Accredited Executive Protection & Bodyguard Training
Named Best Executive Protection School for 2026 by EP Wired, Pacific West Academy, an Advanced Security Concepts, Inc. (ASC) company, provides a pathway to a career AI can’t replace. Our graduates benefit from an over 70% job placement rate and an average annual salary of $93,000. Our programs emphasize close protection, VIP protection, and professional readiness for high-level security careers. Lodging assistance is available upon request.
Accredited executive protection school · GI Bill® & Sallie Mae® approved · Industry hiring partners · Structured admissions-based program
Contact us today for more information about our training programs or to ask us any questions you may have about Pacific West Academy.
Lodging Assistance Available on Request
YOUR CAREER
Our Executive Protection
Training Programs
39-Day Certified Executive Security Specialist Program
Our flagship Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) program is the industry standard for professional bodyguard training and close protection training. Beyond the tactical curriculum, our difference lies in using elite bodyguard classes and executive protection courses to prepare students for high-stakes careers earning an average $93,000 annual salary.
12-Day Comprehensive Security Training
Looking for the most practical VIP protection training? The 12-day CST program provides the core competencies needed to launch a successful career in private security. This intensive course covers the foundational pillars of personal protection, acting as the definitive prerequisite for advanced bodyguard certification. Master the skills required for elite Executive Protection (EP) roles through hands-on, real-world scenarios.
Success Stories from Our Bodyguard
Training Graduates
Don’t take it from us, watch success stories from recent graduates of our Executive Protection Security Training Programs and hear for yourself.
Tyler Paul
Eric Gifford
Jamon Cleary
Tony Howell
Esteban Ferrera
Mike Brown
Brandon Williams
Luis Garcia
David Beach
Franzel Arive
ACCREDITED
PWA Is Approved by
ACCREDITED
Industry Hiring Partners
AFFILIATED
PWA Is Associated with
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION
Instruction Led by Active Executive Protection Professionals
Pacific West Academy instructors are active executive protection professionals with real-world operational experience. Our bodyguard training is delivered by former Special Forces and CIA instructors who have planned and executed high-stakes protective operations. This ensures students master professional standards, sound judgment, and elite decision-making under pressure through hands-on close protection training.
All instructors are vetted, credentialed, and aligned with Pacific West Academy’s instructional standards to ensure consistent, high-quality training.
SIZE US UP
Compare Executive Protection Courses
| Benefits | Pacific West Academy | CA Competitors | CO Competitors | FL Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | Assistance Available through Academy (Valued Day Rate: $188.00, Valued Total $13,160) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $175.00, Estimated Total Cost: $12,250) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $120.00, Total Cost: $8,400) | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $150, Estimated Total Cost: $4,200) |
| Equipment/Gear | Included in Program Cost | Included in Program Cost | Included in Program Cost | Some Supplies Included |
| Lentgh of Training | 10 Weeks | 10 Weeks Split Into Two Programs, 5 Weeks Each | 10 Weeks | 4 Weeks |
| Federal Accreditation | Accredited by ACCET | State License Only | State License Only | State License Only |
| GI Bill? Approved/ Months Deducted | Yes / 9 Months | Yes / 12+ Months | Yes / 10 Months | No |
| Program Cost / Daily Rate | $21,900 (Day Rate: $547.50) | $33,740 (Day Rate: $674.80) | $25,000 (Day Rate: $625) | $8,650 (Day Rate: $360) |
| Benefits | Lodging | Equipment/Gear | Lentgh of Training | Federal Accreditation | GI Bill? Approved/ Months Deducted | Program Cost / Daily Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific West Academy | Assistance Available through Academy (Valued Day Rate: $188.00, Valued Total $13,160) | Included in Program Cost | 10 Weeks | Accredited by ACCET | Yes / 9 Months | $21,900 (Day Rate: $547.50) |
| CA Competitors | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $175.00, Estimated Total Cost: $12,250) | Included in Program Cost | 10 Weeks Split Into Two Programs, 5 Weeks Each | State License Only | Yes / 12+ Months | $33,740 (Day Rate: $674.80) |
| CO Competitors | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $120.00, Total Cost: $8,400) | Included in Program Cost | 10 Weeks | State License Only | Yes / 10 Months | $25,000 (Day Rate: $625) |
| FL Competitors | Covered by Student (Estimated day rate: $150, Estimated Total Cost: $4,200) | Some Supplies Included | 4 Weeks | State License Only | No | $8,650 (Day Rate: $360) |
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Named Best Executive Protection School by EP Wired for 2026
Named Best Executive Protection School for 2026 by EP Wired, Pacific West Academy, an Advanced Security Concepts Pacific West Academy is proud to be recognized as the Best Executive Protection School by EP Wired for 2026. Supported by more than 1,000 alumni, this recognition reflects our commitment to serious executive protection training, bodyguard training, and career-focused close protection courses built for today’s high-end security industry. Our strong professional relationships help keep training relevant, practical, and aligned with real-world protective assignments.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
MMA legend, Bas Rutten
Pacific West Academy would like to give thanks to an MMA legend, Bas Rutten @basruttenmma.
Bas stopped by the academy yesterday and held an instructor development clinic with our Pacific West Academy Combatives cadre where we had the opportunity to share tactics and ideas in regards to combatives application in a close protection environment.
Bas Rutten
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Knockout Lights
In an effort to bring our students the most relevant and up-to-date training, Pacific West Academy is proud to team up with Mike @KnockOutLights for an exchange of ideas and training.
We continually establish professional relationships and train with some of the best in the industry.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
ASIS International
Pacific West Academy would like to announce to our past and future students that we have partnered with ASIS International and become part of their Preferred CPE Provider program.
Our Programs will now count as continuing professional education (CPE) credits toward ASIS recertification. The Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) program will count as a massive 348 CPE credits. This course alone will act as all the credit necessary to re-certify under any of the ASIS certifications.
We are happy to provide continuing education to security professionals and newcomers to the security industry alike.
ASIS International Partner with Pacific West Academy
What Our Alumni Say
OUR DIFFERENCE
Why choose our Executive Protection Training Programs over all others?
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Train in realistic environments, including classrooms, VR simulators, a live-fire 360 shoot house, and force-on-force facilities—designed to build real close protection capability for today’s protective services roles.
Qualified Instructors
Learn from certified professionals with real-world military and close protection experience, including former Special Forces and former CIA instructors—teaching practical methods for protecting high-profile and VIP clients.
Accredited
Affordable
A 10-week executive protection course with 70%+ job placement, industry hiring partners (ASC Protection / Crisis24 / Gavin de Becker & Associates), and lodging assistance available.
ADMISSIONS STEPS:
How Enrollment Works
YOUR FUTURE
Begin Your New Career
Send PWA your information and we’ll contact you about how we can help you take aim at a career in the EP security industry or hone your existing skill set.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Executive Protection Training Questions Answered
Executive protection is the professional protection of a person, family, or principal through planning, movement, situational awareness, discretion, and risk reduction. Unlike basic security, it focuses on protecting the client in changing environments rather than simply guarding a fixed location.
For the right veteran, yes. Veterans often bring awareness, discipline, calmness under pressure, accountability, and professionalism, which can translate well into executive protection when combined with civilian training and strong communication.
Many do. Veterans who combine maturity, reliability, situational awareness, restraint, and client-facing professionalism can be strong fits for the field. Tactical experience helps, but judgment, discretion, and conduct matter just as much.
Training is strongly recommended. Military experience can provide a solid foundation, but executive protection has its own civilian standards, professional expectations, and client-service side that are easier to understand through structured training.