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How to Get a Security Guard Card or License (50 State Guide)

|Sandra von Eschenbach

Pursuing a career as a licensed security guard is a valuable and increasingly in-demand path within the public safety and private protection sectors. This guide outlines the key distinctions between armed and unarmed positions, explains how to navigate the licensing and renewal process, and offers practical tips to help you remain compliant and prepared throughout your security career.

General Steps for Earning a Security Guard License

Requirements for earning a security guard license or guard card vary from state to state. While some states have consistent requirements, others leave it up to the city or even employer to establish what’s expected of a security guard. In general, most jurisdictions follow these general guidelines for guard card licensure.

1. Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for a security guard license, you’ll need to meet the basic qualifications. Most states require applicants to be at least 18 years old, though some roles or armed positions may require you to be 21. A clean criminal record is also required, though some states may consider certain offenses on a case-by-case basis. You’ll also need to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident with the right to work.

2. Complete Required Training

Many states require classroom training as part of the licensing process. Security guard training programs vary by state but usually include instruction in areas like emergency procedures, communication skills, legal limitations, report writing, and sometimes first aid or CPR. These courses can be completed in person or online, depending on local regulations.

3. Submit an Application

Once your training is complete, you’ll need to submit a formal application to your state’s licensing authority. Most states allow you to submit an application through a dedicated online portal or through a mailed form, and you'll typically be required to pay an application fee. Processing times can vary from a few days to several weeks, so be sure to plan accordingly if you're seeking employment quickly.

4. Pass the State Exam (if applicable)

Some states require applicants to pass a written exam as part of the licensing process. State security guard exams generally cover topics from your training, including legal responsibilities, use of force guidelines, and basic security procedures. Studying before the state exam is generally recommended to ensure a passing score. 

Learn more: Security Guard Test Prep – What to Expect

5. Complete a Background Check

A thorough background check is a standard part of the licensing process. Background checks include fingerprinting and a review of your criminal history to ensure you meet state eligibility standards. Some states also check for outstanding warrants or past issues with licensing in other jurisdictions.

Armed vs. Unarmed Security Guard Licensing

If you’re thinking about a career in security, one of the first choices you'll face is whether to become an armed or unarmed security guard. Both roles are essential, but they involve different responsibilities, training, and levels of risk.

Unarmed Security Guards

As an unarmed guard, your main job is to observe, report, and deter. You’ll often work in settings like shopping centers, office buildings, schools, or hospitals, places where simply having a uniformed presence can prevent incidents. Training usually includes emergency procedures, conflict de-escalation, and communication skills. This is a great starting point if you're new to the industry and want to build experience without carrying a weapon.

Armed Security Guards

Armed guards take on more responsibility and more risk. In addition to everything unarmed guards learn, you'll need to complete firearms training, qualify at a shooting range, and understand the laws around the use of deadly force. You’ll also need to pass a more extensive background check, and in some states, a psychological evaluation. Armed guards often work in high-stakes environments like banks, government buildings, or cash transport.

Learn more: How to Become an Armed Security Guard (Training & Requirements)

Which Path Is Right for You?

If you're just getting started, many people begin as unarmed guards to get their foot in the door and decide later whether to pursue an armed license. That being said, if you're comfortable with firearms, have prior military or law enforcement experience, or want to work in high-risk areas, the armed route might be a good fit. Either way, both roles offer valuable experience and can lead to a long-term career in security.

State-Specific Security Guard License Requirements

1. Alabama

2. Alaska

  • Regulatory board: Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Training required: 
    • Unarmed: 48 hours
    • Armed: 8 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: 8 hours
    • Armed: Range re-qualification annually

3. Arizona

  • Regulatory board: Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Training required: 
    • Unarmed: 8 hours
    • Armed: 16 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: 8 hours
    • Armed: Range re-qualification annually

4. Arkansas

5. California

  • Regulatory board: Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS)
  • Pre-license training required: Before submitting your application, 8 hours of Powers to Arrest and Use of Force; after submitting your application, 32 hours of additional training (16 hours in the first 30 days and then 16 hours within six months)
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 32 hours
    • Armed: 16 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: 8 hours annually
    • Armed: Range re-qualification annually

