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Security training5 min read

Illinois PERC 20-Hour Security Guard Training Online: Employer Certification Guide

Illinois security guard applicants can complete 20-hour basic training online, but the employer or private security contractor agency still has to accept and certify the training record.

Quick answer

Illinois law allows online or Internet-based basic security training. IDFPR Safety Unit confirmed on May 19, 2026 that IDFPR does not certify, accredit, or license 20-hour basic training courses. The employer or private security contractor agency must accept the training, certify completion on the Department form, and maintain records.

Compliance Snapshot

Course length
20 hours
Format
Online self-paced with active-time tracking
Price
$29.99
Final exam
Required before completion record release
IDFPR boundary
No IDFPR course approval, certification, accreditation, or license

What this Illinois course is for

The Illinois 20-Hour Security Guard Training course is built for students who need a basic training record for private security work or PERC-related employer documentation. It covers Illinois security law, professional conduct, observation and reporting, emergency response, patrol concepts, communication, ethics, and exam readiness.

The course is priced at $29.99 and includes lesson access, active seat-time tracking, practice support, a final exam, secure student support, and a completion record after the student meets all requirements.

What the course does not do

A completion record is not a PERC card. It does not replace fingerprinting, background checks, IDFPR registration, firearm training, employer hiring standards, or the employer/private security contractor agency certification step.

Do not describe the course as IDFPR-approved. IDFPR Safety Unit confirmed on May 19, 2026 that IDFPR does not certify, accredit, or license 20-hour basic training courses.

How the online course works

Students create an account, accept the Illinois security disclosures, pay for the course, complete sequential lessons, stay active for the required seat time, and pass the final exam.

After completion, the student receives a verifiable completion record. The employer or agency can then decide whether to accept the training record and certify completion on the Department form.

  • English instructional text with Spanish lesson translation and navigation
  • 10 lessons covering the 20-hour basic training path
  • Active-time controls before the final exam unlocks
  • Final exam controls before completion-record release
  • Secure support messages for account, checkout, exam, and employer questions

What employers should keep

Employers and private security contractor agencies should keep a copy of the completion record, the date of training completion, the student's identity, and any internal acceptance or certification documentation.

If the employer has a separate internal curriculum or hands-on process, use the online record as supporting evidence only after confirming it fits the agency's own obligations.

Employer Checklist

  1. 1Confirm the employer or agency will accept online basic security training before relying on the record.
  2. 2Create a student account with the learner's own email address.
  3. 3Accept the Illinois disclosures and understand the no-IDFPR-approval boundary.
  4. 4Complete all lessons and required active seat time.
  5. 5Pass the final exam and save the completion record.
  6. 6Give the record to the employer or agency for its certification and recordkeeping step.

FAQ

Is this Illinois 20-hour security guard course IDFPR-approved?

No. IDFPR Safety Unit confirmed on May 19, 2026 that IDFPR does not certify, accredit, or license 20-hour basic training courses. The employer or agency must accept the training and certify completion.

Can I take Illinois basic security training online?

Illinois law allows online or Internet-based basic training. The practical issue is employer or agency acceptance and certification, which remains outside the online course.

Does the completion record give me a PERC card?

No. A completion record is not a PERC card. Fingerprinting, background check, PERC registration, employer certification, and any firearm training requirements remain separate.

Is the Spanish side fully Spanish?

Student navigation, disclosures, support, checkout messaging, and lesson translation support are available in Spanish. Some legal names, agency names, and certificate IDs remain as official English identifiers.

Official Sources

This guide is general information for employer planning. It is not legal advice, and employers should confirm requirements with counsel, the regulator, or the requesting agency before relying on any course for a specific obligation.