PSIRA Guard Grading System – What it Means and How Does it Work?

PSIRA Guard Grading – What it means and How Does it Work?
The roles and responsibilities of guards differ and are dependent on the grade that the guard has obtained. The lowest grade for security officers in South Africa is grade D, with the highest being grade A.

PSIRA Grade A Security Guards: A Grade A security officers’ main function would normally be a site manager or commander. Controlling and managing a number of functions. Managing the security workforce, Conducting risk assessments and evaluations on site daily. Basic investigative skills. Problem solving. Designing security solutions.

PSIRA Grade B Security Guards: A Grade B security officers’ main function is access control in high-risk areas where documentation and basic computer skills might be required. A site or shift commander. Managing of lower grade security officers. Possible inspector doing site visits.

PSIRA Grade C Security Guards: A Grade C security officer’s main function is access control of a higher risk area and supervision of lower grade security officers. PSIRA Grade D Security Guards: Grade D security officers’ main function is access control.

How does it work? The South African private security sector is governed by the Private Security Regulation Act, which states that all guarding security officers must be registered before they may be employed. Companies that employ their own in-house security offices need to be registered with PSIRA as a security provider. Security guards are graded according to their qualifications, experience and training. Guarding South Africa goes one step further by conducting the following:

  • Aptitude test
  • Site specific tests
  • Pre-employment polygraph testing
  • Security screening

Prices are governed by PSIRA and can be viewed on the PSIRA website.

See also  Verification is easy on the PSiRA App - for Security Officers, Security Businesses and to also verify course reports.

How do I renew my expired certificate?
Security businesses can now renew the certificates and/or PSiRA ID cards for those security officers in their employ at any of our nine branches, without any of the security officers having to physically visit the PSiRA branch offices. The process is divided into first and second renewals.

How long does it take to get your certificate?
This process will take ± 6-8 weeks with PSIRA. The client will receive an SMS Notification from PSIRA once the Registration Document is ready for collection. Only the registered client must collect his/ her PSIRA certificate & card at PSIRA (Training Providers are not allowed to collect on behalf of any client).