Mississippi security guard license: the armed permit, Biloxi and casinos (2026)

Section 97-37-7 of the Mississippi Code lets bank guards, company guards, watchmen, railroad special agents who aren't sworn officers, and employees of patrol services, guard services and armored car companies carry a weapon while they are actually on duty, once they hold the Department of Public Safety's security guard permit. The permit covers you only while you're working.

• Who qualifies: 21 or older, and never convicted of a felony in Mississippi, another state or federal court (§ 97-37-7(1)(b)). The application also asks about federal firearm disqualifications, mental health commitments, drug use and domestic violence convictions.
• No state course: neither the statute nor the application requires a firearms course or a range score for this permit. Your employer sets any qualification.
• Cost: $132, the $100 permit fee plus $32 for the fingerprint check. A duplicate is $15 with a notarized statement that the permit was lost or destroyed.

1. Fill out the Application for Security Guard Permit (SGP-APP-01) and sign the Affidavit and Release of Information (SGP-AFF-01) in front of a notary. 2. Go in person to DPS headquarters in Jackson or a Highway Patrol district substation. The instructions list Pearl, Greenwood, Batesville, New Albany, Starkville, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Biloxi and Brookhaven. 3. Bring photo ID: a driver's license, state ID or tribal ID. Applicants from outside Mississippi also bring an original birth certificate and Social Security card. 4. Get fingerprinted and photographed there and pay the $132 by cash, card or cashier's check. If your prints can't be read after 3 tries, DPS decides on a name check instead.

• DPS mails a renewal notice at least 90 days before the permit expires (§ 97-37-7(1)(d)).
• Renew on or before the expiration date with the renewal form, a notarized affidavit that you still qualify and $82 ($50 plus the $32 fingerprint check).
• A late renewal adds $15. Six months after expiration the permit is permanently expired, and you start over as a new applicant at $132.
• Honorably retired law enforcement officers skip the $50 renewal fee and pay only the $32, with two letters on their agency's letterhead.

Biloxi's code (chapter 12, article VIII) makes it unlawful to work as a private security guard in the city without a license from the Biloxi Police Department. That covers guards in uniform or plain clothes at banks, restaurants, events and other businesses, and off-duty Biloxi officers working security. Loss prevention employees a retailer hires for its own store are exempt.

• Apply at the Biloxi Police Department front desk, 170 Porter Avenue, on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You're fingerprinted when you hand it in.
• Bring the notarized application, a recent photo or a copy of your ID, an employment verification letter on company letterhead and a copy of the liability insurance. Armed guards attach their DPS security guard permit; the application is rejected without it.
• Disclose every conviction in the last 5 years except minor traffic offenses (a DUI counts), 5 years of employment and 3 references.
• Cost and term: $25, and the license lasts 1 year. Renewal follows a supplemental police investigation and a $6 review fee (§ 12-8-7). Approval comes by letter.
• Working on your own: a guard not employed by a licensed security service needs $20,000 of liability insurance (§ 12-8-9).
• A conviction for any crime other than a minor traffic offense, working intoxicated or carrying a concealed weapon illegally can get the license suspended or revoked after a hearing (§ 12-8-8).

Since 2025, anyone employed or contracted by a Jackson nightclub for security, crowd control or conflict resolution must finish an 8-hour orientation course from the Jackson Police Department before working, and renew the certification every 2 years (City Code § 74-12). The course covers de-escalation, use of force, legal responsibilities, emergency response and crowd management. A nightclub here is any venue serving alcohol that runs mainly as entertainment, dancing or live music and stays open past 10 p.m. The club pays $500 per untrained guard for a first offense.

Security personnel at a casino are gaming employees under the Gaming Control Act (Miss. Code § 75-76-5), and nobody can work as a gaming employee without a work permit from the Mississippi Gaming Commission (13 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, R. 10.1).

• The Commission takes your photo and fingerprints and investigates your background. Its fee rule sets the application fee at $125.
• A permit lasts up to 3 years, and a complete renewal application must reach the Commission at least 60 days before it expires.
• It expires if you change casinos and don't renew within 10 days, or if you're out of gaming work in Mississippi for more than 90 days.
• Carry it whenever you're working, and report any arrest or conviction to the Commission within 10 days.

Mississippi has no state license for security companies. Biloxi requires a private security service license from its police department ($25) and $300,000 of liability insurance per incident (§§ 12-8-3, 12-8-9). Other cities can require a general business license, so check with the city clerk where you'll operate.

A Mississippi security guard permit renews every 4 years, and 6 months after it lapses it can't be renewed at all. Biloxi licenses run 1 year and Jackson's nightclub course 2. tessura is free for guards: keep your DPS permit, city license, course certificate and gaming work permit in the credential wallet and get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each one expires.

tessura is not affiliated with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the City of Biloxi, the City of Jackson or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the agency that issues it.