Many states have licensing requirements to be a security officer. Here is a summary listing, although this is subject to change and may not be complete. You should always check with your particular state. There may also be local requirements. Your employer will help you to identify where you need to apply for licensing and training.
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Alabama: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Alabama
Alaska Department of Public Safety: Security Guard Licensing
Arizona Department of Public Safety: Security Guard Registration Licensed security companies in Arizona are required to provide training to employees before starting work as a security guard. Arizona has a required curriculum that must be taught, with subjects including criminal law and laws of arrest, uniforms and grooming, communications, use of force, general security procedures, crime scene preservation, ethics, and first response.
Arkansas State Police: Private Investigators and Alarm Installation/Monitoring
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California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: Private Patrols and Security Guards California security guards are licensed through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. In addition to a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), security guards must completed required training.ivate patrol operator or by any of a large number of certified training facilities. This training can be in the classroom or online.
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection: Special Licensing and Firearms
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Delaware State Bureau of Identification: Professional Licensing
District of Columbia Metro PD: Security Officers Management Branch
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Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Licensing: Security Industry
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Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies
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Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs: Licensing Area
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Idaho: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Idaho
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
Indiana Private Investigator & Security Guard Licensing Board
Iowa Department of Public Safety: Administrative Services Division
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Kansas: Lenexa Kansas Police Department: Security Guard Permits
Kentucky: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Kentucky
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Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners
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Maine: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Maine
Maryland State Police Security Guard Certifications
Massachusetts: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Massachusetts
Michigan: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Michigan
Minnesota: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Minnesota
Mississippi: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Mississippi
Missouri: City of St. Louis Metropolitan PD: Private Security
Montana Board of Private Security Private Security Guard Information
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Nebraska: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Nebraska
Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board
New Hampshire Department of Public Safety: Support Services Bureau Permits and Licensing Bureau
New Jersey State Police Security Officer Application Process As of 2006 all security personnel in New Jersey must pass a state mandated certified training program. This law is commonly referred to as SORA, is the state’s effort to regulate and improve the quality of security personnel.
New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department: Private Investigations Board As of 2008 all security guards must pass FBI background checks and a certified training program. Armed guards also must have additional firearm training through an approved instructor and pass a psychological exam. The security industry is regulated through the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Division.
New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services: Security Guard
North Carolina Department of Justice Licensing Process In North Carolina security officers must register and become certified with the Private Protective Services Board (PPSB), a private security authority body under the North Carolina Department of Justice. There are two classifications for an officer: armed and unarmed. Armed officers must have additional classroom training, and qualify on a gun range with the firearm to be carried on duty.
North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board
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Ohio Department of Public Safety Private Investigator Security Guard Services
Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training Security officers in Oklahoma are licensed by CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training). To be licensed as an unarmed officer requires classroom training and passing criminal history checks. Armed guards must have additional classroom training, qualify with their firearm and pass a psychological evaluation.
Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training
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Pennsylvania: There are no state-level licensing requirements for unarmed security guards in Pennsylvania. However, anyone who carries a firearm or other “lethal weapon” in their employment must be a “Certified Agent” by completing a 40 hour training course including shooting range time, before being allowed to carry weapons while on duty under the Lethal Weapons Training Act (commonly referred to as Act 235 certification). Certification involves completing a medical physical exam, a psychological examination, classroom training and qualifying on the weapon. See PA State Police—Lethal Weapons Training Program
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Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Investigations
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South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Security officers in South Carolina are licensed or registered (as appropriate) by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Training is required for all officers, with additional training required for a security weapons permit or a concealed security weapons permit. More training is required for officers issuing public or private tickets as well as officers who will be using batons, pepper spray or tasers.
South Dakota: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in South Dakota
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Tennessee Department of Commerceand Insurance Private Protective Services
Texas Department of Safety: Private Security
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Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing: Security Companies and Guards
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Vermont Board of Private Invesigative & Security Services
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services: Private Security Services Starting in the 1980s, security officers in Virginia must be certified by DCJS (Department of Criminal Justice Services, the same agency that certifies law enforcement officers).
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Washington State Department of Licensing: Security Guards
West Virginia Private investigator & Security Guard Licensing
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: Private Security Permit
Wyoming: There are no state-level licensing requirements for security officers in Wyoming