🛡️ Security Guard License Requirements by State

Compare security guard license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 45 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level security guard license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $36–$36. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$36	$30,954
AKAlaska	Required	—	$36	$44,119
AZArizona	Required	—	$36	$34,512
ARArkansas	Required	—	$36	$29,887
CACalifornia	Required	—	$36	$49,100
COColorado	Required	—	$36	$38,426
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$36	$40,917
DEDelaware	Required	—	$36	$35,580
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$36	$45,542
FLFlorida	Required	—	$36	$34,156
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$36	$33,089
HIHawaii	Required	—	$36	$48,033
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$33,445
ILIllinois	Required	—	$36	$37,359
INIndiana	Required	—	$36	$32,377
IAIowa	Required	—	$36	$31,666
KSKansas	Required	—	$36	$31,666
KYKentucky	Not Required	—	—	$31,666
LALouisiana	Required	—	$36	$32,022
MEMaine	Required	—	$36	$34,512
MDMaryland	Required	—	$36	$38,782
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$36	$43,407
MIMichigan	Required	—	$36	$33,445
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$36	$37,003
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$29,531
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$32,022
MTMontana	Required	—	$36	$34,156
NENebraska	Required	—	$36	$32,022
NVNevada	Required	—	$36	$36,291
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$36	$37,003
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$36	$41,984
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$36	$32,377
NYNew York	Required	—	$36	$46,254
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$36	$32,733
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$36	$33,801
OHOhio	Required	—	$36	$32,733
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$36	$30,954
OROregon	Required	—	$36	$39,138
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$36	$34,868
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$36	$36,647
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$36	$32,377
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$31,310
TNTennessee	Required	—	$36	$32,022
TXTexas	Required	—	$36	$33,445
UTUtah	Required	—	$36	$34,512
VTVermont	Required	—	$36	$35,935
VAVirginia	Required	—	$36	$36,291
WAWashington	Required	—	$36	$41,984
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$36	$30,598
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$36	$33,445
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$33,801

Common questions about security guard licensing

Do all states require a security guard license?

No — 45 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level security guard license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a security guard license?

Application fees across the states range $36–$36. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a security guard license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.