Learn more: California Guard Card Requirements: How to Become a Security Guard in CA

View course: California Security Guard Card Training (32 hrs)

6. Colorado

  • Regulatory board: Varies by city
  • Pre-licensing training: 16 hours in Denver
  • Total training required: 16 hours (generally)
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by city
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

7. Connecticut

8. Delaware

  • Regulatory board: Delaware Professional Licensing Section
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 16 hours
    • Armed: 40 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: 8 hours annually
    • Armed: 3 range certifications annually

9. Florida

Learn more: How to Become a Security Guard in Florida | Florida Class D Security License Renewal Process (Step-by-Step Guide)

View Course: Florida Security D Online Training | Florida Class G Security License Training

10. Georgia

Learn more: How to Become a Security Guard in Georgia

View Course: Georgia Security Unarmed Pre-Licensing Course

11. Hawaii

  • Regulatory board: Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 8 hours
    • Armed: Varies by jurisdiction
  • Term of license: 3 years
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: 4 hours every 3 years
    • Armed: Varies by jurisdiction

12. Idaho

  • Regulatory board: City Clerk’s Office
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

13. Illinois

Learn more:How to Become a Security Guard in Illinois

View course: Illinois Private Security Basic Training

14. Indiana

  • Regulatory board: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: Varies by employer
    • Armed: Varies by employer
  • Term of license: Varies by employer
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by employer

15. Iowa

16. Kansas

  • Regulatory board: City Clerk’s Office
  • Total training required: Varies by city
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

17. Kentucky

  • Regulatory board: City Clerk’s Office
  • Total training required: Varies by city
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by city
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

18. Louisiana

19. Maine

20. Maryland 

  • Regulatory board: Maryland State Police, Licensing Division
  • Pre-licensing training: 12 hours
  • Total training required: Varies by employer
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by employer
  • Term of license: 3 years
  • Renewal requirements: 8 hours of continuing education

21. Massachusetts 

  • Regulatory board: Massachusetts State Police, Certification Unit
  • Total training required: Varies by employer
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by employer
  • Term of license: Terms of employment
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by employer

22. Michigan 

23. Minnesota  

24. Mississippi  

  • Total training required: None
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by employer
  • Term of license: Terms of employment
  • Renewal requirements: None

25. Missouri   

  • Regulatory board: City Clerk’s Office
  • Total training required: Varies by city
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by city
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

26. Montana   

  • Regulatory board: Montana Board of Private Security
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: 16 hours
    • Armed: Additional firearms training
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 8 hours per year
  • Armed security guard training: Yes

27. Nebraska   

  • Regulatory board: None
  • Total training required: Varies by employer
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by employer
  • Term of license: Varies by employer
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by employer

28. Nevada   

  • Regulatory board: Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB)
  • Total training required:
    • Work card: None
    • Casino: Varies by employer
    • Armed: 13 hours firearms training
  • Term of license: 5 years
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by employer

29. New Hampshire   

30. New Jersey 

31. New Mexico 

  • Regulatory board: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
  • Total training required:    
    • Level I (unarmed): 8 hours
    • Level II (armed non-firearm): +20 hours
    • Level III (armed firearm): +16 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 4 hours every 2 years

32. New York 

  • Regulatory board: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (DOS)
  • Pre-license training required: 8 hours of pre-assignment with your application
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: 16 hours of on-the-job training within 90 days of employment
    • Armed: 47 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: 8 hours per year
    • Armed: 8 additional hours firearms training per year

33. North Carolina

34. North Dakota

  • Regulatory board: North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (PISB)
  • Pre-license training required:
    • Apprentice Security Officers – 12 hours within 30 days of licensure
    • Security Officers – 32 additional hours of training with registration
  • State exam: Yes
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: 32 hours
    • Armed: 80 additional hours
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: Complete application
    • Armed: Annual range re-qualification

