Frequently Asked Questions

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SORA Training

INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

SORA is a 3 step process:

Step One:        Select a certified Initial SORA Training Class

Step Two:        Register with the NJ State Police to receive a SORA Application ID Number

Step Three:     Schedule an appointment & get fingerprinted by IdentoGo by MorphoTrust

 

Step One:     Select a certified Initial SORA Training Class

A core function of the SORA process is the completion of the Initial SORA Training Class. Most of the training that we are currently offering are Virtual SORA Training Classes.  While we still offer In-Person training, it is being scheduled on and individual student basis.  If you wish to sign up for an In-Person Class, please call our office at (201) 473 – 7045, or email us at [email protected] for more information. If you attempt to call outside normal business hours, please leave a voicemail message and we will return your call.

We offer 2-day Virtual Initial SORA Training classes, at least once-a-week.  We also offer a 2-Day Virtual Initial SORA Training Class on a weekend, once a month.  It is suggested that you select the dates you wish to attend FIRST.

 

Once you register for a class, we will send you a confirmation email, within 24-hours of registration.  If you do not receive the email, please call our office at (201) 473 – 7045 and let us know. In the days prior to the class, you should receive multiple reminder emails.  It is recommended that you read these emails from start to finish, as they contain vital information about the class.

To take a class, you need to have two forms of US Government-Issued ID (one with a photo), and an Application ID Number issued by the NJ State Police (explained in Step Two).   Our system requires payment for the class online, with a credit/debit card, as part of the scheduling process.  It is possible to register for the class without a credit/debit card, but you will need to contact our office at (201) 473 – 7045 to discuss how this can be done.

It is recommended that you complete the next step in the SORA Certification Process (Step TWO:  Register with the NJ State Police to obtain a SORA Application ID Number) 3 – 5 days before the start of the class…

Step Two:     Register with the NJ State Police to obtain a SORA Application ID Number

It is MANDATORY to register with the NJ State Police. You may register at https://eapps.njsp.org/applicant/logon.do. You will not be able to attend class if you do not register with the NJ State Police. When you complete your registration with the NJ State Police you will receive a SORA Application ID Number.  We recommend taking a picture of the Application ID Number with your cell phone before you leave the NJ State Police Website.  You will need to send us proof of the Application ID Number for the class.

If you would prefer, NJ Guard can register you with the NJ State Police to receive the SORA Application ID Number.  Select the $96 Add-On service for State Police Registration Assistance while registering for the class on our website, and complete the required Data Form in its entirety (Be sure to sign & date the Data Form).  The $96 fee for Registration Assistance includes the $75 registration fee payable to the NJ State Police. If you select this add-on, NJ Guard will register you with the NJ State Police approximately 3-days prior to your SORA Training Class.  Once registration with the NJSP is completed, NJ Guard will email your Application ID Number and NJSP Login Information to the email address provided during registration on our website.

Step Three:      Schedule an appointment & get fingerprinted by IdentoGo by MorphoTrust 

YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE YOUR FINGERPRINTING COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE CLASS, however it is STRONGLY recommended that you make an appointment as soon as possible after completing your registration with the NJ State Police.  Depending on the IdentoGo location you choose, you may be scheduling your appointment 2-3 weeks in advance of your actual appointment date.  To minimize the chance of errors in scheduling your appointment, it is recommended that you access the IdentoGo Appointment Scheduling System directly through the NJ State Police Website.

Click Here to view our training video “How to Schedule Your Fingerprinting Appointment with IdentoGo, through the NJ State Police Website”

IdentoGo does not take payments over the Internet.  Payments must be made in person, with a credit/debit card or money order, at the time of your appointment.  No cash or checks are accepted in the IdentoGo Locations.  You MUST be on-time for the appointment, with the form of ID you chose during scheduling.  This will be the only form of ID accepted for fingerprinting. If you arrive late, you may be turned away.

Please call our office at (201) 473 – 7045 if you have any questions regarding the class, the steps in the SORA Certification Process, or for any additional information you might need.

** PLEASE NOTE **

As of November 1, 2023, the NJ State Police began issuing E-SORA Licenses & Approval Letters to all approved applicants in the SORA Training Process.  You must download your E-SORA License & Approval letter directly from the NJ State Police website ONCE approved.

