VIP Bodyguard Training

VIP bodyguards protect well-known celebrities and politicians.

VIP bodyguards, or executive protection agents, offer specialized protective services to celebrities, politicians and other famous clients. They work for security companies, protective services agencies, the U.S. government or are self-employed security professionals.

Preliminary Training

Many VIP bodyguards have military or police backgrounds.

Aspiring VIP bodyguards receive basic training in law enforcement and military environments. The next step is to enter training programs for executive protective services agents at ASIS International accredited security schools. ASIS International provides formal security training guidelines for executive protection schools in the United States.

Core Competencies

VIP bodyguards master three core skills.

According to Academy Security Training of Torrance, California, VIP bodyguards must have training in three integral areas: proper use of firearms, knowledge of first-aid and CPR and unarmed fighting methods.

Certification

ASIS International offers an important credential for VIP bodyguards called the Certified Protection Professional, or CPP. Ten thousand security professionals have earned this certification as of 2010.

Expert Insight

J.A. LaSorsa, a former U.S. Secret Service agent and an owner of an executive protective service agency in California, stressed the importance of the ASIS Certified Protection Professional credential. "In my opinion, if you can eventually pass the CPP exam, you will be fairly qualified to become an entry level security consultant."

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
• Academy Security Training: Bodyguard Training
• ASIS International: Certified Protection Professional
• J.A. LaSorsa: Executive Protection or Bodyguard Training as it relates to getting jobs in the Private Sector;