233 Boston Post Road, 2nd Floor, Orange, CT 06477
CALL: (203) 893-1722
Goldeneye Academy Logo
CONTACT US

CT Armed Guard (Blue Card) Requalification Course

Need to complete your annual CT Armed Guard requalification? If you already hold your Connecticut Armed Guard endorsement and need to stay current, Goldeneye Training Academy provides professional, state-compliant requalification training with the written exam and live-fire qualification required to maintain your Blue Card endorsement.

VIEW UPCOMING DATES
MORE ABOUT THE COURSE

Instructor Certifications, Training and Affiliations:

certifications-img-1.webp
utah-dept-of-safety-logo.webp
sig-sauer-academy-logo.webp
nra-logo-white.webp
badges-massachusetts-ussaa.webp

Complete Your Connecticut Armed Guard Annual Requalification

All armed security officers in Connecticut must meet additional state training and certification requirements. To obtain and maintain a Security Officer Firearms Endorsement, commonly called a “Blue Card,” officers must complete an approved 8-hour firearms course and return each year for refresher training and firearms qualification. This page covers the annual CT Armed Guard Requalification.

Our instructors are approved by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to teach the Security Officer Firearms Course.

Students must score 100% on the written exam and at least 80% (240/300) on the live-fire qualification. We strongly recommend practicing with the firearm(s) you plan to carry for armed security work.

Please contact us with any questions.

We offer discounted Corporate and Group rates. Please contact us to discuss how we can tailor our training around your needs.
Scroll down for pricing informaiton

Pre-Requisite

The following is required in order to sign up for this course:

Contact the Goldeneye firearms training staff if you are not sure about the suitability of your equipment.

Any unsafe behavior or violation of safety rules will result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Equipment List

The following equipment is required to participate in class:

Equipment & What to Bring

Pistols

Standard semi-automatic pistols are permitted.

  • Ammunition: Bring 60–240 rounds per firearm being used for qualification. If additional qualification runs are required, up to four separate 60-round qualification runs may be completed. The qualification scores are averaged for scoring purposes. Additional runs may need to be scheduled for another date depending on instructor availability and range operating hours.
  • Accepted calibers: .380, .40, .45 ACP, .357 SIG, 9mm, and 10mm.
  • Ammunition type: Factory brass ammunition only. Reloaded or hand-loaded ammunition is not permitted.
  • Ammunition should have ballistic characteristics consistent with the ammunition intended to be carried in the handgun after successful qualification.
  • Magazines: Minimum of three (3) CT standard-capacity (10-round) magazines. Four (4) magazines are required if the magazine capacity is below the CT standard capacity.
  • Magazine pouch: Minimum of one.
  • Holster: OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster with a retention device, such as a hammer strap or internal tension device.
  • Not permitted: Cheap nylon or leather holsters and inside-the-waistband holsters.
  • Eye and hearing protection: Required.
Revolvers

Double-action revolvers only. Single-action revolvers are not permitted.

  • Ammunition: Bring 60–240 rounds per firearm being used for qualification. If additional qualification runs are required, up to four separate 60-round qualification runs may be completed. The qualification scores are averaged for scoring purposes. Additional runs may need to be scheduled for another date depending on instructor availability and range operating hours.

  • Accepted calibers: .38, .357, 9mm, and .45 ACP.

  • Ammunition type: Factory brass ammunition only. Reloaded or hand-loaded ammunition is not permitted.

  • Ammunition should have ballistic characteristics consistent with the ammunition intended to be carried in the handgun after successful qualification.

  • Speed-loaders: Minimum of two.

  • Speed-loader pouch: Required.

  • Holster: OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster with a retention device, such as a hammer strap or internal tension device.

  • Not permitted: Cheap nylon or leather holsters and inside-the-waistband holsters.

  • Eye and hearing protection: Required.

