Oklahoma CLEET security guard license renewal: three-year terms, 8 hours of CE, and a 30-day cutoff

Who issues the license

The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) issues the Oklahoma security guard license. It comes in unarmed and armed forms, and CLEET also sells combination licenses that pair a guard license with a private investigator license (CLEET security guard page).

How long the license lasts

CLEET calls the license a "three year, renewable license" that expires three years from the date it was issued (CLEET). The expiration date follows the issue date for each guard, so a roster will have dates spread across the year rather than one shared deadline. An upgrade from unarmed to armed keeps the current expiration date.

What renewal takes

1. Finish continuing education. Security guards must complete at least 8 hours of continuing education from an approved source during the licensing period. CLEET lists the same 8 hours for unarmed and armed guards (CLEET training and testing).
2. File the renewal application. The guard submits a completed renewal application, proof of continuing education, and either a notice of employment or a current bond or insurance. CLEET takes applications through its Thentia portal and says it no longer accepts paper applications (CLEET).
3. Pay the exact fee. CLEET accepts online credit card, money order, company check, or cashier's check, and states "NO PERSONAL CHECKS." The payment must be the exact invoice amount for one applicant and include the invoice number, or it is returned (CLEET).

Fees

CLEET's table shows the late fee for renewals one or more days late. An upgrade, such as unarmed to armed guard, costs $50 (CLEET fee table).

If the license expires

CLEET says a renewal application may be used only for a license that has not expired or has been expired for less than 30 days. A license expired more than 30 days cannot be renewed, and the guard files a new application (CLEET). The page does not say whether the guard may work during the 30 days, so confirm that with CLEET and keep the guard off the post until the license is current.

Armed license requirements

An armed guard needs the training phases listed by CLEET: Phase I (20 hours), Phase II (20 hours), and Phase IV (32 hours), with the unarmed state exam and a firearms exam. An unarmed guard completes Phases I and II (CLEET training and testing). To upgrade from unarmed, CLEET requires an Armed Affidavit, a passport-size photo, Phase IV training and testing, and an MMPI, and the guard must hold a current, valid security guard license (CLEET). The pages we read list no separate armed renewal course beyond the 8 hours of continuing education.

Employer duties

• Provide proof of employment or coverage. A renewal needs a notice of employment or a current bond or insurance, so the employer's paperwork is part of the filing.
• Keep addresses current. Licensees must keep their residential address on file with CLEET, and notice of an address or phone change is due within ten days (CLEET, citing OAC 390:35-5-13).

We found no penalty schedule for employing a guard with an expired license on the CLEET pages we read, so this guide does not state one.

What to track for each Oklahoma guard

• The license issue date and the expiration three years later, with a reminder far enough out to finish 8 hours of continuing education.
• The 30-day cutoff after expiration, after which a new application is needed.
• For armed guards, the Phase IV training record.

Frequently asked questions

How long is an Oklahoma security guard license good for?

Three years from the date it was issued (CLEET).

How many continuing education hours does CLEET require?

A minimum of 8 hours from an approved source during the licensing period (CLEET training and testing).

Can I renew a CLEET license after it expires?

Only within 30 days. After that, CLEET requires a new application (CLEET).

Can I still apply on paper?

No. CLEET says it will no longer accept paper applications, and they go through the Thentia portal (CLEET).