Frequently Asked Questions
(Unarmed SORA License – 2 years) ~ (Armed SORA License – 1 year)
Any individual caught working as a Contract Security Officer in the State of NJ without a valid SORA license will be fined up to $1,000 per offense, and could be barred from working as a security officer in the future.
These companies often charge VERY high rates for their classes. Although you are not paying up front for the class, you are still paying. Some companies even offer the class for free if you are with them for a period of time. However, if you leave the job within that time, you are often required to pay for the training. Independent schools are much cheaper, often have better training and offer employment referrals.
Your registration information to our SORA training program is entered into our database. The class roster will be sent to the NJ State Police the day before the class. If you fail to attend this class, you will be responsible for the seat you have purchased, and possibly a reassignment fee. If you are unable to attend the class, simply contact our office and advise us of the issue. We can assign you to another class at a later date. However, please understand that you have purchased a service and are responsible for the fee.
We do our best to keep our prices as low as possible. The cost of the Initial SORA Training class is higher as this is a two-day class, while the SORA Recertification Class is a one-day class.
If you fail to complete all three steps of the SORA process within 30 days, your Application ID Number issued by the NJ State Police will expire and the money you have paid will not be refunded. You will be eligible to re-register with the NJ State Police, at which time they will issue you another Application ID Number. But they will require you to repay their application fee in order to continue the application process. We suggest contacting NJ Guard, prior to reregistering with the NJ State Police, if this situation occurs. We will discuss your situation with you and assist you in determining what the proper course of action may be for your individual circumstances.
The time to complete each step depends greatly on you. The Registration with the NJ State Police is approximately a 7-minute online process. The class is a two-day class. And the fingerprinting usually takes about 2 minutes, it’s more a matter of getting the appointment. Once you have completed all three steps; the NJ State Police should process your application within 10 business days.
No. You must complete the SORA Training Process, be issued a valid E-SORA License, and be able to show proof of that license upon request, in order to work as a contract security officer in the State of NJ.
As a part of the process for SORA certification, a background check will be conducted. Crimes involving moral turpitude, controlled substances and any 4th degree crime or greater will prohibit an individual from receiving SORA certification. NJ Guard Training Academy does not have the authority to clarify any information regarding this area or any individual’s background. Questions pertaining to criminal history and/or background checks can only be addressed by the NJ State Police. Kindly submit all inquiries regarding criminal history to [email protected]. Since the NJSP does not do refunds for ANY reason, if you have an issue in this area either contact the NJSP for guidance or play it safe and don’t apply for SORA.