Please note: All handguns will be inspected by Goldeneye’s firearms training personnel to ensure they meet manufacturers’ specifications.  Mechanical and/ or safety defects will result in the firearm being rejected.
Clothing
Appropriate clothing should be worn to include the following:
  • A baseball cap
  • Crew neck shirt
  • Long pants
  • Sturdy footwear, suitable for rapid turning.
  • Shorts, bare feet, sandals, and dress shoes are not allowed.
  • Sturdy belt to support holster and magazine pouches or speed loaders.
Contact the Goldeneye firearms training staff if you are not sure about the suitability of your equipment.
Have Questions? Let us know

Sign Up Below to Get Re-Qualified

This is the annual requalification course needed to maintain the Blue Card endorsement. Students must bring a minimum of 60 rounds of ammunition for each firearm they wish to qualify with. Eye and hearing protection are required and are not guaranteed to be available for loan at the range. Current pricing and available dates are listed below.

Need to be re-qualified sooner? Time ran out and never had the chance to get it done?

CT State Police requires all armed guard endorsements to be qualified one time per calendar year (January 01 – December 31). If you go pass December 31, your endorsement expires. There are no grace periods. You will then need to retake the initial Armed Guard Endorsement Course. If this is the case for your situation, please sign up for the initial course. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Contact us today to reserve your seat or learn more about our upcoming firearms, security, and medical classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I take my requalification?

You must complete your armed guard requalification once every calendar year. You may take it anytime between January 1 and December 31 of that year.
Your annual requalification must be completed by December 31. If you do not complete it by then, you will need to restart the process by taking our Initial Armed Guard Endorsement Course. You cannot work an armed security assignment until your credentials are current.
Yes. Your registration fee includes qualification with up to two firearms. Additional firearms may be added for $15 each.
Yes. Bring the firearm you want to add or change. We can update your qualification information before you begin the live-fire portion.

The Connecticut POST firearms qualification is a 60-round course of fire conducted at distances from 2 to 25 yards. You will shoot at a POST CM-5 target from several positions and distances. The course includes standing and kneeling, shooting from behind cover, strong-hand and support-hand shooting, and close-quarter shooting. The maximum score is 300 points, and you must score at least 80% (240 points) to pass. If additional qualification runs are required, up to four separate 60-round qualification runs may be completed and the scores are averaged. Additional runs may need to be scheduled for another day depending on instructor availability and range hours.

Yes. You must score 100% on the written exam before moving on to the live-fire qualification. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam at no additional charge until you pass.

If additional qualification runs are required, up to four separate 60-round qualification runs may be completed. The qualification scores are averaged for scoring purposes. Additional runs may need to be scheduled for another date depending on instructor availability and range operating hours. A separate re-test fee may apply.

Possibly. Same-day retesting depends on instructor availability and range operating hours. If a same-day retest is not available, you will need to return on another date.

Yes. We strongly recommend practicing with the firearm you plan to qualify with. At a commercial range, focus on controlled, accurate shooting from 4 to 25 yards, especially at the longer distances. If the range allows it, practice shooting with your strong hand and support hand separately. Most commercial ranges do not allow drawing from a holster, kneeling, shooting from cover, or close-quarter shooting. Do not practice these skills unless the range specifically allows them. Focus on accuracy and good shooting fundamentals rather than speed.
Yes. Goldeneye offers an Armed Guard Preparation Private Lesson, a one-hour private lesson for armed security officers who want additional preparation before requalification. You will work one-on-one with a Goldeneye Armed Guard Instructor on skills relevant to the qualification course.
A Valid CT Identification (Driver’s License, State ID, etc)
Your registration fee includes range fees, participant and range materials, and your certification paperwork. Ammunition is not included, but it may be purchased when you register. Eye and hearing protection and magazine holders may also be available to rent.
No. Your Connecticut Pistol Permit and Security Officer Identification Card must be current. Please contact us if either credential has expired so we can explain your next steps.
No. You do not need to be currently employed by a security company to take the requalification. However, you must be employed and properly rostered by a licensed security company to maintain your armed security endorsement.
Yes. We offer flexible billing and registration options for security companies. Have your employer contact us to discuss the available options.
Yes. We can provide private armed guard requalification training for security companies and other agencies. Contact us to discuss scheduling and group training options.
You are responsible for submitting your completed paperwork. Goldeneye will provide you with the required documents and printed instructions explaining how to complete the process.
Contact Goldeneye to request a replacement certificate. There is a $25 replacement fee. We strongly recommend taking clear photos of both sides of your completed certificate before mailing it. This gives you a backup copy in case the original is lost.

Click here to view upcoming dates and register for your requalification.

VIEW COURSE DATES