Montana licenses private security guards through the Department of Labor and Industry's Private Security Program, which took over from the Board of Private Security in 2023. No one may work as a private security guard without a license (MCA 37-60-301). The law defines a guard as anyone employed to protect people or property or to direct public movement in public areas (MCA 37-60-101).
Who doesn't need a license
- Store guards hired directly by a retailer. A guard employed only by a retail merchant is exempt (MCA 37-60-105). The rules define a retail merchant as someone who runs a store selling goods to individuals for their own use (ARM 24.182.301).
- Some in-house staff. An employee of a business that isn't a security firm is exempt while unarmed, out of uniform and guarding inside a building that isn't open to the public at the time.
- Government officers and employees on official duty.
What changed in 2025
- You no longer need a security firm. Under Senate Bill 198, effective July 1, 2025, a guard still has to be employed, but the employer can be a security firm, another business, or the guard as an independent contractor or sole practitioner (ARM 24.182.301).
- A one-person business needs no firm license. A guard who is the only employee of their own business isn't a private security firm.
- Flat fees. Since December 6, 2025, every license type costs $80 to apply and $80 to renew. The armed endorsement is $50 (ARM 24.182.401).
- Insurance if you're not with a firm. A guard not employed by a security firm must carry at least $500,000 in occurrence-form commercial general liability insurance, including personal injury, plus firearms liability coverage if armed.
Who qualifies
- You must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent (MCA 37-60-303).
- You must show character and fitness through a lack of unprofessional conduct.
- You submit a full set of fingerprints for Montana Department of Justice and FBI checks.
- You finish the 16 hours of training and show proof of a job.
The 16 hours
You must complete at least 16 hours of training before working as a guard (ARM 24.182.807). The course covers:
- the role and function of a guard, and the laws and rules that apply
- working with law enforcement
- limits on the use of force, self-defense and the use-of-force continuum
- emergency procedures and hazardous materials
- communication, report writing and radio use
- crisis intervention and crowd control, and patrol techniques
- legal and ethical issues: privacy, searches of people and property, limits on arrest and detention, treating juveniles and people with disabilities fairly, crime scenes and evidence, non-firearm weapons, and preventing abuse of authority
A security firm certifies the training for its guards. If your employer isn't a security firm, you certify it yourself. Training on an employer's own policies and procedures doesn't count toward the 16 hours.
How to apply
1. Apply online through the state licensing portal and pay the $80 fee. Give a working email address; it's how the department contacts you. 2. Send fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice for the state and FBI checks. 3. After the fingerprint check clears, send proof that you finished the 16 hours and proof of employment. The license isn't issued until both arrive (ARM 24.182.514). 4. If a security firm doesn't employ you, send proof of insurance too.
Keeping it
- Renew every year between January 1 and March 1. Renewal is $80, and the department lists $160 for a late renewal.
- There is no yearly training requirement for unarmed guards. The old rule requiring 8 hours of continuing education a year (ARM 24.182.2103) was repealed in 2023.
- ID card: every licensed guard must wear a laminated photo ID that meets the department's design rules, keep the photo current and wear or carry it on duty. Security firms supply the card for the guards they employ (ARM 24.182.403).
- No government look: you can't use a title, uniform, ID or statement meant to suggest a link to a government or law enforcement agency unless your employer has a contract with that agency. You also can't enter a private building without the consent of the owner or occupant (MCA 37-60-402).
Arrests and shoplifters
A guard has a private person's arrest powers. You can arrest someone when there is probable cause to believe they are committing or have committed an offense and the circumstances require an immediate arrest. You may use reasonable force to hold them, and you must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency and turn the person over (MCA 46-6-502).
Montana also lets a merchant stop a suspected shoplifter. The merchant must say the stop is to investigate shoplifting, may ask for a name and address, may recover unpaid merchandise and may hold the person for police. Unless concealment is obvious, a search is limited to outer clothing and bags. The person must be released after 30 minutes, or sooner once the purpose is served, unless arrested and turned over to an officer (MCA 46-6-506).
Armed guards
- Montana doesn't require a permit to carry a concealed firearm for anyone who can legally own one (MCA 45-8-316). That doesn't cover the job. A guard can't have or use a firearm on duty without a current armed endorsement (MCA 37-60-301).
- To get the endorsement, you must be a licensed guard employed in Montana, complete a department-approved firearms program and pay $50. You requalify every year, and renewal is $50 (ARM 24.182.420 and 24.182.801).
- Tasers, OC spray made for security use and collapsible batons need department approval, and you need training before carrying them on duty (MCA 37-60-405; ARM 24.182.301).
Pay
Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 an hour in 2026. The Department of Labor and Industry adjusts it for inflation and announces the 2027 rate by September 30 (MCA 39-3-409). The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,610 security guards in Montana in May 2025, at a median of $18.50 an hour, 22 cents above the national guard median and about 70% above the state minimum. A quarter of Montana guards earned $16.95 or less.
Starting a security firm
- License: $80 to apply and $80 a year to renew. The firm must be registered with the Secretary of State or otherwise qualified to do business in Montana, and must name a manager as its main contact with the department (MCA 37-60-303).
- Insurance: keep the liability coverage the department requires on file, with firearms coverage if you provide armed guards (ARM 24.182.405).
- ID cards: supply each guard you employ with a photo ID that meets the department's design rules (ARM 24.182.403).
- Solo guards: if you are the only employee of your own business, you need a guard license, not a firm license.
How tessura helps
A Montana license renews every year by March 1, armed guards requalify every year, and a lapsed license keeps you off the schedule. tessura is free for guards: keep your license, 16-hour training certificate and firearms qualification in the credential wallet and get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each one expires.
tessura is not affiliated with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, the Private Security Program or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the Private Security Program at (406) 444-6880.