Frequently Asked Questions – Enhanced Training Requirements for Security Officers

Enhanced Training Requirements for Security Officers (SO) under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) Skills Ladder (Updated July 2023)

New Entrants SOs

1. From 1 January 2024, which are the mandatory WSQ certifications a newly licensed SO must pass before he/she may be deployed for SO duties?
   • Ans: From 1 Jan 2024, all new entrant SOs are required to pass the following WSQ certifications before they may be deployed.
     • TSC Guard and Patrol (Provide Guard & Patrol Services) (PGPS) and TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) (OBSE) (New)
     • TSC Incident Response (Handle Security Incidents and Services) (HSIS)
     • TSC Threat Observation (Recognise Terrorist Threats) (RTT)
2. If I applied for an SO’s licence on 30 Dec 2023, but the licence was granted to me on 3 January 2024, am I considered a “new” SO?
   • Ans: Yes. You will be considered as a new SO and must undergo and complete the mandatory PWM courses before you may be deployed as a security officer.

Existing SOs

1. What is the deadline for existing Security Officer grade officers to be certified competent (i.e., attend and pass the course) in TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) (OBSE)?
   • Ans: SO grade officers need to be certified competent in the course by 31 December 2025. Otherwise, they may not be deployed for SO duties.
2. If I have attended and passed TSC Guard and Patrol (Provide Guard & Patrol Services) (PGPS) previously, do I need to take the enhanced TSC Guard and Patrol (Provide Guard & Patrol Services) (PGPS) + TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) (OBSE) course by 31 December 2025 to retain my SO status?
   • Ans: You only need to be certified competent in the standalone course on TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) (OBSE) by 31 December 2025. You need not take the entire enhanced PGPS course. You may also consider the Assessment Only Pathway (AOP) of two hours to attain the new Statements of Attainment on OBSE.
3. From 1 January 2024, which are the WSQ certifications an existing SO promoting to Senior Security Officer (SSO) needs to be certified competent in (i.e. attend and pass the course) before he/she may be promoted?
   • Ans: From 1 Jan 2024, SOs need to be certified competent in the following 3 courses before he/she may be promoted to SSO grade.
     • TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) (OBSE)
     • TSC Deterrence (Manage Disorderly Conduct & Threatening Behaviour)
     • TSC Security Surveillance Management (Perform Remote Surveillance Function) [New]
4. What is the deadline for existing SSOs to be certified competent (i.e. attend and pass the course) in TSC Security Surveillance Management (Perform Remote Surveillance Function)?
   • Ans: SSOs need to be certified competent in the course by 31 December 2025. Otherwise, they may not be deployed for SSO duties.
5. From 1 January 2024, which are the courses an SSO promoting to Security Supervisor (SS) need to be certified competent in (i.e. attend and pass the course) before he/she may be promoted?
   • Ans: From 1 January 2024, SSOs need to be certified competent in the following courses before being promoted to SS grade
     • TSC Security Surveillance Management (Perform Remote Surveillance Function) [New]
     • TSC Guard and Patrol (Supervise Security Officers)
     • Select 2 from the 3 modules below
       • TSC Capability Development (Induct Security Personnel)
       • TSC Security Operation Compliance (Perform Supervisory Duties within Legal Framework)
       • TSC Security Risk Analysis (Assess and Address Security Risks)
6. From 1 January 2024, the course curriculum for TSC Incident Response (Handle Security Incidents and Services, HSIS) will be enhanced. Is it a requirement for me to attend the enhanced course if I had attended the course previously?
   • Ans: It is not a requirement for existing SOs to attend the enhanced HSIS course if they have attended the course previously. This curriculum enhancement is included in the refresher quiz training package and the refresher e-quiz, where all SOs are required to pass before renewing their SO licence. As such, existing SOs will be equipped with the knowledge on the enhancements.
7. If I was granted a security officer’s licence before 1 January 2024, do I need to complete the TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) before deployment?
   • Ans: Security officers with PWM grade of SO who were granted a security officer’s licence before 1 January 2024, but have not completed the TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) course, may still be deployed till 31 December 2025. From 1 January 2026 onwards, you will need to be certified competent in TSC Access Control Management (Operate Basic Security Equipment) module before you are allowed to be deployed. Failure to comply will be a breach of licensing conditions.
8. How to check your training status?
   • Ans: Please login to GoBusiness Licensing at https://dashboard.gobusiness.gov.sg/login using your SingPass account. If your status shows ‘Untrained’ but you had been certified competent for the required WSQ certifications, please write to PLRD at spf_licensing_feedback@spf.gov.sg and attach supporting documents showing you have been certified competent.

Information from PLRD (12 July 2023)

New License Renewal Requirement for ALL Licensed Officers

Licensing and Regulatory Requirements

Security Officers whose licenses are expiring on or after 1 January 2024 will be informed to attempt the online refresher quiz from 1 October 2023 (three months before their license expiry). Passing the refresher quiz before they are eligible for license renewal is mandatory. The license validity for Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents is five years and the validity for Work Permit (WP) holders corresponds to their WP expiry.

How and Where to Assess the Refresher Quiz

Currently, PLRD sends out a renewal notice to the Security Officers three months prior to their license expiry. With effect from 1 October 2023, the renewal notice will include a link (in the form of a QR code) to access the refresher quiz and accompanying training package. The link to the refresher quiz and training package will also be included on SPF’s webpage on Security Officers’ licenses.

Modality and Content of the Refresher Quiz

The refresher quiz will comprise 20 multiple-choice questions randomized from a question bank. The quiz will include topics from the prevailing enhanced BLUs, current/new laws, policies, and guidelines. Security Officers can access the training package and complete the quiz on their own time via personal electronic devices (e.g. laptop, mobile phone, etc).

Accompanying Training Package to Prepare Security Officers for the Refresher Quiz

To assist the Security Officers in preparing for the quiz, a training package will be provided to all licensed security agencies and made available on SPF’s website for officers’ reference.

Cost

The refresher quiz will be administered by PLRD vendor, at a fee of $20. Security officers have unlimited attempts to pass the quiz. For timely renewal of their license, officers should pass the quiz within three months of their renewal notice.

Information from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ media release as well as the factsheet