Click here to view our training video “How to Download Your E-SORA License & Approval Letter”

(Unarmed SORA License - 2 years) ~ (Armed SORA License - 1 year)
Any individual caught working as a Contract Security Officer in the State of NJ without a valid SORA license will be fined up to $1,000 per offense, and could be barred from working as a security officer in the future.
These companies often charge VERY high rates for their classes. Although you are not paying up front for the class, you are still paying. Some companies even offer the class for free if you are with them for a period of time. However, if you leave the job within that time, you are often required to pay for the training. Independent schools are much cheaper, often have better training and offer employment referrals.
Your registration information to our SORA training program is entered into our database. The class roster will be sent to the NJ State Police the day before the class. If you fail to attend this class, you will be responsible for the seat you have purchased, and possibly a reassignment fee. If you are unable to attend the class, simply contact our office and advise us of the issue. We can assign you to another class at a later date. However, please understand that you have purchased a service and are responsible for the fee.
We do our best to keep our prices as low as possible. The cost of the Initial SORA Training class is higher as this is a two-day class, while the SORA Recertification Class is a one-day class.
If you fail to complete all three steps of the SORA process within 30 days, your Application ID Number issued by the NJ State Police will expire and the money you have paid will not be refunded. You will be eligible to re-register with the NJ State Police, at which time they will issue you another Application ID Number. But they will require you to repay their application fee in order to continue the application process. We suggest contacting NJ Guard, prior to reregistering with the NJ State Police, if this situation occurs. We will discuss your situation with you and assist you in determining what the proper course of action may be for your individual circumstances.
No. You must complete the SORA Training Process, be issued a valid E-SORA License, and be able to show proof of that license upon request, in order to work as a contract security officer in the State of NJ.
The time to complete each step depends greatly on you. The Registration with the NJ State Police is approximately a 7-minute online process. The class is a two-day class. And the fingerprinting usually takes about 2 minutes, it's more a matter of getting the appointment. Once you have completed all three steps; the NJ State Police should process your application within 10 business days.
As a part of the process for SORA certification, a background check will be conducted. Crimes involving moral turpitude, controlled substances and any 4th degree crime or greater will prohibit an individual from receiving SORA certification. NJ Guard Training Academy does not have the authority to clarify any information regarding this area or any individual’s background. Questions pertaining to criminal history and/or background checks can only be addressed by the NJ State Police. Kindly submit all inquiries regarding criminal history to [email protected]. Since the NJSP does not do refunds for ANY reason, if you have an issue in this area either contact the NJSP for guidance or play it safe and don’t apply for SORA.

Recertification

RECERTIFICATION INFO

** PLEASE NOTE **

As of November 1, 2023, the NJ State Police began issuing E-SORA Licenses & Approval Letters to all approved applicants in the SORA Training Process.  They no longer issue hard-plastic SORA Cards.  You must download your E-SORA License & Approval letter directly from the NJ State Police website ONCE approved.  (Click here to view our training video “How to Download Your E-SORA License & Approval Letter”)

All SORA security personnel can renew up to 90 days PRIOR to their expiration date. Renewing early will NOT affect or change your 2 year term. You must renew BEFORE your expiration date.
If you failed to register and complete the recertification process before your expiration date you must complete the original process over again. To see the original 3 step SORA training / SORA certification process click here.
To renew, you must log into your NJ State Police account Then, click on “Renewal Applicant” > “My Applications” > “Security Officer” > “Submit Renewal” YOU MUST HAVE YOUR CREDIT CARD ON HAND BEFORE YOU START THIS PROCESS. (For your protection, the website will log you out if you take too long on any page)
The cost is $78.75 to renew with the NJSP, PLUS the cost of the one day mandatory recertification class.
Yes, you must obtain a one day refresher course by a NJSP certified instructor PRIOR to your expiration date.
With your original process, the registration with the NJSP and the fingerprinting were two separate steps. With the renewal there is no need to get your fingerprints re-done; therefore, the processing of your background check and the renewal fee are blended together and therefore less than the original process of $75 + $66.
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