If you're getting ready to start a security guard job in New York, you've probably run into two course names: the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course and the 16-Hour On-the-Job Training (OJT) Course. It's easy to assume you need both finished before your first shift — and that confusion has cost people job offers when they thought they had more time (or less) than they actually did.
Here's the direct answer: no, you do not need the 16-Hour OJT before you start working. Only the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course has to be done first. But that's not the whole story, and the details matter if you want to avoid missing a legal deadline or running into an employer who has their own rules. Below, we'll walk through exactly what's required, when, and why some guards still complete both courses before their first day anyway.
Key Takeaways
- No — New York State does not require the 16-Hour OJT before you start working; only the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course must be done first.
- The 16-Hour OJT must be completed within 90 days of starting employment as a security guard.
- You cannot take the 16-Hour OJT before the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course — the state requires that order.
- Both courses are typically one-time requirements, though a new employer can ask you to retake them.
- Some employers prefer guards finish the 16-Hour OJT before starting, even though the state doesn't require it — check with your specific employer.
- This 8-hour-before/16-hour-within-90-days structure applies to New York State specifically, not other states.
Short Answer: No, You Don't Need the 16-Hour OJT Before Your First Shift
Under New York's Security Guard Act of 1992, the training requirements are split into two distinct stages. The 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Training Course must be completed before you're allowed to work as a security guard. The 16-Hour On-the-Job Training Course, on the other hand, is required — but you have up to 90 days from your start date to complete it, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
That distinction exists for a practical reason. The state designed the 16-Hour OJT to build on real job experience — it covers duties and scenarios specific to the post you're assigned to, which is easier to absorb once you've actually started working. As DCJS explains, the course "is designed to be taken after an individual is employed as a security guard since the training is specific to the individual's job duties and assignments," per DCJS's own FAQ page.
One important caveat: this 8-before/16-within-90-days structure is a New York State rule. If you've seen different timelines mentioned for other states, that's because training requirements — even when they use similar hour counts — vary by state licensing agency. Don't assume the same rules apply if you're getting licensed somewhere else.
What's Actually Required Before You Can Start Working
The only training you legally need in hand before your first shift is the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course. Once you've completed it and your employer fills out the Notice of Employment section on your application, you can begin working while your license application is still processing, according to Star Security Training's guide to getting licensed in NYS.
That's the full legal minimum. Everything else — including the 16-Hour OJT — happens on a separate clock that starts ticking once you're employed, not before.
The 90-Day Window for the 16-Hour OJT Explained
Once you start your job, the clock starts on a 90-day countdown to finish the 16-Hour OJT. This isn't a soft suggestion — it's a hard requirement tied to your ability to keep working legally. The DCJS training FAQ confirms the course "must be completed within 90 days of being employed as a security guard."
Missing that window puts your employment status at risk, since the requirement doesn't go away — it just becomes overdue. Employers and training providers generally recommend scheduling the 16-Hour OJT as soon as possible after starting, rather than waiting until the deadline creeps up.
Why Some Employers Still Want It Done Upfront (Even Though the State Doesn't Require It)
The 90-day window is a state minimum, not a ceiling. Some employers prefer their guards walk in fully trained, especially for posts with more responsibility or liability. At least one New York training provider notes that certain companies "prefer guards to have completed the 16-Hour OJT class prior to employment," even though state law doesn't demand it, according to Advanced Training Center LI.
That means the legal minimum and what actually gets you hired aren't always the same thing. If a job posting or hiring manager mentions the 16-Hour OJT as a prerequisite, that's the employer's own policy layered on top of the state requirement — not a misunderstanding of the law.
8-Hour vs. 16-Hour: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course | 16-Hour On-the-Job Training (OJT) | |
|---|---|---|
| When it's required | Before you start working | Within 90 days of starting |
| Can you take it after starting work? | No | Yes (must be within 90 days) |
| Can you take it before the other course? | Must be taken first | Cannot be taken before the 8-Hour course |
| Is it repeated for each employer? | Generally one-time, unless a new employer requires it | Generally one-time, unless a new employer requires it |
| Employer flexibility | None — state-mandated before work | Some employers may still require it upfront |
Next Step: Avoid the Limbo Between Hire Date and Deadline
If you'd rather not track a 90-day deadline while juggling a new job, Star Security Training's Fast Track package bundles the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment and 16-Hour OJT courses back-to-back. You finish both before your first shift, satisfy any employer that prefers OJT completed upfront, and skip the paperwork reminder altogether. Learn more about the licensing process and course options or reach out to enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to complete the 16-Hour OJT course before I can start working as a security guard in New York?
