate "Queens track" for security guard licensing.
That means the real question isn't "which school is physically in Queens," it's "which school is approved, affordable, and actually schedules classes around a working person's life." A school with a flashy Queens-sounding name but no DCJS approval on file is worse than useless — it can cost you weeks of wasted time if the state doesn't recognize your certificate.
So this guide is built around what actually separates a solid training provider from a diploma mill: verified approval status, transparent pricing, realistic scheduling, and whether the school helps you line up the next required course or a job afterward. Later on, we'll look at Star Security Training, a Brooklyn-based school that's a short, direct trip from many Queens neighborhoods, as one example of how to apply this checklist. The goal here isn't to convince you a school has an address it doesn't — it's to give you the tools to vet any school honestly, including this one.
The 3 Courses Every NYS Security Guard Needs (In Order)
Before you compare a single school, it helps to know exactly what the state requires. There are three mandatory courses, and they happen in a specific order — none of them is optional, and none can be skipped or substituted.
1. 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Training Course
This is the first step for anyone who wants to work as a security guard in New York. State law requires every prospective guard to complete this 8-hour course before applying to the Department of State for a Security Guard Registration Card. You can't legally work as a guard, or apply for your registration card, until this course is finished.
2. 16-Hour On-the-Job Training Course
Once you're hired, the clock starts on your second requirement. The 16-Hour On-the-Job Training Course must be completed within 90 days of your first day of employment as a security guard. It's designed to build on the pre-assignment basics with more practical, job-specific training. Employers and schools both track this deadline closely, since missing it can put your registration at risk.
3. 8-Hour Annual In-Service Course
Licensing isn't a one-time event. An 8-hour Annual In-Service course is required within 12 calendar months of finishing your 16-hour course, and then every 12 months after that for as long as you hold an active license. Think of it as the ongoing maintenance requirement — skip it, and your registration lapses.
Here's the sequence at a glance:
| Course | When It's Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8-Hour Pre-Assignment | Before applying for your NYS Security Guard Registration Card | Basic entry-level training |
| 16-Hour On-the-Job Training | Within 90 days of starting work as a guard | Job-specific, hands-on training |
| 8-Hour Annual In-Service | Within 12 months of finishing the 16-hour course, then yearly | Keeps your license active |
5 Things to Verify Before You Enroll Anywhere
Once you understand the three-course path, the next job is vetting schools. Here's what actually matters, whether you're looking at a school in Queens, Brooklyn, or fully online.
Is the school DCJS-approved?
This is non-negotiable. Before paying anyone, check the state's list of DCJS-approved security guard training schools. If a school isn't on it, the state may not accept the course toward your license, no matter how professional the classroom looks.
What's the real total cost, including renewal?
Don't just ask about the 8-hour course price. Ask what the 16-hour course costs, and factor in the annual renewal course you'll need every year after that. Pricing at any school, including course fees quoted online, is subject to change, so confirm current numbers directly with the school before you budget around them.
How long until you can legally start working?
Your timeline depends on more than just class availability. After your 8-hour course, you'll still need to go through fingerprinting and a background check with NYS DOS before your registration card is issued — that turnaround is outside any school's control, so build in some buffer.
In-person, online, or both?
If you're working another job or juggling family responsibilities, online sections that satisfy NYS requirements can be the difference between finishing on time and falling behind. Ask specifically whether the online option covers the full course, not just supplemental material.
Does the school help after class ends?
Some schools have recruiting relationships with local security firms and can point you toward job openings after you're certified. That's worth asking about — just be cautious of any school that promises guaranteed job placement. No legitimate training provider can guarantee employment; the best they can offer is connections and a real head start.
Why Queens Residents Choose Star Security Training
Star Security Training is based at 1891 Fulton Street in Brooklyn — not in Queens, and it's worth saying that plainly rather than letting a reader find out after enrolling. What it does offer is a training center that's a short, direct trip from many Queens neighborhoods, plus a track record that holds up under scrutiny.
A short, direct commute from most Queens neighborhoods
Depending on where you live in Queens, the Fulton Street location in Brooklyn is a manageable commute by car or transit — closer for many residents than schools that advertise a Queens address but sit far out in the borough.
DCJS and Department of Labor approved
Star Security Training has operated its Brooklyn training center since 2009 and has trained a large number of students over that time. It's approved by both DCJS and the NYS Department of Labor, and it's an approved provider for NYC Workforce1 vouchers — useful if you qualify for that funding and want to offset training costs.
In-person classes and online options
The school offers both in-person and online courses to meet New York State requirements, which matters if your work schedule doesn't leave room for daytime classes every week. It also maintains recruiting relationships with NYC security firms, though — as with any school — that's a resource for job leads, not a guarantee of employment.
If you're weighing a Brooklyn-based option against something closer to home, the next step is simple: check the class schedule and confirm the details that matter to you.
View the current class schedule at Star Security Training or call to confirm DCJS approval before you commit.
Course Schedule and Cost at Star Security Training
For planning purposes, here's what the two entry-level courses look like at Star Security Training. The 8-Hour Pre-Assignment course runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM — a schedule built to work around a typical work week rather than forcing everyone into a single weekday slot.
The 16-Hour On-the-Job Training course follows as a two-day class held Thursday and Friday. Since this course is required within 90 days of starting employment, most students take it soon after they're hired, once an employer has confirmed a start date.
