Security guard license requirements by state

Most US states license unarmed security guards: 33 of the 50 states, and DC, require an individual guard license or registration. In 7 more, the state licenses the security company but not each guard, and in 10 there is no statewide license, though some cities and counties have their own. Armed guards need a separate firearm permit almost everywhere.

The table below lists, for every state, the body that licenses guards, what an unarmed guard needs, the training the state sets before or soon after starting work, the minimum age and the official page the facts come from. We checked each one on November 13, 2026, following how Guardix researches its guides. Rules and course hours change, so confirm with the state agency before you hire or apply.

Key points#

33 states and DC require each unarmed guard to hold a state license or registration.
7 states license only the security company; 10 have no statewide guard license.
Training before work ranges from a few hours to 40 hours (Florida), and several states add more training within the first months.
The minimum age for unarmed guards is 18 wherever the state sets one; armed guards are often required to be 21.
States marked "Check with the agency" set rules we could not confirm on an official page.

Security guard license requirements in every state#

States with a full Guardix guide are linked.

State	Licensing body	Individual license for unarmed guards	Training	Min. age	Source
Alabama	Alabama Security Regulatory Board	Yes: Security Officer License	8 hours of Board-approved classroom training with a Certified Trainer before applying (14 hours for Armed Security Officer)	18	Source
Alaska	Alaska Department of Public Safety	Yes: Security guard license	8 hours general preassignment training before temporary permit/application; 40 hours inservice within 180 days of employment (13 AAC 60.110)	—	Source
Arizona	Arizona Department of Public Safety, Licensing Unit	Yes: Security guard registration certificate	8 hours of preassignment training before acting as a security guard	18	Source
Arkansas	Arkansas State Police (Arkansas Department of Public Safety), Private Investigators and Security Companies	Yes: Private Security Officer (PSO) license	Phase I training, minimum 8 hours (Rule 10.3)	—	Source
California	Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)	Yes: Guard card (Security Guard Registration)	Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course before registration is issued; 32 hours of skills training within 6 months of registration (16 of them within 30 days); 8 hours annually	18	Source
Colorado	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Connecticut	Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Special Licensing and Firearms Unit	Yes: Security officer license	8 hours (first aid, search and seizure, use of force, basic criminal justice, public safety)	18	Source
Delaware	Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section	Yes: Unarmed security guard license (Yellow Card)	Check with the agency	18	Source
District of Columbia	DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Security Program, with final approval by MPD Security Officers Management Branch	Yes: Security officer license	At least 24 hours pre-assignment (plus 16-hour on-the-job course within 90 working days)	—	Source
Florida	Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing	Yes: Class D Security Officer License	40 hours of professional training at a licensed school or training facility	18	Source
Georgia	Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (Secretary of State)	Company license only	24 hours of classroom instruction in a basic training program	18	Source
Hawaii	Board of Private Detectives and Guards (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)	Yes: Guard employee registration	8 hours of classroom instruction from a Board-approved instructor before first day of service	18	Source
Idaho	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Illinois	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)	Yes: PERC card (Permanent Employee Registration Card)	20 hours of basic training within 30 days of employment, then 8 hours of training set by the employer	18	Source
Indiana	Indiana Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board (Professional Licensing Agency)	Company license only	Check with the agency	—	Source
Iowa	Iowa Department of Public Safety	Yes: Private security identification card (issued through a licensed agency)	Check with the agency	18	Source
Kansas	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Kentucky	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Louisiana	Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners	Yes: Security officer registration card	16 hours of board-required Security Officer Standards and Training before first work assignment (Act 683 of 2026, effective Aug 1, 2026; previously 8 hours within 30 days)	—	Source
