Illinois Security
License Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who Needs an Illinois PERC?

In Illinois, anyone working as a security officer for a licensed private security agency, armed or unarmed, full-time or part-time, needs a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC). It is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

The PERC is a registration, not a training certificate. It confirms you passed a fingerprint-based criminal background check run through the Illinois State Police and the FBI. The 20-hour basic training is a separate requirement that sits alongside it.

You must have your PERC in hand, or confirm active or "Eligible" status on the IDFPR site, before your first shift. Working security without valid registration exposes both you and the agency to enforcement action.

Illinois does not recognize security officer licenses from other states. If you are relocating, you will need an Illinois PERC and Illinois-approved training regardless of what you currently hold.

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Unarmed vs Armed: PERC and FCC

Every security officer in Illinois starts with the same PERC. Whether you need anything beyond it depends entirely on whether the role requires you to carry a firearm.

Unarmed: PERC + 20-Hour Training

The standard path for unarmed security work, which covers the large majority of jobs across Chicago and Illinois: corporate lobbies, healthcare, retail, warehouses, and residential communities.

• Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), age 18 or older
• 20-hour basic training from an IDFPR-approved provider, due within 30 days of employment
• Additional training within the first six months, then annual refresher training after that
• Fingerprint-based background check through IDFPR
• No firearm

Armed: PERC + FOID + Firearm Control Card

Required for any paid role where the officer carries a firearm. Armed roles are a smaller share of the market and concentrate at higher-risk sites.

• Active PERC in good standing
• Valid Illinois FOID card, issued by the Illinois State Police
• IDFPR-approved firearm training (published hour figures vary, so confirm the current requirement with IDFPR)
• Firearm Control Card (FCC), age 21 or older
• A separate FCC for each armed agency you work for

You cannot carry a firearm on duty until every FCC requirement is satisfied. If a job is not specifically designated as armed, a PERC plus the 20-hour training is all you need to start applying.

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Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an Illinois PERC, applicants must meet the following criteria set by IDFPR:

• Be at least 18 years of age (21 for the armed Firearm Control Card)
• Be a United States citizen or authorized to work in the United States
• Pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check through IDFPR
• Be current on any child support obligations
• Have no disqualifying criminal convictions (certain felonies and some misdemeanors, reviewed case by case)

Your fingerprints must be taken within 60 days before you submit your application, so schedule fingerprinting close to when you plan to apply.

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How to Get Your PERC: Step by Step

The process from start to a card in hand typically takes 4 to 6 weeks of IDFPR processing, plus the time you need to finish training and fingerprinting.

1. Complete the 20-Hour Basic Training

Take the 20-hour basic security officer course from an IDFPR-approved provider. IDFPR will only accept a certificate from a provider on its current approved list, so check the list before you enroll. The course is available fully online and covers Illinois law, roles and responsibilities, communication, and response to emergencies. You receive a certificate on completion.

2. Get Fingerprinted at a Licensed Vendor

Use an IDFPR-licensed Livescan fingerprint vendor. The Illinois State Police transmit your results to IDFPR electronically. Keep your receipt and the 16-character Transaction Control Number (TCN); you will need the TCN on your application, and IDFPR may ask for the receipt later.

3. Apply Through IDFPR (CORE)

As of October 30, 2024, IDFPR uses its online system called CORE. Complete the PERC application, enter your fingerprint TCN, and pay the $55 nonrefundable fee. Double-check every entry, since errors are the most common cause of delays.

4. Wait for the Background Check and Card

IDFPR reviews your fingerprint results and application, typically within 4 to 6 weeks. You can begin work once your status shows "Eligible" or active, or once the physical card arrives, subject to your employer's policy.

5. Complete Ongoing Training on Time

Finish the 20-hour basic training within 30 days of employment, then complete the additional training Illinois requires within the first six months and the annual refresher after that. Keep your records, since employers and IDFPR can ask for them.

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Costs & Fees

Total out-of-pocket cost depends on your fingerprint vendor and training provider. The ranges below reflect typical Illinois pricing for an unarmed PERC.

Unarmed PERC: Estimated Total

Item	Estimated Cost
IDFPR PERC application fee	$55
Fingerprinting (licensed Livescan vendor)	$30–$60
20-hour basic training (approved provider)	$60–$200
Estimated Total	$145–$315

Fees are nonrefundable. Some employers reimburse training costs after hire, so ask before you pay out of pocket.

Armed: Additional Costs

Going armed adds three things on top of the PERC: an Illinois FOID card through the Illinois State Police (a $10 application, valid ten years), an IDFPR-approved firearm training course, and the Firearm Control Card application through IDFPR. Firearm training hours and the FCC fee vary by source, so confirm the current figures directly with IDFPR and the Illinois State Police before you budget.

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Renewal & Continuing Training

An Illinois PERC expires and must be renewed to remain valid. Working on an expired card carries the same exposure as working without one.

PERC Renewal

The PERC is valid for three years. IDFPR mails a renewal notice before expiration, usually about three months out. Renew before the expiration date to keep working. If you miss the renewal window, you may have to reinstate the license through IDFPR rather than simply renew.

Ongoing Training

After your first year, Illinois requires annual refresher training. Keep certificates on file, since your agency is responsible for showing that each officer's training is current.

Armed Credentials

The FCC and FOID follow their own cycles. The Illinois State Police FOID card is generally valid for ten years. Maintain your firearm training and any required qualification so your armed status does not lapse.

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Disqualifying Factors

IDFPR can deny a PERC application based on your background. Common disqualifying factors include:

• Certain felony convictions
• Some misdemeanor convictions relevant to the security profession (reviewed case by case)
• Failure to be current on child support obligations
• Providing false information on the application
• Fingerprint results that do not return an "Eligible" status

IDFPR reviews criminal history individually rather than by a fixed lookback period. If you are unsure whether something on your record is disqualifying, be upfront on the application and be ready to provide certified records.

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Verify With Official Illinois Sources

Illinois security rules, fees, and training timelines change, and IDFPR moved applications to its new CORE system in late 2024. This page is a guide, not legal advice. Confirm the current requirements directly with IDFPR before you pay for training or apply.

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