Physical Security Professional
Assess. Design. Implement.
ASIS International's board certification for professionals who assess physical security risks, design and integrate protective systems and implement security measures.
About PSP®
At a glance
- Certification: Physical Security Professional (PSP®)
- Awarded by: ASIS International
- Exam: multiple choice, 125 + 15 scored + pretest questions, 2.5 hours
- Passing standard: a scaled score of at least 650
- Recertification: every three years
What the exam covers
- Physical Security Assessment34%
- Application, Design, and Integration of Physical Security Systems35%
- Implementation of Physical Security Measures31%
Is PSP® right for you?
Who should take it
- Physical security specialistsDesigning and running protective systems.
- Security consultantsAdvising on physical protection and integration.
- Risk and vulnerability assessorsSurveying sites and recommending controls.
- Facility and operations managersResponsible for premises and people.
- Law-enforcement and military professionalsApplying protective experience in the private sector.
- Systems and integration engineersSpecifying and delivering security technology.
Benefits
- Focused on the disciplineThree domains centred on physical security, from assessment to implementation.
- Practical valueCovers the work you do: surveys, system design, integration and delivery.
- Professional credibilityIndependent recognition of your physical security expertise.
- A natural pairingMany professionals add PSP® alongside CPP® as their career grows.
- Continuing growthRecertification every three years keeps your knowledge current.
Do you qualify?
ASIS sets the requirements. Years of experience needed, by education level:
| Education | Experience needed | If you hold the APP® |
|---|---|---|
| No higher education | 5 years | 4 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent | 4 years | 3 years |
| Master’s degree or international equivalent | 3 years | 3 years |
Full-time physical security experience. General requirements: full-time security-related employment (current employment is not required; up to one year of relevant internship counts), no felony conviction that would reflect negatively on the profession, and agreement to the ASIS Code of Professional Responsibility. Source: ASIS Certification Handbook, updated 4 August 2026.
Five stages to exam readiness
- 1Onboarding & Baseline Assessment
- 2Domain-by-Domain Learning
- 3Consolidation & Overall Assessment
- 4Final Revision & Exam Readiness
- 5Certification & Application Support
Test your knowledge
Ten questions on PSP®, from easy to tough. It scores itself and shows the right answers. Nothing is saved and there is no sign-up.
Frequently asked
Who can sit the PSP® exam?
Candidates who meet the ASIS requirements for education and experience, hold full-time security-related employment (current employment is not required), have no felony conviction that would reflect negatively on the profession, and agree to the ASIS Code of Professional Responsibility. Use the eligibility check above for the experience requirement.
How long does preparation take with Citadel?
Your dedicated LMS access runs 4 months. The five-stage journey is paced to your exam window, with mentor interaction at each stage.
How do I apply to ASIS?
You apply online with ASIS. The application is reviewed, you receive an authorization to test, and you then schedule the exam with the testing provider. Citadel supports you through each step in stage five.
Does Citadel award the certification?
No. PSP® is awarded by ASIS International. Citadel provides independent professional mentoring to help you prepare.
I do not meet the requirements yet. What now?
Use the eligibility check to see how much experience you still need. You can begin structured study while you build experience, and we can talk through a plan.
PSP® is an ASIS International board certification. Citadel Security Consultancy provides independent professional mentoring and does not award the certification.