Maine	Maine Department of Public Safety (Maine State Police)	Company license only	Check with the agency	18	Source
Maryland	Maryland State Police, Licensing Division	Yes: Security Guard Certification	12 hours of initial training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission	18	Source
Massachusetts	Massachusetts State Police, Certification Unit	Company license only	Check with the agency	—	Source
Michigan	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)	Company license only	Check with the agency	18	Source
Minnesota	Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services	Company license only	12 hours of preassignment training within the first 21 days of employment (Minn. R. 7506.2600)	—	Source
Mississippi	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Missouri	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Montana	Montana Board of Private Security (Department of Labor and Industry)	Yes: Private security guard license	16 hours	18	Source
Nebraska	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Nevada	Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB)	Yes: Work card	8 hours (completed within 90 days of provisional work card status)	18	Source
New Hampshire	New Hampshire State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit (Department of Safety)	Yes: Security guard license	Check with the agency	18	Source
New Jersey	New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit	Yes: SORA security officer certificate of registration	24 hours classroom (certified SORA instructor)	18	Source
New Mexico	New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Private Investigations Advisory Board	Yes: Level One security guard registration	8 hours (in-person, within 12 months before applying)	18	Source
New York	New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services	Yes: Security guard registration card	8-hour pre-assignment course (plus 16-hour on-the-job training within 90 days of hire)	18	Source
North Carolina	North Carolina Private Protective Services Board (Department of Public Safety)	Yes: Unarmed security guard registration	16 hours (within 30 days of permanent hire)	18	Source
North Dakota	North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board	Yes: Apprentice security officer registration	12 hours classroom or 12 hours field training	18	Source
Ohio	Ohio Department of Public Safety, Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS)	Yes: Security guard employee registration	Check with the agency	—	Source
Oklahoma	Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)	Yes: Unarmed security guard license	40 hours (Phase I 20 hours + Phase II 20 hours)	18	Source
Oregon	Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)	Yes: Unarmed private security professional certification	14 hours (unarmed basic classroom instruction, exam and assessments)	18	Source
Pennsylvania	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	Source
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General	Yes: Security guard employee registration/license	Check with the agency	18	Source
South Carolina	South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)	Yes: Security officer registration certificate	At least 4 hours basic training plus at least 2 hours company orientation	18	Source
South Dakota	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	—
Tennessee	Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Private Protective Services	Yes: Unarmed security guard/officer registration card	4 hours (orientation, legal powers and limitations, emergency procedures, general duties)	18	Source
Texas	Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, Private Security Program	Yes: Non-commissioned security officer registration	Level II training course and test	18	Source
Utah	Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)	Yes: Unarmed private security officer license	8 hours (DOPL-approved basic training course)	—	Source
Vermont	Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State)	Yes: Registered security employee (security guard registration)	8 hours approved training before registration	18	Source
Virginia	Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)	Yes: Unarmed security officer registration	18 hours entry-level (01E security officer core subjects)	18	Source
Washington	Washington State Department of Licensing	Yes: Security guard license	8 hours pre-assignment training	18	Source
West Virginia	West Virginia Secretary of State, Licensing Division	Company license only	Check with the agency	—	Source
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)	Yes: Private security permit	Check with the agency	—	Source
Wyoming	—	No statewide license	No statewide rule	—	—

