OPOTA Private Security Firearms

20 Hour Initial Certification

To be an armed security officer in the State of Ohio, anyone interested must attend a basic 20 hour initial certification course from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

Students who attend the 20 hour initial certification will receive formalized training in the following topics:

- Legal considerations

- Use of Force considerations

- Basic firearm safe handling skills

- Shooting platforms and other fundamentals

- Conduct magazine swaps, dummy round drills, malfunction corrections

- Minimum of 4 hours of live fire practical exercises

- Pass a written exam of knowledge retention and conduct performance objectives while on the range

Students are required to have with them for class; duty gear, service firearm, minimum of 3 magazines and minimum of 200 rounds of full metal jacket rounds. Reloaded or unjacketed rounds are not acceptable.

**PLEASE NOTE: Individual students are required to pay upon registering for class.

Classroom / Range Location

The Cardinal Center - Red Feather Outfitters

3547 County Road 225, Marengo, Ohio 43334

**PLEASE NOTE: The range is an uncovered outdoor range. Tailgate pop-tents provided to allow some coverage from elements. Take personal responsibility and check ahead of weather conditions and be prepared.

Individual officer cost: $225

4 Hour Requal

Every year, OPOTA requires security officers who are currently certified to work as an armed security officer, attend the 4 hour requalification course to maintain their certification. Students are required to have with them for class; duty gear, service firearm, minimum of 3 magazines and minimum of 50 rounds of full metal jacket rounds. Reloaded or unjacketed rounds are not acceptable.

TRFTA conducts our requalification courses on Saturdays of every month. We have even started to schedule requalification courses on Wednesday mornings. There is an absolute ZERO "gray area" with OPOTA if your certificate expires. If you fail to qualify or complete a requalification course before your certificate expiration date, you will need to sit for the entire 20-hour course again.

You MUST have a current OPOTA Private Security Firearms Certification that is NOT beyond the expiration date on your certificate. Students must provide a copy of their unexpired certificate and direction how to do so will be sent after you have registered for class.

**PLEASE NOTE: Individual students are required to pay upon registering for class.

Classroom / Range Location

The Cardinal Center - Red Feather Outfitters

3547 County Road 225, Marengo, Ohio 43334

Individual officer cost: $125