New Jersey State Police
SORA
News / Updates
12/15/2025 - 2026 SORA Instructor Course Application Process Dates
The New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit, will be opening and accepting applications for the 2026 SORA Instructor Certification Course, beginning January 15, 2026.
Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2026, at 2359 hours; at which time the application portal will close automatically and cannot be reopened. No applications will be accepted after February 15, 2026. No exceptions.
Please review the requirements before applying:
- 25 years of age or older
- Combined 20 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter
- Combined 15 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or as a supervisor for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, with an associate's degree from an accredited college or university
- Combined 10 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, and a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited college or university
Applicants must meet these requirements by January 15, 2026. No exceptions. Be aware that these requirements are statutory and there are no refunds issued to applicants that do not meet the listed qualifications.
Upon the completion of a thorough background investigation, applicants will be invited to a 4 day/40-hour SORA Instructor course, scheduled for April 27, 2026 till April 30, 2026, at the NEW JERSEY FORENSIC SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CENTER, 1200 Negron Drive, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691.
Be reminded that reasons for denial during a background investigation include:
- Applications submitted by person's found guilty of a crime in this State or any other State or U.S. Territory of a First, Second, Third or Fourth degree crime shall be denied.
- Any guilty conviction involving the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance (drugs) shall be denied.
- Any person who has been convicted of any sexual offense and or a registered sex offender in this State or any other State or U.S. Territory shall be denied
- Knowingly providing false or misleading information
- Knowingly omits information in completing this application
- Any applicant who falsifies or furnishes misleading information in the questionnaire section of this application shall be denied
- Any offense contrary to public interest as determined by the Superintendent of the State Police shall be denied
Please be advised that applications for the 2027 SORA Instructor Program are not currently being accepted.
Additional information regarding the 2027 SORA Instructor class, including application procedures, class dates, and training location, will be made available this winter.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to monitor for future announcements and updates regarding the application process and course details.
Thank you for your patience and continued interest in the SORA Instructor Program.
If you meet the requirements to register, visit our registration page at:
If you have questions, reach out to our unit using the contact information below.
The Private Detective Unit’s mission is to investigate, supervise, review, process, inspect, instruct, and compile statistical data about private detectives, bounty hunters, security officer instructors, security officers, and security company owners to ensure compliance with statutory guidelines.
2024 SORA Instructor Information: The NJSP – Private Detective Unit will open and accept applications for the SORA Instructor certification from January 2, 2024 – February 16, 2024. Please review the requirements before applying for the Requirements for SORA Instructor Certification. Once the application process and background investigation are completed, applicants will be invited to a 4-day / 40-hour SORA Instructor course tentatively scheduled for March 25, 2024, to March 28, 2024, in Hamilton, NJ. For additional information, please contact Det. II Dean Sauchelli at dean.sauchelli@njsp.gov
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Effective October 1, 2024, the Private Detective Unit of the New Jersey State Police will discontinue the 30-day temporary certificate of registration. Applicants will have a 30-day period to complete the necessary requirements, including fingerprinting and completion of the security officer training course. However, it is important to note that applicants are not permitted to be employed as security officers until the entire process has been completed and officially approved by the Private Detective Unit.
Advisory Notification
Effective November 1, 2023, the New Jersey State Police – Private Detective Unit will be eliminating the Security Officer Registration Act (SORA) hard plastic identification card and will be replacing it with an Electronic SORA ID (E-SORA). Please see the attached memo and instructions for additional information.
Note: The forms on this web page are the most current PDU related forms. If upon doing a web search on a specific form the link brings you to a blank web page, that means that the form is outdated & has been removed.
Security Officer Information
Security Agency Owner
Bounty Hunter Information
- No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
- Must attend a 24-hour Security Officer Registration Act Training Course instructed by a NJ State Certified Security Officer Instructor.
- Renewal every 2 years with attendance to 8-hour refresher course.
- No reciprocity with other states.
- No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
- Must possess a New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) or Retired Police Officers Program (RPO) to carry firearm as security officer. THIS CERTIFICATION ALONE DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO POSSESS A FIREARM.
- Must attend a 24 hour Security Officer Registration Act Training Course instructed by a NJ State Certified Security Officer Instructor.
- Renewal every 1 year with attendance to 8 hour refresher course.
- No reciprocity with other states.
