Do you work in canine security, airport security, human surveillance or close protection? Visit professional card is the key to success to work legally as a private security agent in France. It attests to the professional's legitimacy and compliance with industry requirements. How do your employees obtain this official authorization ? When should it be renewed? Find out about all the formalities and obligations involved in obtaining a security guard's professional card.
What is a security guard's professional card?
A compulsory document for doing business
The professional card is an official title required for access to private security activities in France, in accordance with the French law on private security. Internal Security Code. It constitutes a prior authorization to practice, guaranteeing the reliability and morality of professionals in the field. In other words, you can't work without it!
As an employer, you are obliged to check validity of authorization before any hiring, and then hand over a company's own business card to the new agent.
This authorization covers several activities in the sector:
- human surveillance and guarding ;
- canine security (with a dog) ;
- airport security ;
- physical protection of persons ;
- video protection and remote surveillance ;
- cash transportation.
As a reminder, employing a security guard who does not hold a professional card exposes the company to the following penalties severe penalties 30,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
Issue and period of validity
The security guard's professional card is issued by the National Council for Private Security Activities (CNAPS). This public administrative body, under the supervision of the French Ministry of the Interior, monitors the morality and competence of its agents. It also guarantees that each professional complies with current regulations.
The card is valid for 5 years throughout France. Entirely paperless, it is equipped with a unique number which can be consulted via the CNAPS teleservice. It enables companies to check the validity of the individual title.
How do I get my business card?
Conditions of eligibility
To submit a request, several conditions must be met:
- Be of legal age.
- Possess French nationality, or that of a member state of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), or a residence permit authorizing you to work in France.
- Present a clean criminal record convictions incompatible with the profession (no correctional or criminal sentences entered in bulletin n°2).
In addition, the future employee must demonstrate professional aptitude. This may involve recognized training leading to a diploma, such as the TFP APS (titre à finalité professionnelle d'agent de prévention et de sécurité - formerly CQP APS) or the SSIAP (service de sécurité incendie et d'assistance à personnes). Otherwise, equivalent experience: police and gendarmerie, military...
Application stages
The procedure is carried out online via the CNAPS teleservices portal. After creating a personal account, the security guard must complete the application form indicating the desired activity or activities.
Next, he uploads the supporting documents required :
- valid identification ;
- photo ID to official standards ;
- Proof of address less than three months old ;
- training certificate or diploma proving professional aptitude,
- residence permit, if applicable.
The final step: validate the request, and keep the electronic deposit receipt. Once the application has been submitted, the future employee can track its progress online at any time.
Time and costs involved
The average processing time for a business card is 1 to 2 months. It may take longer, depending on the complexity of the situation, or in the event of an overload of work by the department responsible for processing the application. If the file is incomplete, the CNAPS will ask for the missing documents, which will extend the processing time even further. It is therefore essential to check your application carefully before submitting it.
The card is issued free of charge, but certain indirect costs must be anticipated:
- mandatory training;
- and passport photos.
A useful clarification: Book VI of the Internal Security Code requires individuals wishing to work in private security to obtain a prior authorization or provisional issued by the CNAPS, before entering training.
Renewal, suspension and withdrawal: staying in compliance
Professional card renewal
Is the professional card of one of your security guards almost 5 years old? It's about to expire, and must be renewed. Take care not to apply too late! In fact, the renewal request must be made at least 3 months before the expiry date of the current card, via the CNAPS teleservice.
To do so, the employee must provide proof of ongoing training known as MAC (maintenance and updating of skills). This course is essential and must be taken at an approved center. Without a MAC certificate, renewal of the card will be refused.
The renewal procedure is similar to the initial application, and requires up-to-date documents (ID, recent proof of address, MAC training certificate).
Suspension or withdrawal: possible cases
The CNAPS can suspend or withdraw a professional card in several cases:
- criminal conviction incompatible with profession ;
- serious breach of the code of ethics ;
- false declaration at the time of application ;
- repeated failure to meet professional obligations.
Result: the security guard's employment contract is terminated ipso jure, as stated in article L. 612-21 of the French Internal Security Code.
In the event of a threat to public order, an emergency suspension may be ordered for a maximum of three months. All decisions are notified to the person concerned, with details of how to appeal.
In the event of refusal or withdrawal
Two options are available:
- the administrative appeal with the CNAPS ;
- the contentious appeal before the appropriate administrative court.
In certain cases (missing training, incomplete file), a new application can be submitted after regularization.
As a reminder, carrying out private security activities without a professional card, under an employment contract as an employee, is punishable by a €15,000 fine and one year's imprisonment.
The sector's digital shift: simplified procedures and optimized monitoring
The digitalization of CNAPS
The CNAPS has embarked on an ambitious digitalization initiative that will benefit professionals in the field:
- a portal 100 % dematerialized allowing you to carry out all your formalities online;
- from automatic notifications by email at key stages in the processing of requests;
- a secure verification system business cards available to employers.
This digital transformation has considerably reduced processing times and improved traceability of requests, benefiting all players in the sector.
Efficient management of business cards within the company
For private security companies, the management of their agents' professional cards represents a major challenge. a major challenge for regulatory compliance. Thus, centralized HR monitoring of cards and deadlines is essential to avoid non-compliance situations that could result in sanctions and contract losses.
Seenet (Groupe Senef) offers a software solution dedicated to private security companies to automate tracking and ensure compliance. In particular, your employees have their own dematerialized professional card, accessible directly from their mobile, for completely legal interventions.
Find out how Seenet can help you optimize the management of your agents' business cards, request a demonstration of our customized solution!
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