vertexprofessionalinstitute.com

Facebook Twitter Youtube

SORA Training Classes and FAQs

SORA Training Classes and FAQs

What is SORA training?

SORA stands for Security Officer Registration Act — a New Jersey law that requires all security officers working in the state to be trained, registered, and licensed by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).
The training ensures guards understand laws, ethics, safety, and emergency procedures before working in the field.

Anyone who wants to work as a security officer (armed or unarmed) in New Jersey must complete the SORA process, including the 24-hour training class.
This includes:

  • Security guards at buildings, schools, retail, etc.
  • Armed guards and executive protection officers
  • Loss prevention officers (if employed as security personnel)

The initial SORA training is 24 hours, typically completed over 2–3 days.
Renewal courses are shorter — 8 hours every two years for unarmed and 8 hours every year for armed.

The 24-hour class includes:

  • Security officer ethics & professionalism
  • Emergency response and terrorism awareness
  • Observation and report writing
  • Use of force guidelines
  • Public interaction & communication
  • Theft prevention and patrol techniques
  • State laws & responsibilities of a licensed guard.


For armed SORA, additional firearms handling and qualification are required separately.

You must first apply for a SORA license online at the NJSP website:
🔗 https://www.njsp.org/application/login.do
Then, you can register for a class with a NJSP-certified SORA instructor or training school.

No. You can apply online first and then take the class within 30 days of your application date.
If you don’t complete the course within that period, your application may expire and you’ll need to reapply.

Typical costs:

  • NJSP Application Fee: $75
  • Fingerprinting (IdentoGO): $68.99
  • Training Class Fee: $100–$200 (varies)
  • So expect to spend around $250–$350 total for unarmed certification. Armed certification is more sue to live range and additional in class training.

You must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
  • Have a clean criminal record (no felony convictions)
  • Possess a valid photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)

Only instructors approved and listed by the New Jersey State Police can teach official SORA classes.
You can verify an instructor’s status through the NJSP website or by asking them for their NJSP Instructor Certification Number.

  • Your instructor gives you a Certificate of Completion.
  • You upload it to your NJSP SORA account (or the instructor uploads it).
  • Once your fingerprinting, background check, and certificate are approved, NJSP issues your Unarmed SORA license (valid for 2 years) and Armed SORA license (valid for 1 year).
  • Unarmed SORA: 24-hour class only (no firearm component).
  • Armed SORA: You must complete the same 24-hour SORA class plus:
  • A firearms qualification course with a certified instructor.
  • Obtain a New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun before working armed.
  • Renewal must be completed before the expiration date shown on your card.
  • Take the 8-hour renewal class.
  • Pay the $80 renewal fee online.
  • Upload your renewal certificate in your SORA portal.
  • NJSP will update your license for another 2 years.
  • If your license lapses, you cannot legally work as a security officer.
  • You’ll have to reapply as a new applicant and retake the 24-hour course if you miss the renewal window.

Some parts may be offered online (Zoom or hybrid) by us, but NJSP-approved training providers must still verify your attendance and identity.
Always confirm that an online course is NJSP-certified before paying.

Once your background check, fingerprints, and training are approved, NJSP will email you confirming your SORA license is active.
You can log in to the portal and print your own card.