- 25 years of age or older
- 5 years law enforcement experience or 5 years supervisory/management experience working for a security company licensed under this chapter of the Private Detective Act or the laws of another jurisdiction. Applicants cannot be employed or attached in any capacity to a law enforcement agency while holding a license.
- The Superintendent may require to show the good character, competency and integrity of the owners or operators of the security officer company. Each application shall be accompanied by the written approval, for each owner or operator of the security officer company, of not less than five reputable citizens who have known the applicant for at least three years preceding the date of application and who shall certify that the applicant is a person of good moral character and behavior.
- 25 years of age or older
- Combined 20 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter.
- Combined 15 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or as a supervisor for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, with an associate's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Combined 10 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, and a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited college or university.
- At least 5 years of law enforcement experience with an organized law enforcement agency, (or) at least 5 years of experience as a licensed private detective, (or) at least 5 years of experience as an investigator employed by a licensed private detective.
Security Officer Qualifications - Yellow Card (2 year Certification)
- No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
- Must attend a 24-hour Security Officer Registration Act Training Course instructed by a NJ State Certified Security Officer Instructor.
- Renewal every 2 years with attendance to 8-hour refresher course.
- No reciprocity with other states.
Armed Security Officer Qualifications Red Card (1 year Certification)
- No person shall be issued a certificate of registration as a security officer under the provisions of this section if the person has been convicted, as indicated by a criminal history record background check performed pursuant to the provisions of this section, of: a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
- Must possess a New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit (CCW) or Retired Police Officers Program (RPO) to carry firearm as security officer. THIS CERTIFICATION ALONE DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO POSSESS A FIREARM.
- Must attend a 24 hour Security Officer Registration Act Training Course instructed by a NJ State Certified Security Officer Instructor.
- Renewal every 1 year with attendance to 8 hour refresher course.
- No reciprocity with other states.
Security Company Owner Qualifications
- 25 years of age or older
- 5 years law enforcement experience or 5 years supervisory/management experience working for a security company licensed under this chapter of the Private Detective Act or the laws of another jurisdiction. Applicants cannot be employed or attached in any capacity to a law enforcement agency while holding a license.
- The Superintendent may require to show the good character, competency and integrity of the owners or operators of the security officer company. Each application shall be accompanied by the written approval, for each owner or operator of the security officer company, of not less than five reputable citizens who have known the applicant for at least three years preceding the date of application and who shall certify that the applicant is a person of good moral character and behavior.
Security Officer Instructor Qualifications
- 25 years of age or older
- Combined 20 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter.
- Combined 15 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or as a supervisor for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, with an associate's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Combined 10 years of experience working as a duly sworn law enforcement officer or working in a supervisory capacity for a security officer company licensed or recognized under this chapter, and a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited college or university.
Bounty Hunter Qualifications
- At least 5 years of law enforcement experience with an organized law enforcement agency, (or) at least 5 years of experience as a licensed private detective, (or) at least 5 years of experience as an investigator employed by a licensed private detective.
Contact information
Due to the recent rollout of E-SORA, we are experiencing a high volume of calls.
- For assistance, please contact:
- General Inquiries:
-
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
-
Mailing Address:
NJSP / PDU
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068
Contact Information:
Private Detective Unit
- (609) 882-2000 x: 2159
- Attn: Private Detective Unit -SORA
-
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068 - PDU@njsp.gov
Contact information
Due to the recent rollout of E-SORA, we are experiencing a high volume of calls.
- For assistance, please contact:
- General Inquiries:
-
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM
-
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068
Contact Information:
Private Detective Unit
- (609) 882-2000 x: 2159
- Attn: Private Detective Unit -SORA
-
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068 - PDU@njsp.gov
News / Updates (09/23/2021)
Marijuana Decriminalization Information:
The Security Officer Registration Act and SORA Rules & Regs have NOT been updated and/or amended to reflect the current marijuana laws in NJ as it relates to disqualifying drug offenses, specifically, marijuana. Please review the Attorney General’s Directive 2021-1: Directive Governing Dismissals of Certain Pending Marijuana Charges and Interim Guidance Regarding Marijuana Decriminalization.
It should be noted that the NJSP – Private Detective Unit does NOT provide legal advice and further inquiry regarding specific drug offenses should be directed to a legal representative. For additional information, please contact PDU at PDU@njsp.gov
The Temporary Certification to stand post for INITIAL Security Officer (Armed/Unarmed) applicant’s will revert back to the original 30 day time period immediately following this posting.