Training & skills

When you apply for a private security licence or certificate you need to prove you have the training or skills (competency) for the classes of work you will be doing.

Proof of training or skills needed to apply

If you want to work as a:	You need to show:
crowd controller property guard personal guard	You have done the set training. This can either be Unit Standards or the new Skills Standards.
security technician security consultant private investigator repossession agent monitoring officer	You have the training or skills needed or are receiving on the job training.

Good Practice Guidelines

The New Zealand Security Association in conjunction with E Tu, Worksafe New Zealand and others in the security industry have developed Good Practice Guidelines for security guards. it is intended as a guidance document to help security providers manage the risk within the guarding industry.

Good Practice Guideline (external link)

Training - for crowd controllers, property or personal guards

You must have training to work as a crowd controller, property guard or personal guard.

Property guard work includes two functions. On-site guard work and monitoring security systems remotely, for example working in a control room monitoring cameras or alarm systems. Amendments to the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators (Minimum Training) Regulations 2013 have excluded the function of monitoring systems remotely from requiring the minimum training to be done. This type of work will be commonly referred to as a Monitoring Officer which is now a permit class type that you can apply for.

You only need to train once. You don’t need to do it again to renew your licence or certificate.

Upload your NZQA record of achievement

Once you’ve done your training, you must upload your NZQA record of achievement. You will then get a new badge to replace your temporary badge.

Before you upload your record you will need:

• your current ID badge number
• your NZQA record of achievement. Find out how to get a copy on the NZQA website(external link)
• your current postal address

Upload your record of achievement(external link)

Temporary certificate of approval to work

If you are applying for a certificate of approval including the classes of crowd controller, property guard and personal guard and have not completed the training you can apply for a temporary certificate of approval. This will mean you can work while you train. In most cases, this will take 10 days to come through. It lasts for 3 months. If you haven’t done your training by then you need to apply for another one.

If your application includes the classes: security technician, security consultant, private investigator, repossession agent or monitoring officer, you may need to meet the skills requirements for each of these categories before you can be issued a temporary certificate.

Request a temporary certificate of approval

NZQA unit standards needed

You need 3 Unit Standards or 3 Skills Standards. These add up to 12 credits.

Unit Standards

• NZQA unit standard 27364 (to demonstrate pre-employment knowledge of the security industry); and
• NZQA unit standard 27360 (to demonstrate basic conflict situation management skills); and
• NZQA unit standard 27361 (to demonstrate intermediate conflict situation management skills).

Skills Standards

• NZQA Skills Standard 40146 (foundation knowledge of the security industry
• NZQA Skills Standard 40145 (explain conflict management in a security context)
• NZQA Skills Standard 40147 (manage and resolve conflict situations in a security context)

You are considered to have met these unit standards if you hold

• NZQF New Zealand Certificate in Security (Foundation) (Level 3).
• NZQF New Zealand Certificate in Security (Advanced) (Level 4).

Overseas training

If you trained overseas you should contact the NZQA to see if your qualification is accepted in New Zealand. Alternatively, you could email the PSPLA with information about your overseas training and ask if that will be accepted as equivalent to the New Zealand minimum training requirements.

Contact the NZQA(external link)

Skills - for security technicians, security consultants, private investigators, repossession agent or monitoring officer

The PSPLA works to ensure that all people working in the security industry have the proper skills to undertake the categories of work they are licensed for. To work as a private investigator, security technician, repossession agent or security consultant, you must show that you are either:

• trained
• getting training
• competent (have the skills you need).

You need to supply evidence to support your application for each of these classes of work. Evidence of competency for the classes of security technician, security consultant and private investigator has been required since July 2016 and for monitoring officer and repossession agent since May 2019. You will only need to supply this evidence once unless you were an apprentice when you first applied for a certificate. Next time you renew your licence, the Authority will already have it on file.

You can show this through the following:

Examples of evidence for a security consultant application

• a signed letter from your employer outlining your training, experience and competence as a security consultant. This can be your past or present employer
• a signed letter from your employer showing that you are an apprentice or receiving on the job training
• ASIS certifications Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• Security Consultant Certificate of Competence (Micro-credential) (Level 4)
• Evidence of any other relevant qualifications such as overseas qualifications or experience

Examples of evidence for a security technician application

Note: National Certificate in Electronic Security Level 3 and 4 will remain valid for a period of time as they are replaced by the New Zealand Certificates in Electrotechnology Level 3 and Electronic Security Level 4.

• a signed letter from your employer outlining your training, experience and competence as a security technician. This can be your past or present employer
• a signed letter from your employer showing that you are an apprentice or receiving on the job training
• New Zealand National Diploma in Security (Level 6) supplemented by on the job training
• Electrical Installers licence issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board
• National Certificate in Electronic Security (Systems Installation) (Level 3)
  
• National Certificate in Electronic Security (Level 4)
• Evidence of any other relevant qualifications or training

Examples of evidence for a private investigator application

• Confirmation of experience and training as a police detective
• a signed letter from your employer outlining your training, experience and competence as a private investigator. This can be your past or present employer
• a signed letter from your employer showing that you are an apprentice
• Evidence of training in Human Resources and experience in undertaking employment investigations.
• Evidence that you’re a member of the NZ Institute of Professional Investigators (NZIPI)
• OSACO Certified Training in Investigations*
• Professional Certified Investigator ASIS Certification (PCI)*
• Certificate in Professional Investigation*
• Evidence of any other relevant qualifications*

∗ In addition to this qualification you need to provide a letter from a licenced private investigator confirming that your training has been, or is being, supplemented by on-the-job training.

Examples of evidence for a repossession agent or monitoring officer

• a signed letter from your employer outlining your training, experience and competence as a repossession agent. This can be your past or present employer
• a signed letter from your employer showing that you are an apprentice or receiving on the job training

This page was last updated: 06th May 2025