Nighthawk Alliance is a veteran-owned, Texas DPS-licensed security academy (License #F31198401) in Fort Worth. We teach the state-required courses for Texas security officers. Level II is fully online, so you can start today and work at your own pace. Level III and continuing education are mostly online, with the hands-on firearms portion done in person at a range in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Range fees are included in your tuition, which many academies charge separately.
Our Texas security officer courses
| Course | For | Format | Price | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Unarmed (non-commissioned) officers | 100% online, self-paced (about 6 hours) | $50 | None (age 18+) |
| Level III | Armed (commissioned) officers | Mostly online, plus scheduled in-person range days (45 hours total) | $200 | Level II |
| Level II + III Combo | New officers who want to work armed | Level II online, then Level III online + range days | $230 (save $20) | None (age 18+) |
| Recertification / CE | Level III and IV renewals | Mostly online, plus an in-person range session you book (6 hours CE) | $65 | Current Level III or IV commission |
| Level IV (PPO) | Personal protection officers | 15 hours | Coming soon | Level III commission |
Range fees included. Course prices include the range fee for every in-person session. Bring your own eye and ear protection, firearm and ammunition, or reserve an equipment rental when you book: eye and ear protection ($5), or a firearm and holster ($150) with any ammunition used in our firearm included. We don’t sell ammunition.
When and where are classes?
- Level II: fully online. Start right after you enroll and finish on your own schedule.
- Level III: do the classroom portion online, then attend one scheduled in-person training day for hands-on skills and the live-fire qualification. Upcoming dates are listed below.
- Recertification / CE: do the coursework online, then book your in-person range session at a time and location that works for you.
Upcoming Level III training days
- Sat, Dec 5, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM — TDSA (Texas Defensive Shooting Academy)
- Sat, Dec 19, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM — TDSA (Texas Defensive Shooting Academy)
- Sat, Jan 16, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM — TDSA (Texas Defensive Shooting Academy)
See all dates and book your spot
Which course do I need?
- You want to work unarmed: take Level II.
- You want to carry a firearm on duty: take the Level II + III Combo. If you already have Level II, take Level III on its own.
- Your Level III or IV license is up for renewal: take Recertification / CE.
- You want to do bodyguard or close-protection work: you’ll need Level IV. Contact us to hear about the next class.
Courses
Level II: unarmed security officer ($50)
Every Texas security officer starts here. It is fully online and self-paced. You learn your legal authority, use of force, report writing and ethics, and you get your certificate as soon as you finish.
Level III: armed security officer ($200)
This is the 45-hour course required to carry a handgun on duty. The classroom portion is online. The live-fire qualification happens on scheduled in-person range days in the DFW area. You need Level II first. The range fee is included in your tuition. The psychological evaluation and DPS fees are paid separately.
Level II + III Combo ($230)
One enrollment takes you from no license to ready for an armed commission. It costs $20 less than booking the two courses separately.
Recertification and continuing education ($65)
Do the coursework online, then book your in-person range session for a time that suits you. The range fee is included. It covers the 6 hours of continuing education that Level III and Level IV license holders need before they renew.
After your course
Our certificate covers the training requirement. The license itself comes from Texas DPS. You apply through the state’s TOPS portal, get fingerprinted and pay the state fees there (see what it costs to get licensed). For each step, read our guide: How to Become a Security Officer in Texas.
In Fort Worth, Arlington or Dallas? See security guard training in Fort Worth & DFW.
Going armed? Before you buy anything, read choosing a duty handgun and holster retention levels explained.
We are a training academy and consulting firm. We do not provide guard, patrol or staffing services, and we do not place graduates in jobs.
Questions?
For class dates or help choosing a course, call 682-285-9899 or send us a message. Need training for your staff instead? See employee security training.