Private Security, Private Investigator, and Bail Bond Recovery Agent Firearms Certificate

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) administers the Firearm Certificate Program for:

  • Private Security Guards
  • Private Investigators
  • Bail Bond Recovery Agents

Individuals carrying a firearm while working under these professions must possess a valid firearm certificate issued through the WSCJTC in accordance with RCW 43.101.250 and RCW 43.101.260.

Obtaining a Firearms Certificate

The WSCJTC Firearm Certificate Program is not a self-sponsored application process.

All firearm certificate applications and transfers must be submitted by a licensed private security (PS) company, private investigator (PI) agency, or bail bond recovery agency (BBRA) on behalf of the employee/applicant.

Applications submitted directly by individuals will not be processed.

Certificate Association

Firearm certificates are issued in association with a specific licensed company or agency.

Individuals employed by multiple companies or agencies require a separate firearm certificate for each employer.

Eligibility Requirements

Firearms Certificate Types and Fees

There are three certificate types:

  1. Firearm Certificate Issuance
  2. Firearm Certificate Transfer
  3. Firearm Certificate Expired Renewal

There are two options for the fee submission:

  1. Mailed in: Attach a note or memo to the payment and allow 2 weeks for processing this type of payment. WSCJTC accepts checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or ACH/Wire Transfers. We do not accept credit or debit cards. 

WSCJTC
Attn: PS/PI/BBRA
PO Box 40905
Olympia, WA 98504-0905

  1. ACH/Wire Transfer: If you would like to use ACH/ Wire Transfer, click here for instructions. 

Firearm Certificate Issuance Fee – $200

  • A fee assessed for the issuance of a firearms certificate to a private security guard, private investigator, or bail bond recovery agent for employment with a specific licensed company or agency.

Issuance Process

  1. The employing company/agency coordinates required firearms training and qualification through a PS-PI-BBRA-certified firearms instructor.
  2. The employing company/agency submits the firearm certificate application and supporting documentation via the Acadis Portal.
  3. Upon approval and receipt of payment, the firearm certificate will be issued for employment with the specific licensed company/agency. The completed firearm certificate will be electronically distributed to the employing company/agency, the employee, and the Washington Department of Licensing (WA DOL).

Firearm Certificate Transfer Fee – $100

  • A fee assessed for the transfer of an existing firearm certificate from one licensed company/agency to another licensed company/agency. This fee applies to both certificate transfers that maintain the current certificate expiration date and transfers that include renewal of the firearm certificate at the time of transfer.

Transfer Process

  1. When an individual changes employment between licensed companies/ agencies, the new employing company/agency must submit a firearm certificate transfer request via email to cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov.
  2. Transfers may:
    • Maintain the current certificate expiration date, or
    • Include certificate renewal at the time of transfer.
  3. Upon approval and receipt of payment, the firearm certificate will be issued for employment with the specific licensed company/agency. The completed firearm certificate will be electronically distributed to the employing company/agency, the employee, and the Washington Department of Licensing (WA DOL.

Firearm Certificate Expired Renewal Fee – $100

  • A fee assessed for the renewal of a firearm certificate that has remained expired for more than thirty (30) days following the certificate expiration date.

Expired Renewal Process

  1. PS-PI-BBRA-certified firearms instructors submit renewal rosters to the WSCJTC Firearm Certificate Program for annual firearm certificate renewals.
  2. Program staff review submitted renewal rosters and verify firearm certificate eligibility and expiration status.
  3. If program staff identify that a firearm certificate has remained expired for more than thirty (30) days beyond the expiration date, the employing company or agency will be notified that the Firearm Certificate Fee – Expired Renewal is required prior to processing.
  4. Upon receipt of the required fee, program staff will update the firearm certificate record. The employing company/agency and/or the employee may then access the renewed certificate via the Acadis Portal.
    • Renewed certificates are not emailed to the WA DOL.

Application Submission Information

Only company/ agency representatives with administrator access in the Acadis Portal are authorized to submit firearm certificate applications via email.

If a company/agency representative requires administrator access to the Acadis Portal, they must contact the Private Security Firearm Certificate Program at cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov

Contact Us

For additional information regarding the Firearms Certificate Program, please contact:

  • Tisha Tyler, Program Manager
    (206) 779-5381
    cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov 
  • Roxana Jenny-Williams, Administrative Assistant

cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov 

Instructor Complaints

Submit the Firearms Certificate Instructor Complaint Form to cjtcpspi@cjtc.wa.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For answers to FAQs regarding the WSCJTC Firearm Certificate Program, please click here for the FAQ page.