How to get a security guard license in Washington State

To work as a security guard in Washington State, you need a private security guard license from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). You must be at least 18, be employed by or have a job offer from a licensed security guard company, finish 8 hours of pre-assignment training from a certified trainer, apply to DOL, get fingerprinted and pay a $101 application fee.

This guide walks through each step, the fees, the training you owe after you start, and the renewal. The facts come from the DOL pages Get your license: Security guards (unarmed), Fees: Security guards, Frequently asked questions: Security guards and Renew your license, and from the state law in RCW 18.170.105, RCW 18.170.040 and WAC 308-18-300, checked on November 13, 2026.

Key points#

• Washington licenses security guards through the Department of Licensing (DOL).
• You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and employed by or offered a job by a licensed private security guard company.
• Before you apply, you complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training from a licensed certified trainer. You must pass a DOL exam before you receive a license or temporary registration card.
• The unarmed license application fee is $101. The armed endorsement adds $10.
• After licensing, you owe 8 hours of post-assignment training within a deadline set by state law.
• You renew every year, up to 120 days before the license expires. The renewal fee is $95, or $110 if late.

Who needs a security guard license in Washington?#

DOL requires a license for people who work as private security guards for a licensed private security guard company. An armed guard needs an armed private security guard license as well, which RCW 18.170.040 says may take the form of an endorsement to the security guard license.

The rules in other states differ. Compare California's guard card, the Texas security license, the Florida Class D license and the New York security guard license.

Step 1: Check that you qualify#

According to DOL, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Be a United States citizen or resident alien.
3. Be employed by, or have an employment offer from, a licensed private security guard company.
4. Have no criminal convictions that directly relate to your capacity to perform the duties of a private security guard or that hinder public safety.

For an armed license, RCW 18.170.040 adds that you must already hold a private security guard license, be at least 21 years old and hold a current firearms certificate issued by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Step 2: Complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training#

DOL says you must complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training from a licensed certified trainer. The trainer signs the certification box on the front of the unarmed security guard application when the training is complete.

Under WAC 308-18-300, at least four of the eight hours must be in an organized, formal setting. You must also pass an exam designed and provided by DOL before you receive a license or temporary registration card.

Step 3: Apply and get fingerprinted#

You can apply online or by mail with the Private Security Guard Initial License Application. DOL says you must apply and receive an application number before you submit fingerprints.

In Washington, you schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO, the DOL fingerprinting vendor, and you pay IdentoGO for the fingerprints and the background checks your license type needs. If you live outside Washington, DOL says to contact your local law enforcement agency or the Security Guard program for instructions.

DOL says the application fee is non-refundable. It may take up to 60 days to issue the license after DOL receives the completed application and fee.

Can you work before the license arrives?#

Under RCW 18.170.105, a guard may be issued a temporary registration card after completing pre-assignment training and applying. The temporary registration card is valid for a maximum of 60 days. DOL notes that temporary registration cards cannot be used for guards with expired licenses.

Step 4: Finish the post-assignment training#

Once you are working, you owe 8 more hours of initial post-assignment training. RCW 18.170.105 sets the deadline by the date DOL issues your license:

The training can start the day after the temporary registration card is issued with your company.

Step 5: Renew every year#

You must renew your license every year, and you can renew up to 120 days before it expires. DOL says renewing and paying online through SecureAccess Washington is the fastest way to get your license, and you can also renew by mail with the Private Security Guard License Renewal Application. Update your contact information first if it has changed. DOL mails renewal notices as a courtesy, so renewing on time is your responsibility.

What employers should keep on file#

In Washington the employer is part of the licensing process from the start: the applicant must have a job or job offer with a licensed company, and the certified trainer signs the application. For each guard, keep the license number and expiry date, the pre-assignment training record, the date of the temporary registration card, and the post-assignment training record with the deadline it had to meet. For armed guards, also track the firearms certificate.

In Guardix, each officer's licenses and certificates sit on the Documents tab of their employee record with issue and expiry dates and a Valid, Expiring Soon or Expired status, so the office sees the yearly renewals coming. See documents and certifications in Guardix, and training and quizzes for keeping the post-assignment hours on record. For what the job involves once you are licensed, read security guard duties and responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions#

How do I get a security guard license in Washington State?#

Get a job or job offer from a licensed security guard company, complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training from a certified trainer, apply to DOL, then schedule your fingerprints with IdentoGO once you have an application number. The application fee is $101.

How much does a Washington security guard license cost?#

The DOL fees page lists $101 for an unarmed security guard license application and $10 more for the armed endorsement. Renewal is $95, or $110 if late. IdentoGO charges separately for fingerprints and background checks, and trainers set their own course fees.

How long does it take to get a Washington security guard license?#

DOL says it may take up to 60 days to issue the license after it receives the completed application and fee. A temporary registration card, valid for up to 60 days, can let you start work after pre-assignment training and applying.

How often do you renew a Washington security guard license?#

Every year. You can renew up to 120 days before the license expires, online through SecureAccess Washington or by mail.

How old do you have to be to be an armed guard in Washington?#

At least 21. RCW 18.170.040 also requires a private security guard license and a current firearms certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.