A few practical notes: pricing and schedules are subject to change, so confirm current details directly with the school before you plan around them. Also keep in mind that fingerprinting and the background check required for your Security Guard Registration Card are handled separately through NYS DOS, not through the training school itself. That step has its own processing timeline, so factor it into how quickly you can actually start working.
Armed Guard Training: What Comes After Your Unarmed License
Some guards eventually want to move into armed positions, which requires additional training beyond the standard unarmed license path. The 47-Hour Firearms Training Course is the first step toward a special armed guard registration card.
This course isn't open to just anyone who wants it. To enroll, you need a valid pistol license and a valid NYS security guard registration card already in hand — both are prerequisites, not optional paperwork you can sort out later. If you're not sure whether you meet these requirements, that's a question for NYS DOS or DCJS directly, not something a training school can determine on your behalf.
Ready to Start Your Security Guard Training?
Choosing a school doesn't have to be complicated once you know what to check: confirm DCJS approval on the official state list, get the real total cost including the annual renewal course, and decide whether in-person, online, or a mix fits your schedule better.
If you're in Queens and weighing your options, Star Security Training's Brooklyn location, DCJS and Department of Labor approval, and mix of in-person and online courses are worth a look. Check the class schedule or contact the school with any questions about enrollment.
For questions about your personal eligibility — background check outcomes, prior convictions, or registration status — those go to NYS DOS or DCJS directly. A training school can teach the required courses, but only the state can determine who qualifies for a license.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get a security guard license in NYC?
The fastest path is completing your 8-Hour Pre-Assignment course, then applying to NYS DOS for your registration card while fingerprinting and the background check process. Once you're hired, you have 90 days to complete the 16-Hour On-the-Job course. Actual timing depends on class availability and how quickly the state processes your background check, which is outside any school's control.
Do I have to take the 8-hour and 16-hour courses at the same school?
No. New York State doesn't require you to complete both courses at the same training provider. What matters is that each course is taken through a DCJS-approved school. Many people take the 8-hour course before applying for their license, then take the 16-hour course wherever it's convenient once they've started a job — sometimes at a different school entirely.
Is online security guard training accepted by New York State?
Yes, DCJS-approved online courses can satisfy New York State's security guard training requirements. Not every school offers a fully online option for every course, so ask specifically which courses are available online versus in-person before you enroll. This matters most for people balancing another job or limited transportation.
How do I check if a security guard school is DCJS-approved?
Check the official DCJS list of approved security guard training schools before paying for any course. If a school isn't listed, don't assume it's an oversight — confirm directly with the school and, if needed, with DCJS itself. This single check can save you from a course the state won't recognize.
Does Star Security Training have a location in Queens?
No. Star Security Training's physical location is at 1891 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY — it does not have a campus in Queens. Many Queens residents still choose the school because it's a short, direct commute from several Queens neighborhoods, and because it offers online course options for those who'd rather not commute at all.
Can I use a Workforce1 voucher to pay for security guard training?
Star Security Training is approved for NYC Workforce1 vouchers, which can help offset training costs for eligible individuals. Eligibility and voucher amounts are determined by the Workforce1 program, not the school, so confirm your qualification status through Workforce1 directly before assuming a voucher will cover your course.
What do I need to bring on the first day of class?
Requirements can vary slightly by school, but you should expect to bring a valid government-issued photo ID at minimum. Fingerprinting and background check paperwork for your Security Guard Registration Card are handled through NYS DOS as a separate step, not typically inside the classroom itself. Confirm specific document requirements with your chosen school before your first class date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get a security guard license in NYC?
The fastest path is completing your 8-Hour Pre-Assignment course, then applying to NYS DOS for your registration card while fingerprinting and the background check process. Once you're hired, you have 90 days to complete the 16-Hour On-the-Job course. Actual timing depends on class availability and how quickly the state processes your background check, which is outside any school's control.
Do I have to take the 8-hour and 16-hour courses at the same school?
No. New York State doesn't require you to complete both courses at the same training provider. What matters is that each course is taken through a DCJS-approved school. Many people take the 8-hour course before applying for their license, then take the 16-hour course wherever it's convenient once they've started a job — sometimes at a different school entirely.
Is online security guard training accepted by New York State?
Yes, DCJS-approved online courses can satisfy New York State's security guard training requirements. Not every school offers a fully online option for every course, so ask specifically which courses are available online versus in-person before you enroll. This matters most for people balancing another job or limited transportation.
How do I check if a security guard school is DCJS-approved?
Check the official DCJS list of approved security guard training schools before paying for any course. If a school isn't listed, don't assume it's an oversight — confirm directly with the school and, if needed, with DCJS itself. This single check can save you from a course the state won't recognize.
Does Star Security Training have a location in Queens?
No. Star Security Training's physical location is at 1891 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY — it does not have a campus in Queens. Many Queens residents still choose the school because it's a short, direct commute from several Queens neighborhoods, and because it offers online course options for those who'd rather not commute at all.
Can I use a Workforce1 voucher to pay for security guard training?
Star Security Training is approved for NYC Workforce1 vouchers, which can help offset training costs for eligible individuals. Eligibility and voucher amounts are determined by the Workforce1 program, not the school, so confirm your qualification status through Workforce1 directly before assuming a voucher will cover your course.
What do I need to bring on the first day of class?
Requirements can vary slightly by school, but you should expect to bring a valid government-issued photo ID at minimum. Fingerprinting and background check paperwork for your Security Guard Registration Card are handled through NYS DOS as a separate step, not typically inside the classroom itself. Confirm specific document requirements with your chosen school before your first class date.