Security Guard License Requirements by State
Compare requirements across all states to find out what you need.
| State | Education Hours | Est. Total Cost | Exam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 0 | $500 - $600 | Alabama Security Regulatory Board | View Guide |
| Alaska | 0 | $500 - $650 | Alaska Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| Arizona | 8 | $500 - $750 | Arizona Department of Public Safety — Security Guard Program | View Guide |
| Arkansas | 0 | $500 - $650 | Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies | View Guide |
| California | 40 | $500 - $900 | California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services | View Guide |
| Colorado | 0 | $500 - $600 | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies | View Guide |
| Connecticut | 8 | $500 - $850 | Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection | View Guide |
| Delaware | 0 | $500 - $650 | Delaware Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies | View Guide |
| Florida | 40 | $500 - $850 | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Division of Licensing | View Guide |
| Georgia | 24 | $500 - $800 | Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies | View Guide |
| Hawaii | 8 | $500 - $750 | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs — Board of Private Detectives and Guards | View Guide |
| Idaho | 0 | $500 - $600 | Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses | View Guide |
| Illinois | 20 | $500 - $850 | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | View Guide |
| Indiana | 0 | $500 - $650 | Indiana Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board | View Guide |
| Iowa | 0 | $500 - $600 | Iowa Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| Kansas | 0 | $500 - $600 | Kansas Attorney General — Private Detective Licensing Unit | View Guide |
| Kentucky | 0 | $500 - $600 | Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators | View Guide |
| Louisiana | 8 | $500 - $750 | Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners | View Guide |
| Maine | 0 | $500 - $650 | Maine Department of Public Safety — Licensing Division | View Guide |
| Maryland | 16 | $500 - $850 | Maryland State Police — Licensing Division | View Guide |
| Massachusetts | 0 | $500 - $650 | Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services | View Guide |
| Michigan | 0 | $500 - $650 | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | View Guide |
| Minnesota | 0 | $500 - $650 | Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services | View Guide |
| Mississippi | 0 | $500 - $600 | Mississippi Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| Missouri | 0 | $500 - $600 | Missouri Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| Montana | 0 | $500 - $650 | Montana Board of Private Security Patrol Officers and Investigators | View Guide |
| Nebraska | 0 | $500 - $650 | Nebraska Secretary of State — Private Detective Division | View Guide |
| Nevada | 8 | $500 - $800 | Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB) | View Guide |
| New Hampshire | 8 | $500 - $700 | New Hampshire Department of Safety — Division of State Police | View Guide |
| New Jersey | 24 | $500 - $900 | New Jersey State Police — Security Officer Registration Act (SORA) | View Guide |
| New Mexico | 16 | $500 - $800 | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Private Investigations Advisory Board | View Guide |
| New York | 47 | $500 - $950 | New York State Division of Licensing Services | View Guide |
| North Carolina | 16 | $500 - $850 | North Carolina Private Protective Services Board | View Guide |
| North Dakota | 8 | $500 - $700 | North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board | View Guide |
| Ohio | 20 | $500 - $850 | Ohio Department of Public Safety — Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing | View Guide |
| Oklahoma | 40 | $500 - $900 | Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) | View Guide |
| Oregon | 14 | $500 - $800 | Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) | View Guide |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | $500 - $900 | Pennsylvania State Police — Lethal Weapons Training Program | View Guide |
| Rhode Island | 0 | $500 - $650 | Rhode Island Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| South Carolina | 8 | $500 - $750 | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) | View Guide |
| South Dakota | 0 | $500 - $600 | South Dakota Department of Public Safety | View Guide |
| Tennessee | 16 | $500 - $800 | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance — Private Protective Services | View Guide |
| Texas | 6 | $500 - $750 | Texas Department of Public Safety — Private Security Bureau | View Guide |
| Utah | 16 | $500 - $800 | Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) | View Guide |
| Vermont | 0 | $500 - $600 | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation | View Guide |
| Virginia | 18 | $500 - $850 | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) | View Guide |
| Washington | 8 | $500 - $850 | Washington State Department of Licensing | View Guide |
| West Virginia | 8 | $500 - $700 | West Virginia Secretary of State — Security Guard Program | View Guide |
| Wisconsin | 0 | $500 - $600 | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | View Guide |
| Wyoming | 0 | $500 - $600 | Wyoming Attorney General — Division of Criminal Investigation | View Guide |