Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - Physical Security Certification (PSC)

Physical Security Certification (PSC)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), Physical Security Certification (PSC) is a part of Department of Defense's (DoD) Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) Certification Program. PSC is ideal for DoD, Industry, and federal members performing physical security functions. PSC assesses foundational knowledge in the following areas of expertise: physical security concepts; physical security standards; standards, countermeasures, and planning; and physical security planning and implementation. Candidates must be a DoD personnel or a federal employee or contractor assigned to a security position to be eligible for the exam. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Physical Security Certification (PSC)

The following Marine Corps Enlisted MOSs provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:

Enlisted Occupation	Occupation Type	Related As	COOL$
0311 Rifleman	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0313 Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0321 Reconnaissance Marine	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0331 Machine Gunner	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0341 Mortarman	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0352 Antitank Missile Gunner	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0363 Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Unit Leader	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0369 Infantry Unit Leader	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0372 Critical Skills Operator	MOS	Other
0393 Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Operations Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0399 Infantry Operations Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5831 Correctional Specialist	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
Marine Security Guard	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
Physical Security	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Some	COOL Bucks

The following civilian occupations are related to this credential:

Civilian Job	Job Family	Bright Outlook	Registered Apprenticeship	Local Salary Info
Loss Prevention Managers	Management			find local salary
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	Protective Service	Bright Outlook		find local salary
Security Guards	Protective Service	Bright Outlook	Apprenticeship	find local salary
Security Management Specialists	Business and Financial Operations	Bright Outlook		find local salary
Security Managers	Management	Bright Outlook		find local salary

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

Credential Prerequisite
Experience
Education
Training
Membership
Other
Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

Exam
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Practical Exam
Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

In-person exam
Remote proctored on-line exam
Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

Continuing Education
Exam
Continuing Education OR Exam
Fee
Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE)

938 Elkridge Landing Road
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

Phone: (410) 865-3232

Contact Page

Other REQUIREMENTS

The Physical Security Certification (PSC) credential has the following other requirements:

Candidate must be a DoD personnel or a federal employee or contractor assigned to a security position.

Candidate must obtain authorization from his/her employing Component or agency to participate in the SPeD Certifcation Program.

Candidate must be an employee in “good standing” by having his/her DoD employment status or affiliation confirmed by Component’s SPeD Certification Program Management Office (PMO) Point of Contact (POC).

Written Exam

Physical Security Concepts (22%)
- Physical Security Concepts
- Facility Access Control
Physical Security Standards (24%)
- Physical Security Standards for Storage of Classified Information
- Physical Security Standards for Special Assets/Resources
- Physical Security Standards for Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives
Standards, Countermeasures, and Planning (41%)
- Protective Barriers
- Key, Combination, and Lock Control
- Security Systems Devices
- Site Lighting
- Site Design Strategies
Physical Security Planning and Implementation (13%)
- Physical Security Planning and Plan Implementation
- Emergency Management/Emergency Response

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Physical Security Certification (PSC) examination:

Best Sources

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Physical Security Certification (PSC) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) testing process, visit the agency website.

Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:

Pearson VUE

The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

RECERTIFICATION

Physical Security Certification (PSC)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Physical Security Certification (PSC) credential has the following recertification information:

The Physical Security Certification (PSC) is renewed every two years. PSC certification holders must successfully complete and record 100 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and submit a Certification Renewal Form (CRF) during each two-year certification maintenance cycle.

PSC certification holders must maintain an active and up-to-date Security Training, Education, and Professionalization Portal (STEPP) account.

Additional information can be found on the CDSE Certification Maintenance website.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).