Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For Virginia

Locking Things Down in the Old Dominion State of Virginia

It's a beautiful day as you settle into your job at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sun is shining, and the weather has cooled off as the leaves transform into their seasonal shades of gold, yellow, and red. Truly, there is no place on earth more beautiful than Virginia in Autumn, and you thank your lucky stars that you get to see it each and every day you come to work. You are also thankful that your job is anything but routine, and just like the leaves on the trees it changes from day to day. One day it may be filled with requests for directions, the next it may be questioning looky loo's who have poked their heads through the perimeter fencing. The only thing you know when you go into work is that you have to be on your toes and ready to respond to everything from non-emergency inquiries and visitor checks, to health emergencies and potential security breaches.

That's life as a security guard in Virginia, and the daily life of a security guard can vary considerably depending on the facility and the region where you choose to live and work. Virginia is a diverse state with a few major metropolitan areas surrounded by plenty of smaller communities that maintain plenty of Southern charm and character.

The state's largest city is Virginia Beach with a population of 452,000, it's followed by Norfolk with 246,000. Both are located in the Hampton Roads region where the primary industries are tourism, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Demand within these sectors is strong and that means plenty of opportunities for security guards to find work that is interesting and in high demand.

There's also Chesapeake and Richmond that both have populations of roughly 230,000. In Richmond, the largest employers are Amazon, Dominion Resources, UPS, DuPont, Honeywell, Virginia State University, and General Dynamics. These top notch employers have excellent reputations and are well worth building a long-term career within. In Chesapeake, you should take a look at BECO Constuction, Coastal Masonry, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Canon Information Technology, FlowServe, and IBS of America. These companies have strong roots in the region, and are among the companies that help the Chesapeake region receive strong growth ratings. Indeed, Chesapeake continually ranks among the Top 50 places in America for job growth.

If you are looking for something a bit smaller, consider Roanoke or Lynchburg. Each have populations of just under 100,000. Or, for even smaller communities, look at Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, or Manassas. Each have populations of just under 50,000. These communities are well known for their solid schools, advanced industries, and low crime rates.

Virginia requires security guards to register with the state. In order to register, security guards must be 18 years old, submit a finger print card, and show that they are mentally competent. Applicants must also show that they have no felony convictions and can successfully pass a drug screening. Finally, applicants must show that they have completed 18 hours of training, including classes in laws and regulations, ethics, roles and responsibilities of security guards, reporting, and emergency procedures and response. The registration fee is a nominal $25, and the fingerprinting costs $50 on top of that. Once the fees are paid and the application is approved, individuals can put on the uniform and get to work.

The average salary for security guards in Virginia is $22,000. One thing to remember when it comes to salary is that it can vary greatly by industry and location. When it comes to earning potential, cities such as Richmond and Petersburg are the best, but keep in mind that you will likely face more challenging situations in these cities as their crime rates are higher. Alexandria, Chantilly, and Manassas are also high paying areas, but the cost of living in those cities is considerably higher so you will have to search to find a balance between salary, risk, and quality of life. As you move up the experience and training ladder, you can work your way into managerial positions that can pay upwards of $45,000 per year. 

The average cost of living in the state is about 8% higher than the national average. Groceries and transportation tend to be slightly less expensive, while healthcare and utilities tend to be about the same as other states. Where you have to be careful is housing which can be up to 33% more expensive than other areas. However, that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal on property; it just means that you will need to be ready to shop and perhaps roll your sleeves up to fix up a property you can afford. If you are willing to put in a little elbow grease, the Virginia property market is full of fixer uppers that you can generate considerable resale returns on.

Overall, Virginia has a very low crime rate. There are just 2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. This is half the national average of 3.8 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes are also low, with just 19 per 1,000 residents as compared to the national average of 26 per 1,000 residents. Of course, these rates are state averages. Cities such as Richmond have considerably higher crime rates than the national average. Because the crime rates vary considerably from community to community, it's necessary to carefully research the community where you are considering working before accepting a position.

Virginia has four very distinct seasons. The spring and fall are typically very mild, and are known for their cool temperatures and increased precipitation. The summer's tend to get rather hot in Northern Virginia and along the coast. These regions are humid to boot, which means that you will most definitely want to turn on the AC during the summer. The state gets cold in the winter, but it doesn't typically snow very much. Indeed, snowstorms are rare and the greatest danger in the winter months is the ice that can form on roads and bridges as the temperatures drop at night.

Life in Virginia is diverse and beautiful. In the summers, you will find plenty of people taking hikes in the Blue Ridge, and dipping their toes in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay or at Virginia Beach. If you love history, you're going to fall head over heels for Virginia. The state was the cradle of the American Revolution and the Civil War, and these wars ended at Yorktown and Appomattox which each have fabulous museums honoring those who fought and died in those conflicts. You can see how president's lived at Monticello near Charlottesville, and Mt. Vernon near Alexandria. And, when you are ready to just kick up your heels and relax, head to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and enjoy the many roller coasters they have to offer.