Texas Security License Levels Explained: Level II vs III vs IV

If you are getting started in private security here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the numbering system can be confusing fast. The Texas security license levels (Level II, Level III, and Level IV) each unlock a different kind of work, and they build on one another in a specific order. This guide breaks down what each level means, who it is for, and how the training path fits together so you can pick the right course the first time.

How the Texas security license levels work

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Program regulates who can work as a security officer in the state, and it organizes required training into numbered levels. In plain English, each level is a course you complete (and a corresponding registration you hold) that authorizes a specific scope of work, from unarmed patrol all the way up to armed personal protection.

The levels stack. Generally you complete Level II before Level III, and you hold a commissioned (armed) registration before you move up to Level IV personal protection work [verify current sequence and prerequisites with Texas DPS/TOPS]. There is also a Level I orientation, which is a short introductory module that covers the basics of the industry [verify with Texas DPS/TOPS]. Most people getting hired by a licensed company start their hands-on training at Level II.

For the full step-by-step on applications, fingerprinting, and background requirements, see our pillar guide on how to become a security officer in Texas.

Level II: non-commissioned (unarmed) security officer

Level II is the foundation for the vast majority of security officers in Texas. It is the non-commissioned level, which means unarmed. If you will be working posts where you do not carry a firearm on duty, this is typically the training you need.

• Who it is for: New officers, unarmed guards, and anyone who wants the entry-level credential required to work for a DPS-licensed company.
• What it covers: The role and legal authority of a security officer, use-of-force basics, ethics and professional conduct, field note-taking and reporting, and how to handle common on-post situations.
• What it lets you do: Work as a non-commissioned (unarmed) security officer once you are registered and employed by a licensed company.

This is the level most people begin with. Our Level II security officer training is built to get you compliant and job-ready quickly.

Level III: commissioned (armed) security officer

Level III is the commissioned level, meaning armed. A commissioned officer is authorized to carry a firearm while on duty for a licensed security company. Because the responsibility is higher, the training is more involved and includes firearms instruction and a shooting proficiency component.

• Who it is for: Officers who need to carry a firearm on the job, or who want to qualify for higher-paying armed posts.
• What it covers: Everything in the non-commissioned foundation plus firearms safety, handgun handling and marksmanship, applicable laws on the use of force and deadly force, and range qualification [verify current course hours with Texas DPS/TOPS].
• What it lets you do: Work as a commissioned (armed) security officer once your security commission is issued and you are employed by a licensed company.

In most cases you will complete Level II before moving into Level III [verify prerequisite with Texas DPS/TOPS]. If you already know you want to work armed, doing both together saves time. Explore our Level III commissioned security officer training, or bundle the two with the Level II and III combo course.

Level IV: personal protection officer (PPO)

Level IV is the Personal Protection Officer (PPO) level, sometimes called bodyguard or executive protection training. This authorizes you to provide personal protection services to an individual client. Because a PPO is protecting a person rather than a fixed post, the training emphasizes threat assessment and protective tactics.

• Who it is for: Experienced armed officers who want to move into close protection or executive protection work.
• What it covers: Advanced protective concepts, threat and risk assessment, protective escort and vehicle considerations, and situational decision-making under pressure.
• What it lets you do: Work as a personal protection officer once you hold the required PPO authorization and are employed by a licensed company.

To reach Level IV, you generally must first be a commissioned (Level III) security officer, because personal protection work is armed [verify current PPO prerequisites with Texas DPS/TOPS]. So the ladder typically runs Level II, then Level III, then Level IV.

The training path at a glance

A common progression for a DFW-area officer looks like this:

1. Start with the basics. Complete Level I orientation and Level II non-commissioned training to work unarmed.
2. Add a commission. Complete Level III to carry a firearm on duty. Many students take Level II and III together.
3. Specialize. Once commissioned, complete Level IV for personal protection assignments.
4. Stay current. Keep your registration active with continuing education and renewals through the DPS TOPS portal.

Exact hours, fees, prerequisites, and renewal timelines are set by the state and can change, so always confirm the current requirements through the Texas DPS Private Security Program and your TOPS account [verify with Texas DPS/TOPS]. As a veteran-owned, Texas DPS-licensed training academy in Fort Worth, our job is to teach you the material and get you certified. Hiring and placement are handled by the licensed companies you apply to.

Frequently asked questions

Which Texas security license level do I need?

It depends on the work. For unarmed posts, Level II is usually enough. To carry a firearm on duty, you need Level III (commissioned). For personal protection or executive protection work, you need Level IV on top of your commission. When in doubt, ask the licensed employer what registration the role requires, and confirm specifics with Texas DPS/TOPS.

Can I skip Level II and go straight to Level III?

Generally the levels are designed to build on each other, with Level II serving as the foundation before the armed Level III commission. Many academies teach them back-to-back for that reason, which is why we offer a combined Level II and III option. Confirm the current prerequisite sequence with Texas DPS/TOPS before enrolling.

Is Level IV required for bodyguard work in Texas?

Personal protection (“bodyguard”) work is the Personal Protection Officer role, and it corresponds to Level IV. You typically also need to be a commissioned (Level III) armed officer first, since PPO work is armed. Verify the exact PPO requirements with the Texas DPS Private Security Program.

Ready to start? If you are new, our Level II training is the place to begin, and the Level II and III combo gets you armed-ready in one path. Have questions about which level fits your goals in the Fort Worth and DFW area? Contact Nighthawk Alliance and we will point you in the right direction.