Most states that disqualify felons do so for all felons. In addition to felony exclusions, many states provide a list of nonfelony offenses that disqualify security officer applicants. Crimes that commonly appear on these lists include misdemeanors, acts of violence, sex offenses, drug offenses, weapons offenses, and theft. Other states employ general blanket prohibitions. For example, Washington excludes applicants who have committed any crime that relates to the duties of the job, while Connecticut excludes those who have committed any offense that would call into question their honesty or integrity.
Some states exclude applicants based on other factors.
Most of these requirements parallel the nonfelony offense exclusions. For instance, the requirement that applicants not be habitual drug or alcohol users mirrors the exclusion for drug offenses. Other common requirements exclude applicants on probation or parole, those given a dishonorable discharge from the military, or any wanted on outstanding warrants. A 1989 study conducted by William McCown, Judith Johnson, and David Eddy found that male security officers have significantly elevated levels of psychopathology, including depression, schizophrenia, and psychosomatic disorders. Nine states disqualify applicants based on mental health history.