35. Ohio

36. Oklahoma

  • Regulatory board: Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)
  • Pre-license training required: 20 hours (Phase I, CLEET Training) needed for application
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: 20 additional hours (Phase II, CLEET Training)
    • Armed: 32 hours
  • Term of license: 3 years
  • Renewal requirements: 8 hours continuing education

37. Oregon

38. Pennsylvania

  • Regulatory board: None
  • Total training required: At employer’s discretion
  • Term of license: Length of employment
  • Renewal requirements: At employer’s discretion

39. Rhode Island 

40. South Carolina

  • Regulatory board: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
  • Pretraining required: 4 hours
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: 2 hours
    • Armed: 4 hours firearms training
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: 
    • Unarmed: Complete application
    • Armed: Complete application

41. South Dakota 

  • Regulatory board: None - managed at the city level
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: At employer’s discretion
    • Armed: At employer’s discretion
  • Term of license: Term of employment
  • Renewal requirements: At employer’s discretion

42. Tennessee

  • Regulatory board: Tennessee Private Protective Services
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 4 hours
    • Armed: 12 hours
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: At employer's discretion

43. Texas

  • Regulatory board: Texas Department Public of Safety (TXDPS)
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 6 hours
    • Armed: 30 additional hours
    • Personal Protection Officer (PPO): 15 additional hours
  • State exam: Yes
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: Reapplication every 2 years
    • Armed & PPO: 6 hours of continuing education every 2 years

Learn more:How to Become a Security Guard in Texas | Texas Level 2 Security Guard License Explained

View course: Texas Level II Training: Non-Commissioned Security Officer

44. Utah

45. Vermont

  • Regulatory board: Board of Private Investigative and Security Services
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 40 hours for guards and 8 hours for employees
    • Armed: 16 additional hours firearm training
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: Complete renewal application
    • Armed: 6 hours firearms re-qualification training

46. Virginia

  • Regulatory board: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCIS)
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 18 hours
    • Armed: 24 additional hours firearms training
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: 4 hours continuing education
    • Armed: 4 hours continuing education, annual firearms re-qualification

47. Washington

  • Regulatory board: Washington State Department of Licensing
  • Total training required:
    • Unarmed: 8 hours
    • Armed: 8 additional hours firearms training
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements:
    • Unarmed: Complete renewal application
    • Armed: 4 hours annual firearms re-qualification

48. West Virginia

  • Regulatory board: West Virginia Secretary of State, Licensing Division
  • Total training required: 
    • Unarmed: At employer's discretion
    • Armed: Complete a state-approved firearms training course
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Submit a renewal application

49. Wisconsin

50. Wyoming

  • Regulatory board: Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation
  • Total training required: Varies by city
  • Armed security guard training: Varies by city
  • Term of license: Varies by city
  • Renewal requirements: Varies by city

Tips for a Smooth Licensing Process

Getting licensed as a security guard and keeping that license active doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and organization, you can stay on track and avoid last-minute issues. Here are a few tips to help you through the process.

Start Early

One of the biggest mistakes new applicants make is waiting too long to start. Licensing often involves multiple steps—like fingerprinting, background checks, and required training hours—all of which can take time. Begin your application process well before any job deadlines or license expiration dates. For renewals, check your license expiration at least 60-90 days in advance.

Stay Organized

Keep copies of everything: your training certificates, application forms, ID submissions, and payment receipts. Having all your documents in one place (physical folder or digital file) will save you time when it's time to renew or if a licensing agency requests verification.

Check State-Specific Requirements Regularly

Every state has its own rules, fees, and training requirements for security guards, and these can change. Bookmark your state’s licensing board website and check it occasionally to stay up to date. Whether it’s adding continuing education hours or new renewal timelines, staying informed means no surprises later on.

From Licensing to Long-Term Success

Obtaining and maintaining a security guard license requires attention to detail, timely preparation, and a strong understanding of your state’s regulatory requirements. A proactive and informed approach to licensing will not only help you stay compliant, but also enhance your professionalism and advancement opportunities within the security industry.

For your licensing and continuing education needs, choose NITA. Our collection of courses for security professionals are 100% online and 100% on demand, presenting the most convenient option for training and renewal.

View courses from NITA →

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