Arkansas licenses security officers through the Arkansas State Police under the Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act (A.C.A. 17-40) and the State Police rules in Part 350 of the Code of Arkansas Rules. An unarmed officer holds a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential. An armed officer holds a Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission.
Fee change on October 1, 2026
- The FBI background check fee goes from $10 to $13, so a new PSO or CSO application costs $78 instead of $75.
- The State Police is posting new application forms dated 10-2026 from September 30, and every older version of the forms becomes invalid on October 1. If your application won't reach the State Police before then, fill it out again on the new form.
Who needs a credential
- Officers employed by a licensed guard company, including armored car companies.
- Not unarmed in-house guards. The act does not apply to someone employed exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with that employer's own affairs (17-40-103(a)(1)).
- Armed in-house officers are different. A business or school security department that employs armed officers must be recognized by the State Police, and each officer needs a commission (17-40-103(b)).
- Police officers certified by the state and working security off duty for an individual employer or on their own contract are exempt from the act (17-40-103(a)(3)). Current, active certified officers who do apply are exempt from the training (17 CAR 350-1007).
Requirements
- At least 18 for a PSO credential and 21 for a CSO commission.
- No unpardoned felony, and none of the Class A misdemeanors the State Police lists as involving theft, sexual offenses, violence, dishonesty or a crime against a person. Sealed and expunged convictions still count (17-40-306(d)).
- A misdemeanor from 10 or more years ago does not bar you (17-40-306(d)(2)).
- The act also bars habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction, a dishonorable discharge, an adjudication of mental incompetence or an involuntary commitment, and sex offender registration.
- Not sure about your record? You can ask the State Police for a prelicensure criminal background determination before paying for training. It takes the request form, fingerprints and the background check fees (17 CAR 350-217).
Training and the exam
- Phase I, 8 hours: your legal authority, classification of crimes, arrests and detentions, use of force (nondeadly and deadly, and the civil and criminal penalties), common crimes on the job, site-specific legal issues, the licensing act, and field notes and report writing (17 CAR 350-1004).
- The PSO exam has at least 70 questions, is taken in person with the company's training administrator, and takes 70% to pass. After a failure you wait 5 working days to retake it, and two failures cancel the application (17 CAR 350-1017).
Working before your card arrives
- Your employer files within 14 days. The company must submit your application within 14 calendar days of hire (17-40-325; 17 CAR 350-214).
- Supervised work only. Until the State Police processes it, you may work only under the supervision of a credential holder, which the rule defines as someone watching and directing you in line of sight at all times.
- Stop if flagged. If the background check turns up a possible disqualifier, you stop working when the State Police notifies you, until it is resolved.
- Never armed while pending. A commission applicant cannot work armed until the application is fully processed and the card issued (17 CAR 350-214(b)(4)).
How to apply
- The notarized application, from your employer, with every arrest, pending charge and conviction listed (including sealed or expunged ones) and court papers for each.
- Two passport-style photos with your name written on the back, in a sealed envelope.
- Two classifiable fingerprint cards. After two unreadable sets, the FBI runs a name search instead (17 CAR 350-207).
- The training page, signed by the training administrator.
- Payment by check or money order only.
- Missing pieces: deficiencies must be fixed within 30 days, and an application still incomplete after 120 days is voided (17 CAR 350-212).
Armed: the Commissioned Security Officer
- Phase II, 16 hours on top of Phase I: at least 8 in the classroom (deadly force and Arkansas law, fleeing individuals, why warning shots are a crime risk, firearm safety, storage and retention) and 8 on the range. The pistol qualification mirrors the state law enforcement course, and a rifle or shotgun qualification is added if your post requires one (17 CAR 350-1005).
- A certified firearms training instructor teaches the firearms portion (17 CAR 350-1008).
- The CSO exam has at least 100 questions, 70% to pass.
- Extra bars: any crime involving a firearm, or alcohol while in possession of a firearm, and anything that means you cannot lawfully possess a firearm. A pardon only counts if it fully restores firearm rights (17-40-337; 17 CAR 350-210).
- Carry on post only. You may carry only on your assigned site while performing your assigned duties (17 CAR 350-1019).
- Every year: at least 12 hours of refresher training, including an Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy range qualification and a safety course. Miss it and the commission is suspended (17 CAR 350-1014).
- If you are involved in any incident where a firearm is discharged, report it in writing to your employer within 12 hours, on the State Police form; the State Police gets a copy within 48 (17 CAR 350-1020).
- School security officers (CSSO) add a 36-hour Phase III built around active shooter response, a 120-question exam and 24 refresher hours a year.
Cost
- $40 credential or commission, plus $22 for the state background check and $13 in federal fees: $75 by check or money order. From October 1, 2026 the federal portion rises by $3, for $78.
- Fee waiver: the $40 initial application fee is waived if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF or Lifeline assistance, were approved for unemployment in the last 12 months, or earn no more than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (17 CAR 350-219). The application asks, and you attach the proof.
- Renewal is $40 plus new background checks. Moving to a new company costs a $20 transfer fee (17 CAR 350-206).
Renewal and staying legal
- Every 2 years from the issue date (17-40-313, 17-40-343).
- PSO renewal training: at least 6 hours, completed within the 12 months before renewal. CSO: 12 hours, which can count toward that year's refresher (17 CAR 350-1010 to -1012).
- File within the 90 days before expiration, never earlier (17 CAR 350-304).
- After 6 months expired, it cannot be renewed. You start over as a new applicant (17-40-313(d)).
- Your PSO credential goes with you when you change companies; the new manager notifies the State Police and pays the transfer fee (17-40-329).
- Wear your card in plain sight on duty. Cards have been emailed rather than mailed since August 5, 2025 (17 CAR 350-506).
- If you are arrested for anything that could disqualify you, tell the State Police right away; the credential is suspended until the case ends (17 CAR 350-605).
- No police powers. Apart from shoplifting cases, you may not arrest or detain anyone beyond what a private citizen may do (17 CAR 350-1022). Your badge and uniform cannot resemble those of Arkansas police, and company vehicles may not show flashing or rotating lights on public roads (17 CAR 350-507, -508).
For service members, veterans and spouses
- Faster processing. The State Police expedites applications from service members stationed in Arkansas, veterans who live in Arkansas, and their spouses who mark it on the application and attach orders or a DD 214 (17 CAR 350-218).
- Military training counts. State licensing agencies must accept relevant military education, training or service credentials toward licensing requirements for service members and for veterans who apply within 1 year of discharge (A.C.A. 17-4-107).
- Deployed when it expires? The license of a deployed service member or spouse is extended until 180 days after the return from deployment (A.C.A. 17-4-108).
How tessura helps
Arkansas gives you two clocks to track: the 2-year credential, which can't be renewed at all once it has been expired 6 months, and for armed officers a 12-hour refresher every single year. tessura is free for guards: keep your credential card, commission and refresher dates in the credential wallet and get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each deadline.
tessura is not affiliated with the Arkansas State Police or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the State Police Regulatory Services Division.