No. New York State only requires the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course before you begin working. The 16-Hour OJT is still required, but you have up to 90 days after starting your job to complete it. Some individual employers may ask for it upfront as their own policy, but the state itself doesn't mandate that sequence.
What training is actually required before I can begin employment (vs. after)?
Before employment, you need the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course completed and your employer's Notice of Employment section filled out on your application. After you start working, the 16-Hour OJT becomes due within 90 days. Nothing else is required before your first shift under state law, though your specific employer may have additional expectations.
How long after being hired do I have to complete the 16-Hour OJT course?
You have 90 days from your employment start date to complete the 16-Hour OJT, per New York State's DCJS guidelines. This deadline applies regardless of your work schedule or shift assignments, so it's worth scheduling the course early rather than waiting until the window is close to closing.
Can I take the 16-Hour OJT before the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment course?
No. State rules require the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course to be completed first. You cannot enroll in or complete the 16-Hour OJT ahead of it, regardless of your employment status or how soon you plan to start working.
What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline for the 16-Hour OJT?
The requirement doesn't disappear — it becomes overdue, which can affect your ability to continue working legally as a security guard. If you're approaching the deadline, it's best to schedule the course immediately rather than wait, since the training window is fixed by state guidelines rather than negotiable per employer.
Does an employer ever require the 16-Hour OJT before hiring, even though the state doesn't?
Yes, some employers do. While New York State only mandates the 16-Hour OJT within 90 days of employment, individual companies can set stricter internal policies and ask candidates to complete it beforehand. Always check directly with a specific employer about their hiring requirements rather than assuming the state minimum applies.
What topics are covered in the 16-Hour OJT course?
The course is built around the specific duties and assignments tied to your actual security guard post, which is part of why it's designed to happen after you've started working rather than before.
How much does the 16-Hour OJT course cost and how is it scheduled?
Costs and scheduling formats vary by training provider, so it's best to check directly with the school you plan to use for current pricing and course dates.
Is the 16-Hour OJT a one-time requirement or does it need to be repeated for a new employer?
Generally, both the 8-Hour and 16-Hour courses only need to be completed once by an applicant. However, a new employer can require you to retake either course as a condition of hiring, even though the state doesn't mandate a repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to complete the 16-Hour OJT course before I can start working as a security guard in New York?
No. New York State only requires the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course before you begin working. The 16-Hour OJT is still required, but you have up to 90 days after starting your job to complete it. Some individual employers may ask for it upfront as their own policy, but the state itself doesn't mandate that sequence.
What training is actually required before I can begin employment (vs. after)?
Before employment, you need the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course completed and your employer's Notice of Employment section filled out on your application. After you start working, the 16-Hour OJT becomes due within 90 days. Nothing else is required before your first shift under state law, though your specific employer may have additional expectations.
How long after being hired do I have to complete the 16-Hour OJT course?
You have 90 days from your employment start date to complete the 16-Hour OJT, per New York State's DCJS guidelines. This deadline applies regardless of your work schedule or shift assignments, so it's worth scheduling the course early rather than waiting until the window is close to closing.
Can I take the 16-Hour OJT before the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment course?
No. State rules require the 8-Hour Pre-Assignment Course to be completed first. You cannot enroll in or complete the 16-Hour OJT ahead of it, regardless of your employment status or how soon you plan to start working.
What happens if I miss the 90-day deadline for the 16-Hour OJT?
The requirement doesn't disappear — it becomes overdue, which can affect your ability to continue working legally as a security guard. If you're approaching the deadline, it's best to schedule the course immediately rather than wait, since the training window is fixed by state guidelines rather than negotiable per employer.
Does an employer ever require the 16-Hour OJT before hiring, even though the state doesn't?
Yes, some employers do. While New York State only mandates the 16-Hour OJT within 90 days of employment, individual companies can set stricter internal policies and ask candidates to complete it beforehand. Always check directly with a specific employer about their hiring requirements rather than assuming the state minimum applies.
What topics are covered in the 16-Hour OJT course?
The course is built around the specific duties and assignments tied to your actual security guard post, which is part of why it's designed to happen after you've started working rather than before.
How much does the 16-Hour OJT course cost and how is it scheduled?
Costs and scheduling formats vary by training provider, so it's best to check directly with the school you plan to use for current pricing and course dates.
Is the 16-Hour OJT a one-time requirement or does it need to be repeated for a new employer?
Generally, both the 8-Hour and 16-Hour courses only need to be completed once by an applicant. However, a new employer can require you to retake either course as a condition of hiring, even though the state doesn't mandate a repeat.