Whether you’re applying for a Connecticut Pistol Permit, earning your Security Officer Identification Card (Guard Card), completing your Armed Guard Annual Requalification or looking to improve your firearms proficiency, Goldeneye Training Academy provides professional, state-compliant training designed to help you build the skills, confidence, and get certifications you need.
Instructor Certifications, Training and Affiliations:
Goldeneye Training Academy is a trusted provider of Connecticut firearm training, Connecticut pistol permit courses, and Connecticut security officer certification programs. Since 2012, we’ve helped thousands of individuals become licensed, confident, and properly trained for both professional employment and personal protection. Our classes are designed for beginners and experienced professionals — with expert instructors, real-world scenarios, and a commitment to safety and high-quality instruction.
Conveniently located in Orange, Connecticut, we serve students from across New Haven and Fairfield Counties and beyond who are looking to earn their CT pistol permit, start a career in security, or expand their defensive skills with multi-state firearm permits and advanced tactical certifications.
Certified firearms instructor through the NRA, USCCA, NRA Law Enforcement Division, Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection—Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.
Joseph Porto founded Goldeneye Training Academy with a commitment to professional, practical instruction that builds confidence, promotes responsible firearm ownership, and helps students successfully achieve their training, licensing, and professional-development goals.
The required certification course for obtaining a Connecticut Pistol Permit. Learn firearm safety, safe storage, Connecticut gun laws, and fundamental shooting skills through professional, hands-on instruction.
Meet the training requirement for your Connecticut Security Officer Identification Card (Guard Card). Gain the legal knowledge, safety procedures, and practical skills needed to begin a career in the private security industry.
Beyond the basic state requirements. Our courses include practical examples, live feedback, and real-scenario preparation to ensure you leave fully prepared — not just “certified on paper.”
With lifetime guidance and support. We don’t just train and send you on your way — our instructors offer continued support even after class if you need help with the licensing process, career direction, or further training.
With roots in the industry since 1999. With over two decades of combined field experience, our instructors have strong backgrounds in law enforcement, military units, and private security.
Join the hundreds of students who have trusted Goldeneye Training Academy for professional firearms, security, and medical training. With nearly 700 five-star Google reviews, our commitment to quality instruction and student success speaks for itself.
Contact us today to reserve your seat or learn more about our upcoming firearms, security, and medical classes.
Find answers to the most common questions about our Connecticut pistol permit, security guard, armed guard, and medical training courses.
Step 1: Check that you qualify. You must be at least 21 years old and a legal U.S. resident. Certain felony or misdemeanor convictions, restraining orders, recent psychiatric hospitalization, or illegal immigration status can disqualify you. The state can also deny a permit if it decides you are not a “suitable” person to carry a gun, even if nothing else disqualifies you. If you are unsure about your history, talk to an attorney first.
Step 2: Take an approved handgun safety course. You must complete a “Basic Pistol Course” (NRA, USCCA or Goldeneye Training Academy) including live fire. You must shoot a real semi-automatic pistol or revolver — simulators, dry-fire, air guns, and plastic bullets do not count. Two NRA courses do not meet this requirement: the Home Firearms Safety Course and the First Steps Pistol Orientation Program.
Step 3: Apply for a local permit. Apply through the police chief in the town where you live. This gives you a temporary permit. You cannot apply for the state permit without it.
Step 4: Apply for the state permit. Bring these to the Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU):
Legal alien residents also need an Alien Registration number and proof of 90 days of residency. Naturalized citizens need proof of citizenship.
Main SLFU office: 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457 — (860) 685-8290 Some satellite offices require an appointment. Call ahead — hours and rules can change.
Step 5: Complete your background check. The state will run a criminal background check and take your fingerprints and photo as part of your application.
Step 6: Wait for a decision. The state has up to 8 weeks to approve or deny your application.
Step 7: Once approved, keep your permit current.
The required Basic Safety Pistol Course fee varies by instructor, but Goldeneye Training Academy charges $120.00.
Mandatory application and processing fees include a $70.00 Local Permit Application Fee, a $13.25 Federal Background Check Fee, and a $75.00 State Background Check Fee.
Once approved locally, there is an additional $70.00 State Permit Processing Fee, plus variable fees for fingerprint rolling and any extra local departmental materials.
Both the Connecticut pistol permit and the CT guard card are valid for 5 years.
They are easily renewable by submitting the appropriate state fees.
The Security Officer Training Course fee varies by instructor, with Goldeneye Training Academy listing the cost at $100.00.
Additional state fees include a $100.00 State Application Fee and a $75.00 State Background Check Fee.
Federal Background Check Fees ranges are $13.25, and fees to take the prints vary by location and fingerprint technician.
After passing the class, you will need to complete an official background check and get fingerprinted.
You must also submit 2×2 passport-style photographs and pay the required background and application fees to the state.
Technically, no; you cannot work as a security guard without proof that your application is being processed and you are under the direct on-site supervision of a licensed security officer with at least one year of experience.
If law enforcement asks for your security identification and you cannot provide it, both you and your employing agency will face fines.
A CT guard card (Security Officer’s Identification Card) is the required government identification needed to work for a security agency as a standard guard in Connecticut.
A CT blue card (Security Officer Firearms Endorsement) is an endorsement on your current pistol permit that specifically allows you to work for a security agency as an armed guard.
You only need to take the initial CT blue card training course once.
However, you are required to complete a yearly armed security requalification with a blue card instructor using the specific firearm you intend to carry on duty.
Goldeneye Services charges $90.00 for the requalification of your first two handguns, and $15.00 for each additional handgun thereafter.
Yes, the CT blue card class includes a 50-question written test (multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks) requiring a passing score of 80% or higher and a live-fire qualification exam.
The live-fire qualification requires shooting 60 rounds from varying distances between 5 feet and 75 feet, requiring a passing score of 80% or higher.
Because this is an intermediate-level course, students who lack recent practice may struggle and are encouraged to schedule a private lesson as we offer an Armed Guard Prep Course first.
The Blue Card Training Course fee varies, with Goldeneye Services charging $200.00.
After receiving approval from your security company employer, you must pay an additional $62.00 processing and application fee to the State of Connecticut.
