CL · Expiry & renewal tracking
Never let a guard's refresher or specialisation course lapse
A security guard must pass the refresher course every four years, or the specialisation course when working at medium or high risk, of at least 36 teaching hours (DS 209, Article 89). If the deadline is missed, the full basic course is repeated; the certificate stays valid four years even if the guard changes employer.
Law 21.659 on private security repealed Decree-Law 3.607 of 1981 and Law 19.303 with their regulations (Article 115). To work as a security guard a person must meet the general requirements of Article 46, have passed a training course under the law and its regulation, and be authorised by the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention (Article 50). Guards must take training according to the level of risk they face and may hold specialisations according to the type of activity; the types of specialisation and how they are accredited are set by the regulation (Article 54).
The regulation, Decree 209 of 2024, organises guard training into three courses (Article 89). The training course qualifies a person to work as a guard whatever the risk level, is taken once only and lasts at least ninety teaching hours. The refresher course (perfeccionamiento) updates the training-course knowledge and accredits competence to work at entities that are not obliged to keep private security measures; it must be passed every four years and lasts at least thirty-six teaching hours. The specialisation course gives the competence to work at medium- or high-risk entities or activities, replaces the refresher course, must also be passed every four years and lasts at least thirty-six teaching hours.
If the guard does not take the refresher or specialisation course within the applicable period, the full training course must be taken again (DS 209, Article 89, final paragraph). Courses end with an examination before Carabineros de Chile and the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention issues a certificate through its online platform; for security guards that certificate is valid for four years, during which the course need not be repeated even if the person changes employer (Law 21.659, Article 60). The content, form, delivery mode and duration of the programmes are set by the Undersecretariat by resolution, on a proposal from the enforcement authority (DS 209, Article 107).
At a glance
| Rule | Law 21.659 on private security, Articles 50, 54 and 60; Decree 209 of 2024, Articles 89 and 107 |
|---|---|
| Training course | Once only, at least 90 teaching hours (DS 209, Article 89 No. 1) |
| Refresher course | Every four years, at least 36 teaching hours; for guards at non-obliged entities (DS 209, Article 89 No. 2) |
| Specialisation course | Every four years, at least 36 teaching hours; replaces the refresher for medium or high risk (DS 209, Article 89 No. 3) |
| If missed | The training course must be taken again (DS 209, Article 89, final paragraph) |
| Certification | Exam before Carabineros; Undersecretariat certificate valid four years, kept on change of employer (Law 21.659, Article 60) |
| Syllabus | Set by resolution of the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, on a proposal from the enforcement authority (DS 209, Article 107) |
| Enforcement | Carabineros de Chile; complaints filed at the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Articles 1 and 88) |
The regulation says the refresher or specialisation course "must be passed every four years" (DS 209, Article 89) but does not state expressly from which date the four years run. The Undersecretariat's certificate is valid for four years (Law 21.659, Article 60), so the practical reference date is the certification date of the last course passed.
Who is responsible?
The duty to pass the course rests with the security guard, who must meet it to keep the authorisation (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 89). The employer must prove every year to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention that its staff meet the general and specific requirements (Law 21.659, Article 47), and when renewing the authorisation the guard must prove the applicable courses (DS 209, Article 85).
If the deadline passes
If the refresher or specialisation course is not taken within the applicable period, the guard must retake the training course of at least ninety teaching hours (DS 209, Article 89). A person who does not meet the training requirements cannot be authorised or renew the authorisation (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 85), and the Undersecretariat must revoke the authorisation when a requirement is lost, unless it can be remedied, in which case it may suspend it temporarily (Law 21.659, Article 109). Offering or performing guard services without the Undersecretariat's authorisation is prohibited (DS 209, Article 86 No. 7), and breaches are reported to the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Article 88).
Course, credential and fitness: three different dates
The guard's authorisation and credential last four years from notification (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 85), the refresher or specialisation course is passed every four years (DS 209, Article 89) and physical and mental fitness is proved every two years (DS 209, Article 83). These are independent periods that need not coincide in the calendar. The credential is covered in the guard authorisation guide; this guide covers the course only.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add one record per guard with the certification date of the last refresher or specialisation course and set expiry four years later; the 60- and 30-day reminders leave time to enrol the guard with an authorised training institution.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
- The guard or the training institution can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the operations manager or HR lead; if the course is overdue, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must a security guard pass the refresher course?
- Every four years, with a minimum of thirty-six teaching hours (DS 209, Article 89 No. 2). The specialisation course, which replaces it for medium- or high-risk entities or activities, is also passed every four years (Article 89 No. 3).
- What happens if the guard does not take the course in time?
- The training course, of at least ninety teaching hours, must be taken again (DS 209, Article 89, final paragraph).
- Must the course be repeated on changing employer?
- No. The Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention's certificate for security guards is valid for four years and within that period the course need not be retaken even if the person changes employer (Law 21.659, Article 60).
- Who sets the course content?
- The Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, by resolution and on a proposal from the enforcement authority, sets the content, form, delivery modes, duration and specialisations of the training programmes (DS 209, Article 107). Courses end with an examination before Carabineros de Chile (Law 21.659, Article 60).
Sources
- Ley 21.659 sobre seguridad privada: artículos 1, 46, 47, 50, 54, 60, 88, 109 y 115 (LeyChile, BCN)
- Decreto 209 de 2024, Reglamento de seguridad privada de la Ley 21.659: artículos 83, 85, 86, 89 y 107 (LeyChile, BCN)
Last checked: Oct 14, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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