How do I become a licensed Security Guard?

Typically: complete the required pre-license education, pass a criminal background check, register with the exam vendor, pass the state exam, and pay the license fee. Exact requirements vary by state — see the table below for your state.

How hard is the Security Guard exam?

First-attempt pass rates vary by state (where published). The exam usually has a national portion and a state-specific portion, both of which you must pass. Study time and practice volume are the strongest predictors of passing.

Can my license transfer to another state?

Reciprocity varies by occupation and state. Some states honor licenses from listed states; others require additional exams or education. Check the reciprocity note for your state or contact both state boards.

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Security Guard — License Requirements by State

Licensed unarmed/armed guard. Many states require a short course + registration.

51 of 51 states populated with official data (retrieved 2026-08-20).

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State	Education	Exam	Pass %	Fees	Retake	Reciprocity	Official
AL	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AK	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AZ	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AR	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CA	40 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) ↗
CO	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
DE	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs — Security Officers ↗
FL	40 hrs	—	—	· Lic $45	—	—	Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Division of Licensing ↗
GA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
HI	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
ID	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
IL	20 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) ↗
IN	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
IA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KS	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
LA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
ME	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MD	—	—	—	—	—	—	Maryland State Police — Security Guard Licensing ↗
MA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MI	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MN	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MS	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MO	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NE	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NH	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NJ	24 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Jersey State Police — SORA ↗
NM	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NY	8 hrs	—	—	App $36	—	—	New York Department of State — Division of Licensing Services ↗
NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
ND	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OH	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OK	—	—	—	—	—	—	Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) ↗
OR	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
PA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
RI	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — Security Officer Licensing ↗
SD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
TN	—	—	—	—	—	—	Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance — Private Protective Services ↗
TX	6 hrs	—	—	App $30	—	—	Texas Department of Public Safety — Private Security Bureau ↗
UT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
VT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
VA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services — Private Security Services ↗
WA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
WV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
WI	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
WY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Data retrieved 2026-08-20 from state boards, PSI, Pearson VUE and CMS. Requirements change — verify with your state board before enrolling or paying. Dash (—) = not published / pending verification.

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