It is the hardest type of security work to get into. Not only do you have the usual requirements the client may have have odd and strict other requirements/requests. My boss for example hates fat and wanted someone who, and I quote "has no sympathy for fat people". He is Jewish and being as I might have to wear a swim suit there was a absolutely no tattoo rule, no matter how small. Those of course are not everyone's requirments but those were my bosses.

EP contracts as I quickly discovered are extremely rare. When I was offered my job I was told the odds of another coming available are extremely rare. The company I am contracted out to spends about $2M a year to provide 18 bodyguards for 2 of there executives and wife's. So it isn't common that someone has the $500k a year to get themselves round the clock security or 20 hours a day in my case.

Your best bet to get into the field is apply straight to a EP job. I worked as high end armed security for a college through a contractor that also did EP, so when a contract came available I was offered the chance to apply since I met the initial requirements.