Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4: What Security Company Owners Need to Know

Level 2 is the base course for every applicant for a noncommissioned security officer license or a security officer commission, armed or not. Level 3 is added for anyone who will carry a firearm as a commissioned security officer, and for personal protection officers. Level 4 is added only for personal protection officers. For an employer, that means your staffing plan decides your training plan: match each officer to the posts you need covered, and the required levels follow.

All three requirements come from 37 TAC §35.141, published by the Texas Secretary of State. Below is what each level means for the way you hire, train and assign officers.

Which officers need which level?

Start from the license or commission the officer is applying for. Under 37 TAC §35.141(a):

• Noncommissioned security officer license: Level 2 (§35.141(a)(1)).
• Security officer commission: Level 2 and Level 3 (§35.141(a)(1) and (a)(2)).
• Personal protection officer license: Level 3 and Level 4 (§35.141(a)(2) and (a)(3)).

In practical terms, an unarmed officer on a front desk or patrol post needs Level 2. An armed officer on a commercial post needs Level 2 and Level 3. An officer you want available for personal protection assignments needs Level 4 as well.

Can we teach Level 2 in house?

Yes, the rule allows it. 37 TAC §35.141(a)(1) says Level 2 may be taught by the licensee’s designee, or by a department-approved school and instructor. A company with a strong training lead can run Level 2 itself.

Whether you should is a separate question. Running Level 2 yourself means someone on your payroll prepares, delivers and documents the course for every new hire. Many companies find it simpler to send new officers through our self-paced online Level 2 course between shifts and keep their training lead on operations.

Why can’t Level 3 be done the same way?

Because the rule is written differently. 37 TAC §35.141(a)(2) requires Level 3 to be taught by a department-approved school and a department-approved instructor. There is no designee option like the one for Level 2.

So even a company that handles Level 2 internally has to use an approved school for every officer it intends to commission. ETXSTA delivers Level 3 as an online course followed by an in-person firearms qualification. Under 37 TAC §35.145, that handgun qualification may use either the DPS Primary Issued Handgun Qualification Course or the DPS Approved License to Carry Handgun License Course.

What about officers who are already peace officers?

Some may be able to skip Level 3. Under 37 TAC §35.141(b)(1), full-time peace officers certified by TCOLE may be exempted from Level 3 by sworn affidavit. That exemption covers Level 3 only. It does not cover Level 2, so check what else each officer’s application requires before you leave them off a training roster.

When is Level 4 worth adding?

Level 4 is required for a personal protection officer license. Under 37 TAC §35.141(a)(3), it is a minimum of fifteen classroom hours, taught by department-approved personal protection officer schools and instructors.

Whether to put your whole armed crew through it is a business decision. If you only staff fixed commercial posts, Level 2 and Level 3 may be all most of your officers need. If you take executive protection or close protection work, or want the flexibility to bid on it, having Level 4 officers already on the roster means you are not scrambling to train someone after the contract is signed.

How hard are the exams?

37 TAC §35.144(c) sets the passing grade on Level 3 and Level 4 examinations at a minimum of 75%. That is worth telling officers up front, so nobody treats the online material as something to click through.

With a group booking, a manager login shows you which officers have started, which have finished and which have not signed in yet. If someone is falling behind, you will see it before the in-person day rather than on it.

How do we turn this into a training plan?

Sort your roster by the posts each officer will fill, then book accordingly:

1. New hires headed for armed or protection work: the Security Career Fastrack covers Level 2, Level 3, OC Pepper Spray and Level 4 in one enrollment for $500 per officer. Bought separately the same four courses come to $589.95.
2. Officers who already hold some levels: book only the course they still need. Any single course, including OC Pepper Spray, can be booked for a group.
3. Officers who are already commissioned: look at renewal timing instead. Armed Security Recertification can also be booked as a group course.

Group bookings start at five officers, with one invoice for the whole roster. In-person portions happen at your facility or at our range in Longview. The group training page covers the details, including travel.

Employer questions about the levels

Does a personal protection officer also need Level 3?

Yes. 37 TAC §35.141(a)(2) requires Level 3 for applicants for a personal protection officer license, and §35.141(a)(3) adds Level 4 on top.

Do officers pay for their own levels?

Not with a group booking. One invoice covers every officer, paid in advance by the company. After payment you submit one roster, and each officer gets an account and login by email, already enrolled.

How soon after training do officers get their certificates?

Under 37 TAC §35.147(a)(1), the approved school issues the original certificate within seven days after the student qualifies.