Notes by state#

Alabama: Armed Security Officer license requires age 21 and 14 hours of training plus firearm qualification.
Alaska: Training rule is 13 AAC 60.110; official minimum age not found.
Arizona: Armed guards need a separate armed security guard registration with firearms training.
Arkansas: Armed guards need a Commissioned Security Officer commission, which requires age 21 (A.C.A. 17-40-337).
California: Armed guards need a separate BSIS Firearm Permit.
Colorado: No statewide license; local licensing in Denver (16-hour course, annual license), Colorado Springs, Greeley and Pueblo.
Connecticut: Armed officers must be 21, hold a pistol permit and complete 8 more hours of firearms training.
Delaware: Mandatory Board-approved training and exam required; armed (Red Card) guards must be 21 and complete a 40-hour firearms course.
District of Columbia: Special police officers have separate, higher training requirements.
Florida: Armed guards also need a Class G Statewide Firearm License.
Georgia: Unarmed guards are not registered with the Board but must be trained to Board rules; armed guards are licensed and must be 21.
Hawaii: Registration renews every three years with 4 hours of continuing education.
Idaho: No statewide license found; some cities license guards locally (e.g., Boise Security Personnel License).
Illinois: Armed guards must be 21 and need a Firearm Control Card.
Indiana: Only security guard agencies are licensed; their employees are not individually licensed.
Iowa: Guard must be hired by a licensed agency before applying; card is tied to that agency.
Kansas: No statewide guard license found; cities such as Wichita issue local private security permits.
Kentucky: No statewide guard license found; Louisville Metro licenses armed security officers and agencies.
Louisiana: Statute requires applicants be of 'legal age' (R.S. 37:3276) without a number; armed officers need board firearms training.
Maine: Contract security companies are licensed; guards must meet statutory qualifications and be reported to the Commissioner.
Maryland: Applicant must be employed by or applying to a licensed security guard agency or registered employer.
Massachusetts: Watch, guard or patrol agencies are licensed; employees file an electronic employee affidavit.
Michigan: Agencies are licensed; employees must be 18 with a high school diploma/GED and pass disqualification screening.
Minnesota: Agencies are licensed; employers submit employee fingerprints for background checks; 6 hours annual continuing training.
Mississippi: No statewide unarmed license found; armed guards need a DPS Security Guard (firearm) Permit under Miss. Code 97-37-7.
Missouri: No statewide license; Kansas City and St. Louis Boards of Police Commissioners license private security officers locally.
Montana: Training must be completed before working as a guard; employer internal-policy training does not count (ARM 24.182.807).
Nebraska: Secretary of State licenses private detectives only; no state security guard license found (local rules may apply).
Nevada: 8-hour unarmed training added by 2019 legislation; applicants must also pass the PILB work card exam.
New Hampshire: Governed by RSA 106-F and Saf-C 2200; initial unarmed training hours could not be verified.
New Jersey: Age 18 is set by N.J.S.A. 45:19A-4(b); 8-hour refresher required for renewal.
New Mexico: Age from NMSA 61-27B-16; training from 16.48.2.17 NMAC; online training does not qualify.
New York: Training courses are approved by DCJS; 8-hour annual in-service required.
North Carolina: Training must be taught by a Board-certified unarmed trainer.
North Dakota: Tiered system: security officer requires 1000 field hours and 32 classroom hours.
Ohio: Licensed Class A/C providers must register each guard employee (ORC 4749.06); no state unarmed training hours or age found.
Oklahoma: Must pass the Phase I/II unarmed exam; armed applicants must be 21.
Oregon: Basic training defined in OAR 259-060-0120; 4-hour renewal course.
Pennsylvania: No state license for unarmed guards; armed guards need Act 235 (Lethal Weapons Training) certification from State Police.
Rhode Island: Rules bar working for a security guard business until registered and licensed by the AG; employer files the employee registration statement.
South Carolina: May work up to 30 days after SLED receives the application, without arrest authority or firearm.
South Dakota: No statewide guard license found; any licensing is local (city), but no official source was verified.
Tennessee: Training by a certified trainer plus an exam under TCA 62-35-118.
Texas: Level II required under 37 TAC 35.141; age from Occupations Code 1702.113 via 1702.229.
Utah: No state exam for unarmed officers; training course final exam requires 80%.
Vermont: Registrants work under a licensed security guard; licensed guards need 40 hours; CPR certification also required.
Virginia: May work up to 90 days while completing training if fingerprints were submitted by date of hire.
Washington: Must be employed by or have an offer from a licensed private security company.
West Virginia: Firms must keep each employee's photo and fingerprints on file (W. Va. Code 30-18-7); no separate employee credential verified.
Wisconsin: Guards directly employed in-house by businesses are exempt; statute 440.26 says licenses go only to persons over 18, but permit-specific age not confirmed; no unarmed training mandate found.
Wyoming: No statewide guard license found; some cities may license guards, but no official source was verified.

How to read the table#

Individual license: "Yes" means each unarmed guard needs their own state license, registration or card. "Company license only" means the state licenses the security company, which is responsible for its guards. "No statewide license" means the state has no general guard license; check city and county rules where you work.
Training: what the state requires, in the state's own terms. Some states require it before the first shift, others within a set number of days after hire.
Min. age: the minimum age the official source states for unarmed guards. A dash means we did not find an official figure.

What this means for guard companies#

A company that works in more than one state has to track a different license, expiry date and training record for each officer, by state. Missing renewals and training hours are among the most common findings in a state audit.

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 renewals coming. See documents and certifications in Guardix, and training and quizzes for keeping each state's required hours on record. For the duties these licenses cover, see security guard duties and responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions#

Do you need a license to be a security guard?#

In most states, yes: 33 states and DC require each unarmed security guard to hold a state license or registration. In 7 states only the security company is licensed, and in 10 there is no statewide license, though some cities require one.

Which states do not require a security guard license?#

The states in the table marked "No statewide license" have no general state license for unarmed guards. Cities or counties in those states may still license guards, and armed guards usually need a permit.

How many hours of training does a security guard need?#

It depends on the state. Florida requires 40 hours before the Class D license, New York an 8-hour pre-assignment course and 16 hours on the job within 90 days, and California the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course before registration and 32 hours within six months. See the table for each state.

Can I use my security guard license in another state?#

Usually not. Each state issues its own license, and few accept another state's. Check the rules of the state where you will work before you take a job there.

Security guard license requirements by state: all 50 states and DC