FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING NEW JERSEY’S S.O.R.A. LICENSING
We have listed some of our most frequently asked questions regarding S.O.R.A., the licensing requirements, and the application process below:
- What does “S.O.R.A.” stand for?
- Am I eligible to get a New Jersey S.O.R.A. card?
- Is my New York (or other state) Security License good enough to work in New Jersey?
- What are the requirements for certification & re-certification?
- Do I have to get fingerprinted?
- Do I have to take the S.O.R.A. Class?
- What happens if I let my S.O.R.A. Application or Card lapse (expire)?
- How long does it take to get my S.O.R.A. Card?
- What is a Digital S.O.R.A. Card?
- Is there still a 30-Day Temporary Work Permit?
- What happens if I have a Marijuana conviction?
- I applied for ARMED certification, how do I change it to UNARMED?
- What are the costs associated with getting a S.O.R.A. Card?
- Where can I get more information on S.O.R.A. certification/re-certification?
1. What does “S.O.R.A.” stand for?
“S.O.R.A.” stands for the New Jersey SECURITY OFFICERS REGISTRATION ACT. It is the New Jersey Law that regulates the licensing of Security Officers working in New Jersey, as well as Security Officer Companies and Owners (N.J.S.A. 45:19A et. seq.). All persons who wish to work as Licensed Security Officers in New Jersey are bound to comply with the provisions of this law, as well as the state’s S.O.R.A. rules and regulations (N.J.A.C. 13:55A et. seq.)
2. Am I eligible to get a New Jersey S.O.R.A. card?
You are eligible to be certified or re-certified under SORA, provided that you meet the following criteria:
a. You are at least 18 years of age or older at the time you apply.
b. You have NOT been convicted of a First, Second, Third or Fourth Degree Crime in NJ or equivalent level offense in another state.
c. You are not a Convicted Sexual Offender.
d. You have not been convicted of an offense involving Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (aka DRUGS) offense.
e. Any other offense deemed by the Superintendent of State Police to be a disqualifying offense.*
*NOTE: You may also be disqualified by the NJSP if you provide false information on your application, or if you omit required information!
3. Is my New York (or other state) Security License good enough to work in New Jersey?
NO, there is no recognition of any out-of-state security license which would exempt you from having to obtain a New Jersey S.O.R.A. card.
4. What are the requirements for Certification and Re-Certification?
FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION:
1. Apply online for an INITIAL S.O.R.A. APPLICATION
b. Schedule and get fingerprinted at an IdentoGo location.
c. Successfully complete a 24-Hour Basic S.O.R.A. Course and be photographed.
FOR RENEWAL/RE-CERTIFICATION:
a. Apply online for a RENEWAL S.O.R.A. APPLICATION
b. Successfully complete the 8-Hour S.O.R.A. Refresher Course and be photographed.
5. Do I have to get fingerprinted?
YES, you must submit to fingerprinting the first time you apply for SORA certification. You DO NOT have to get re-fingerprinted to renew your S.O.R.A. card UNLESS; 1) You have let your current card lapse (expire), or 2) You are applying for a different certification level (Unarmed to Armed, or vice-versa).
6. Do I have to take the S.O.R.A. class?
YES, it is part of the certification/re-certification process. New applicants must take the 24-hour Basic course, while renewal applicants must take the 8-Hour Refresher course. You cannot be certified/re-certified unless you successfully complete the class and are photographed by the Instructor.
7. What happens if I let my S.O.R.A. Application or Card lapse (expire)?
a. NEW S.O.R.A. APPLICANTS have 30-DAYS FROM THE DATE THEY SUBMITTED THEIR INITIAL APPLICATION to complete the requirements for certification.
b. RENEWAL S.O.R.A. APPLICANTS are required to complete the renewal requirements BEFORE THEIR CURRENT CERTIFICATION EXPIRES.
c. If you FAIL TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS in the required time frame, you will be required to RE-APPLY AS A NEW S.O.R.A. APPLICANT and be subject to all of the requirements (including fingerprinting) as a NEW S.O.R.A. APPLICANT.
8. How long does it take to get my S.O.R.A. Card?
As a general rule of thumb, you must allow approximately TWO (2) WEEKS from the date that you completed the LAST STEP of the process. You will receive an E-MAIL from the N.J.S.P. S.O.R.A. Unit advising you of your final application status, and if approved, you will be able to access your DIGITAL ONLINE CARD via your online S.O.R.A. account.
9. What is a Digital S.O.R.A. Card?
As of November 1, 2023, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) no longer issues physical plastic S.O.R.A. cards to security officers. The NJSP now issues the e-SORA card via your online S.O.R.A. account, which can be downloaded and printed along with your authorization letter. To access your online documents, you will have to log into your online N.J.S.P. S.O.R.A. account at: https://eapps.njsp.org/applicant/logon.do
10. Is there still a 30-Day Temporary Work Permit?
NO. The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) discontinued the issuance of the 30-Day Temporary Certificate of Registration effective as of October 1, 2024. Security Officer applicants will no longer be permitted to work as Security Officers until such time as they receive official approval by the NJSP.
11. What happens if I have a Marijuana conviction?
The New Jersey Security Officer Registration Act and the S.O.R.A. Rules & Regulations 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 New Jersey Attorney General’s Directive 2021-1: Directive Governing Dismissals of Certain Pending Marijuana Charges and the Interim Guidance Regarding Marijuana Decriminalization for additional information.
12. I applied for ARMED certification, how do I change it to UNARMED?
The New Jersey State Police provide NO mechanism for converting an Armed certification into an Unarmed Certification, or vice-versa. In order to change your status from Unarmed to Armed/Armed to Unarmed, you must RE-APPLY for the specific certification that you are looking for, and comply with all of the requirement for NEW APPLICANT. (If you are a current LADD student, please inquire about specific pricing for this training)
13. What are the costs associated with getting a S.O.R.A. Card?
As of December 1, 2024 the following are the current costs* associated with S.O.R.A. Certification / Re-Certification: (*These prices are subject to change without notice)
INITIAL CERTIFICATION:
a. NJSP Application Fee = $75.00
b. IdentoGo fingerprinting Fee = $68.98
c. LADD 24-Hour S.O.R.A. Basic Course = $98.00
RE-CERTIFICATION**:
a. NJSP Application Fee = $80.87
b. LADD 8-Hour S.O.R.A. Refresher Course = $45.00
**There is NO separate fingerprinting fee associated with renewal applications.
