SECURITY INDUSTRY
How To Become a Security Officer
Application of Security Officer License
In order to become a security officer in Singapore, you will need to pass the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department (PLRD) screening to get a security officer license.
You can apply for a security officer license through GoBusiness Licensing through:
GoBusiness website or following our step-by-step guide.
For more information, please refer to the SPF website:
https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Security-Officer-Licence
Cost: $16
Documents needed:
Duration:
It will take about 14 working days from the receipt of the application, processing fee and the necessary supporting documents, if required.
You will be notified on the outcome of the application via email, sms or a letter to your residential address. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness to view your application status.
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Certificate of Service/Service Transcript (if any)
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Workforce Skills Qualification certificates of the courses that you have completed (if any)
For Singapore Citizen or
Singapore Permanent Resident
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Malaysian Identity Card
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Malaysian Passport
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Work Pass card
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Certificate of Non-Criminal Conviction (CNCC) also known as Certificate of Good Conduct issued within a 3-month period
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Workforce Skills Qualification certificates of the courses that you have completed (if any)
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Malaysian Identity Card
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Malaysian Passport
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Work Pass card
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Certificate of Non-Criminal Conviction (CNCC) also known as Certificate of Good Conduct issued within a 3-month period
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Workforce Skills Qualification certificates of any courses completed
For Malaysian Work Permit Holders
Complete Basic Licensing Unit (BLU) Courses
You can also register and complete the BLU Courses at Etann Consultants while waiting for your PLRD Application Results.
The 3 courses for the BLU are compulsory to complete before applying for a Security ID.
1. Guard & Patrol AND Access Control Management - Provide Guard and Patrol Services & Operate Basic Security Equipment (PGPS&OBSE)
2. Incident Response - Handle Security Incidents and Services (HSIS)
3. Threat Observations - Recognize Terrorist Threat (RTT)
With effect from 01 July 2023, all Security Officers are required to complete “Recognise Terrorist Threats” training before they can be deployed at any site.
COURSE FEES are as listed below
Course Fee Funding available includes:
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SkillsFuture Credit
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Eligible Singapore Citizens can use their SkillsFuture Credit to offset course fee payable after funding
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UTAP
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NTUC Members can enjoy up to 50% funding (capped at $250 per year) under Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
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Find out more: NTUC UTAP
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PSEA
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Eligible Singapore Citizens can use their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) funds to offset course fee payable after funding* (Singaporeans below 30 years old)
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To find out more about the courses at Etann, click here.
To register for the courses, click here.
Upon completion of the courses
You can follow these steps to download and print your certificate: click here.
Course | Full Course Fee | For Singapore PR | For Singaporeans below 40 Years old | For Singaporeans above 40 years old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Provide Guard and Patrol Services & Operate Basic Security Equipment | $395 | $197.50 | $197.50 | $118.5 |
Handle Security Incidents and Services | $320 | $160 | $162.50 | $96 |
Recognize Terrorist Threat | $380 | $190 | $190 | $114 |
Apply for Security ID
After your Security Officer Application has been approved and upon completing the 3 BLU Courses, you can now apply for the Security ID.
You can visit the Union of Security Employees (USE) Customer Service Centre located at:
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE
200 Jalan Sultan
#03-24 Textile Centre
Singapore 199018
Costs: $22.50
Validity:
For Singapore Citizen and Singapore Permanent Resident - 5 years
For Malaysian Citizen - Tied to validity of the work permit or employment pass.
Additional information for Foreigners:
Foreigners would need a valid work permit and a Certificate of Non-Criminal Conviction (CNCC) also known as Certification of Clearance (COC).
For more information, visit: https://eservices.police.gov.sg/content/policehubhome/homepage/certificate-of-clearance-hub.html
For renewal of Security ID
You should receive the notification for renewal about 2 - 3 months before the expiry.
Upon approval of the renewal application and payment of the prescribed fees, the PLRD will send a letter of the application outcome by post to your registered mailing address.
For more information, please refer to the SPF website here:
https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Security-Officer-Licence
PWM for Security Officers
What is PWM?
The PWM is a five-level career progression model. It features:
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Training requirements that tap on the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications for Security (Security WSQ). This ensures that security officers are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their jobs.
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Progressive wages set for each level. This ensures that security officers are paid wages that correspond with their skills and productivity
Who is eligible?
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) requirements cover all Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) employed by licensed security agencies.
Employers are encouraged to adopt the PWM’s principles for their foreign and in-house officers, upgrade their skills and implement productivity-based wage progression pathways.
Following the government’s approval of the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC)’s recommendation in November 2021,
the base salary for security employees in Singapore will be progressively improved for a period of six years, starting from 2023.
Job level | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Security Officer | ≥ $1,400 | ≥ $1,442 | ≥ $1,650 | ≥ $2,650 | ≥ $2,870 | ≥ $3,090 | ≥ $3,310 | ≥ $3,530 |
Senior Security Officer | ≥ $1,585 | ≥ $1,633 | ≥ $1,830 | ≥ $2,950 | ≥ $3,170 | ≥ $3,390 | ≥ $3,610 | ≥ $3,830 |
Security Supervisor | ≥ $1,785 | ≥ $1,839 | ≥ $2,040 | ≥ $3,250 | ≥ $3,470 | ≥ $3,690 | ≥ $3,910 | ≥ $4,130 |
Senior Security Supervisor | ≥ $1,985 | ≥ $2,045 | ≥ $2,240 | ≥ $3,550 | ≥ $3,770 | ≥ $3,990 | ≥ $4,210 | ≥ $4,430 |
The 5 Level Career Progression in Security industry
New Applicant
2 Basic Licensing Units + “Recognise Terrorist Threats” (from 1 Jan 2020 onwards)
SECURITY OFFICER
Duties:
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Screening
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Patrolling and guarding
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Access and egress control
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Incident response
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Acting as a bodyguard or bouncer
SENIOR SECURITY OFFICER
Duties:
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Operate security and safety systems
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Regulate traffic (Road Traffic Act)
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Monitor security or fire command centre
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Assist ministries, statutory boards or government departments in law enforcement duties
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Key press management
Requirements: At least 6 months as a security officer + 2 certificate modules
SECURITY SUPERVISOR
Duties:
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In charge of security or fire command centre with 3 or fewer personnel
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Incident management and reporting
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Direct supervision
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Execute evacuation plans and exercises
Requirements: At least 1 year as a senior security officer + 1 Advanced Licensing Unit + 2 advanced modules
SENIOR SECURITY SUPERVISOR
Duties:
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In charge of security or fire command centre with more than 3 personnel
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Conduct security audits and risk assessment
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General supervision
Requirements: At least 1 year 6 months as a security supervisor + 4 advanced modules (Full advanced certificate)
CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER
Duties:
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Supervision management
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Form and lead security watch groups
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Security and contingency planning for major or large events
Requirements: At least 2 years as a senior security supervisor + 3 diploma modules
For more information, visit MOM website:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/progressive-wage-model/security-sector