Terms and Conditions
Welcome to Emerald Shield Academy’s Terms and Conditions. By using our site and services, you agree to the policies below.
By accessing, browsing, or using our website at emeraldshield.org or enrolling in any of our courses, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or services. These Terms apply to all users of the ESA website, including prospective students, enrolled students, and casual visitors.
1. Use of the Website
You agree to use the Emerald Shield Academy website and its features for lawful purposes only, and represent that you are at least 18 years old or have legal guardian consent.
- Interfering with or disrupting the site’s security or operations is prohibited.
- Unauthorized access to user data or restricted areas is prohibited.
- Content on the site is the intellectual property of ESA or its licensors. Reproduction or redistribution without express written permission is prohibited.
2. Course Enrollment Terms
All students are required to submit a valid digital signature as part of enrollment, confirming agreement to these Terms and Conditions. In cases where digital signing is not possible, a printable enrollment form can be signed and scanned.
A forged or unauthorized signature may lead to suspension of access, cancellation of enrollment, or denial of future access.
3. Course Access & Conduct
Access to courses begins upon successful registration and receipt of a valid signature. ESA may limit access based on prerequisites or other criteria, and students must complete work independently and honestly. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, unauthorized assistance) may lead to course failure or expulsion.
4. Fees, Payments & Refunds
Students are responsible for all tuition and associated fees. Late or unpaid fees may result in restricted access or withheld certification. Refunds are processed in accordance with the official Refund and Returns Policy.
5. Privacy & Student Records
ESA collects and stores student data in compliance with relevant laws. Information may be used to facilitate enrollment, communicate with students, and satisfy legal obligations. ESA does not sell or share student data for marketing purposes.
6. Website Availability & Updates
ESA strives to maintain access to its site and services, but downtime may occur due to maintenance, updates, or circumstances beyond control. ESA reserves the right to update course content, pricing, or platform features at any time.
7. Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability
ESA provides courses and services “as is” without warranties. ESA shall not be liable for damages arising from site use, access inability, or course content errors to the fullest extent permitted by law. Disputes are governed by Texas law and resolved through mediation or arbitration.
8. Changes to Terms
ESA may revise these Terms at any time. Continued use of the website or services signifies acceptance of updated terms.
9. Acknowledgements for Regulated Training Programs
Students who enroll in any Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security regulated training program — including Level II, Level III, and Level IV Security Guard courses, Personal Protection Officer (PPO), Firearms Proficiency, Basic Alarm, License to Carry (LTC), and related continuing-education courses — agree to each of the following acknowledgements as a condition of enrollment.
9.1 Legal Name Usage
The legal name under which you register is the exact name that appears on your completion certificate. You may edit your name in your profile at any time before the certificate is issued; once issued, ESA will not change the name on a certificate unless required by law. If you want a middle name on the certificate, include it in the "first name" field. Nicknames may not be used.
9.2 Criminal History
Under the Texas Private Security Act (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702) and Texas Administrative Rule 35.4 (37 TAC §35.4), a criminal conviction — and in some cases defaults on student loans or child support — may disqualify you from a registration, commission, or license under the Act. The list of disqualifying offenses and ineligibility periods is published by the Texas DPS Regulatory Services Division. You may request a criminal-history evaluation letter from DPS under Texas Occupations Code §53.102 prior to enrolling.
9.3 Registration & Termination
ESA or its instructors may deny your registration for any reason; if denied, registration funds are refunded in full. Once accepted, your training may be terminated for just cause — including non-compliance with the laws of any jurisdiction, safety or ethical violations, falsifying information, or any other inappropriate action. If discontinued for cause, your registration funds are forfeited.
9.4 Release of Records
ESA will not release your personal information or training records without due legal process. Records are released only to you, or to entities with a legal right to know (such as the relevant state licensing board). To request your own records, you must either authenticate to the ESA Learning Management System or submit a written request to the Registrar.
9.5 Firearms Eligibility
If your course involves the actual use of firearms, you may not participate unless you are legally permitted to use, own, and possess firearms in the United States under federal and Texas law. By enrolling in such a course, you affirm that you meet this requirement.
9.6 Social Security Number on Certificates
Texas DPS requires the last six digits of your Social Security Number to appear on the certificate for every Level II, Level III, Level IV, Firearms Proficiency, and Basic Alarm course. You must enter these six digits (no dash) in the "Last 6 of SSN" field in your ESA profile before completing the course. If they are missing from your profile when the certificate is issued, the State of Texas will not accept the training, and a $75 correction fee applies to re-issue the certificate.
9.7 DPS/PSP Registration Number
If you hold a Texas DPS Private Security Program (PSP) registration, your 8-digit PSP registration number (including any leading zeros) must be in your ESA profile before completing any continuing-education course that fulfills DPS CE requirements. Without it, the certificate cannot be accepted by the State. Students who have never held a DPS/PSP registration are not required to provide one for Level II entry-level courses.
9.8 Minimum Age Requirements
Some courses lead to certifications, licenses, or commissions with minimum age requirements set by the State (for example, 18 for a non-commissioned security officer, 21 for a commissioned security officer or Personal Protection Officer). Your date of birth must be in your profile before you take such a course. If you do not meet the age requirement and discontinue before the course starts, your registration funds are refunded. If you continue past the start without meeting the age requirement, you will not receive the credential and your registration funds are forfeited.
9.9 Device & Display
Online courses may be viewed on a desktop computer, smartphone, or tablet. A full-size computer screen is recommended for an optimal experience but not required.
9.10 Quizzes and Exams
Unless otherwise noted, online quizzes and exams are open book and notes, while classroom-based quizzes and exams are closed book and notes. The Level III final exam is delivered through a secure-browser proctoring environment: external lookups, books, and notes are not permitted, regardless of the open-book default for online assessments.
Contact Information
For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact: Emerald Shield Academy • 📧 support@emeraldshield.org • 🌐 https://emeraldshield.org