Centex Sentinel Training Academy is a new private security training school being built in the Waco area — Texas DPS–aligned coursework you can take online, finished with hands-on range and skills days in person. No classroom marathons, no guesswork about TOPS.
Security Officer Licensing
Courses follow the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program curriculum. Tuition covers training only — DPS application, fingerprint, and state fees are paid separately to the state. Enrollment opens with our launch; join the interest list and we'll email you dates before they post publicly.
The entry point for unarmed security work in Texas. Required before you can be employed as a non-commissioned security officer.
The full armed-officer course: law, defensive tactics, and firearms proficiency, finished with a live-fire qualification in person.
Continuing education plus firearms requalification for commissioned officers renewing in TOPS. Start early — a complete renewal filed before expiry keeps your license in effect while DPS processes it.
For experienced commissioned officers moving into executive protection and bodyguard work. Requires an active Level III commission.
Continuing education for non-commissioned officers, completed at your own pace before your registration expires.
Hands-on less-lethal and defensive tactics block that pairs with Level III or stands alone for officers whose post orders require it.
The full Texas License to Carry course done in person with a licensed instructor — classroom instruction and the shooting proficiency test together.
Take the classroom portion of the Texas License to Carry course online, then complete the shooting proficiency test in person separately — Texas requires the proficiency demonstration in person.
Tuition shown is launch pricing for planning purposes and may change before enrollment opens. Texas DPS state fees (application, fingerprints, pocket card) are separate and set by the state.
Launching Soon · Separate From Licensing
Alongside the licensing courses, we're building a standalone firearms program for security officers and responsible gun owners who want structured, instructor-led range time — not a licensing course, and not a substitute for one. Dates will be announced to the interest list first.
For new and returning shooters who want the basics done right, from day one.
For shooters with fundamentals in place who want to run a handgun under realistic defensive conditions.
Structured, supervised range sessions so practice time actually builds skill instead of just burning ammo.
Classroom concepts, drills, and range-day walkthroughs will be published on the BigBackJosh YouTube channel as the program launches. Subscribe now so the first videos land in your feed.
Watch on @bigbackjoshVideos are a supplement to in-person instruction — they don't replace a licensing course or a live-fire qualification.
How Training Will Work
Most of your hours happen online, on your schedule. The parts that have to be hands-on — firearms proficiency and defensive tactics — happen in person with an instructor watching every rep.
The Road to a Texas License
Training is one piece. Here's the full sequence DPS expects — we walk you through each step so your application doesn't stall.
Be 18 or older, legally able to work in the U.S., and able to pass the DPS background check. Some offenses disqualify — check before you spend a dollar.
Finish your Level II or Level III course and pass the exam. Armed courses finish with an in-person firearms proficiency demonstration.
Submit your application through the Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) portal and upload your training certificates (including the PSP-31 for Level III).
Complete fingerprinting through the state vendor, then wait on DPS review. Final approval — and your pocket card — comes from DPS, not from us.
Plan Before You Pay
Two quick tools. The checker is a plain-language guide, not legal advice — DPS makes every final eligibility call.
Answer three questions for a first-pass read on Texas security officer eligibility.
Build your total before you commit. State fees are estimated from published DPS schedules and paid to the state, not to us.
Estimates only. Confirm current DPS fees in TOPS before applying — state schedules change.
Planned Rhythm
We're launching with a simple, repeatable rhythm so working officers can plan around shifts. Exact start dates go to the interest list first.
Self-paced online courses start the day you enroll — finish in a weekend or across a few evenings after your shift.
Online coursework opens at the start of the month; the cohort meets for one scheduled range & skills day in the Waco area to finish.
Defensive tactics, OC certification, requalifications, and Firearm Training Program sessions run on scheduled range days.
Who's Behind It
Centex Sentinel Training Academy is being founded by a Texas Level III commissioned (armed) security officer who has been through the licensing and renewal process from the student side — including the parts nobody explains until you're stuck in TOPS at midnight.
The idea is simple: honest pricing, online coursework that respects a working schedule, range days that actually teach, and straight answers about what DPS requires. The school is in its launch phase now — curriculum and DPS training-school approval are being finalized before the first cohort enrolls.
Learn Between Classes
The library launches with the school. Here's what's in the works — slots are open now and will fill in as content publishes. Nothing here is live yet, and we'd rather say so than dress up an empty shelf.
Conversations on Texas security work, licensing, and range training — published on the BigBackJosh YouTube channel at launch.
Plain-English guides on TOPS, renewals, gear, and getting hired — written from the officer's side of the process.
Reviews will appear here once the first cohorts finish training. We won't publish testimonials for classes that haven't run yet.
Straight Answers
The questions every Texas security student asks first.
Level II is the non-commissioned (unarmed) registration — a 6-hour course. Level III is the commissioned (armed) license — a 40-hour course with defensive tactics and a live-fire firearms proficiency requirement. You need Level II training first or as part of the path, and most armed posts require an active Level III commission.
Yes — Texas allows the classroom portion of Level II, Level III, and renewal courses to be delivered online by an approved training school. What can't be done online is the hands-on part: firearms proficiency and defensive tactics are completed in person on a scheduled range/skills day.
No — and be wary of anyone who says otherwise. The school certifies your training. You then apply through TOPS, complete fingerprinting, and the Texas Department of Public Safety decides whether to issue your registration or commission.
Start before it expires. If your complete renewal is submitted before the expiry date, your license generally stays in effect while DPS processes it. Miss the date and the fees climb — 1.5× during the first late window, 2× after that — and after a year expired you can't renew at all and must apply as a new applicant. You also can't work armed on an expired commission.
No. The Firearm Training Program is skills training — fundamentals, defensive pistol, and coached range practice. It carries no license and doesn't satisfy any DPS requirement. Level III range days are separate and end with the official proficiency demonstration your application needs.
We're in the launch phase now — finalizing curriculum and training-school approval. Join the interest list below and you'll get start dates, cohort size, and enrollment links before they're posted publicly.
A valid photo ID, eye and ear protection, and — for qualification — your duty handgun and holster if you have them (rentals are available if you don't). Ammo requirements for your specific course are sent with your range-day confirmation.
Tell us which course you're after and we'll email you launch dates and enrollment details as soon as they open. No spam — launch updates and class announcements only.