What Is SORA and Why Does It Matter?
New York State's Security Guard Act — commonly referred to as SORA (Security Officer Registration Act), codified at Article 7-A of the New York General Business Law — establishes a mandatory registration system for all security guards working in New York. The law requires both individual officers and the companies that employ them to maintain registration with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
For building managers and property owners in New York City and across New York State, SORA is not just a compliance checkbox for your vendor — it is your legal exposure. Knowingly engaging an unregistered security company or permitting unregistered officers to work at your property can create significant liability. Understanding what to verify — and how to verify it — is a fundamental responsibility of commercial property management in New York.
What SORA Requires: Companies and Individual Officers
Security Guard Companies
Security guard companies operating in New York State must be registered with DCJS under Article 7-A. Company registration requires background checks of principals, proof of liability insurance, and adherence to DCJS standards for officer training and employment practices. ⚠️ Always verify current company registration status directly with DCJS — registration must be maintained continuously.
Individual Security Officers
Every individual security officer working in New York must hold a current DCJS security guard registration. The registration process includes:
- Criminal background check via fingerprinting
- Completion of required pre-assignment training (8 hours minimum — verify current DCJS requirements)
- Completion of on-the-job training requirements (16 hours — verify current requirements)
- Annual in-service training requirements
Officers must carry their DCJS registration card and present it upon request. ⚠️ All training hour requirements and specific procedures should be verified against current DCJS guidance, as requirements are subject to change.
What Building Managers Must Verify Before Engagement
Vendor-Level Verification Checklist
- Confirm the security company holds a current New York State DCJS Article 7-A registration
- Request a copy of the company's current Certificate of Registration and verify it is not expired
- Confirm the company maintains required liability insurance coverage
- Ask for the company's SORA compliance policy — how do they ensure all deployed officers are registered?
- Understand the company's process for handling an officer whose registration lapses
Officer-Level Verification
While building managers are not typically responsible for verifying individual officer registrations directly (that is your vendor's obligation), you should:
- Include a SORA compliance warranty in your service contract — the vendor warrants that all deployed officers hold current DCJS registrations
- Reserve the right to audit officer registration upon request
- Report any evidence of unregistered officers immediately to DCJS
Consequences of SORA Non-Compliance
The General Business Law provides for civil and administrative penalties for violations of Article 7-A requirements. ⚠️ For specific current penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms, consult legal counsel familiar with New York security regulation — do not rely on this article for specific legal or regulatory guidance.
The reputational and contractual consequences of engaging a non-compliant security vendor can also be significant — particularly for institutional tenants with their own compliance obligations (banks, healthcare tenants, government-affiliated offices).
Summit's SORA Compliance Commitment
Summit Facility Solutions maintains current NYS DCJS registration and requires all security officers deployed at New York properties to hold valid, current SORA registrations. Our compliance program includes:
- Pre-deployment registration verification for every officer
- Continuous monitoring of registration status
- Annual in-service training compliance tracking
- Client-available compliance documentation upon request
Summit's clients receive a SORA compliance warranty in every New York service contract. Building managers should not need to track officer registrations manually — that is our responsibility, and we take it seriously.