New Hampshire licenses security guards through the State Police Permits and Licensing Unit, under RSA 106-F. No one can become an employee of a security guard agency without first getting a license (RSA 106-F:3). There is no state training requirement for unarmed guards.
In-house guards are excluded. If a business that isn't a security agency hires you directly, unarmed, to secure its own premises, as a store detective or watchman for example, you don't need the license (§ 106-F:4).
Which license you need
- Employee license: you work for a licensed security agency. It costs $5, plus a $25 criminal record check fee and a $10 investigation fee, $40 in total. The law makes the agency that employs you pay the employee licensing fee (§ 106-F:7). The form is DSSP 247.
- Individual license: you work for yourself and have no employees. It costs $150 plus the same $35 in check fees, and you file a $50,000 surety bond (Saf-C 2205.04; § 106-F:9). The form is DSSP 259.
- Armed license: either one, plus the firearms requirements below.
Who qualifies
- RSA 106-F sets no minimum age for guards. Its age 18 rule is written for private investigators and bail agents, so agencies set their own hiring age.
- The State Police look into your character, competency and integrity, run a state criminal record check and tell the police department where you live that you applied (Saf-C 2203.07).
- The application asks about any conviction that hasn't been pardoned or annulled, and specifically about theft, dishonesty, fraud, drugs, violence, domestic violence and abuse, and any active domestic violence protective order.
- You list 3 unrelated references, and the State Police mail each of them a questionnaire. Slow replies delay your license.
- Once licensed, you can be suspended or revoked for any felony, or for a misdemeanor involving theft, dishonesty, assault, a protective order violation, abuse or drugs (§ 106-F:12).
How to apply
1. Get hired. The form asks for the name and address of the agency you will work for. 2. Fill out form DSSP 247 completely. Missing answers delay processing, and false answers mean a denial. 3. Take it in person to Permits and Licensing, Department of Safety, 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord. Don't mail it. Bring a government photo ID. Your license photos are taken there (§ 106-F:5). 4. Pay by check made out to "State of N.H. - Treasurer". A denial comes in writing, and you have 15 days to ask for a hearing.
Keeping it
- The license lasts 2 years. File the renewal, form DSSP 157, at least 15 days before it expires (§ 106-F:7).
- Carry your State Police ID card on duty (§ 106-F:6). A duplicate is $3.
- Changing agencies: tell the State Police in person within 10 business days. You get a new photo license at no cost (§ 106-F:9).
- Arrested or served: if you are arrested and charged with any felony or misdemeanor, or become subject to a domestic violence protective order, tell the State Police within 1 business day (§ 106-F:9).
- Badges: if you wear one, wear one on the left breast of your uniform and one on your cap. The word "police" can't appear anywhere (§ 106-F:10).
- Working without a license is a misdemeanor for a person and a felony for a company (§ 106-F:14).
Armed guards
New Hampshire lets most adults carry a concealed handgun without a license; the old license requirement was repealed in 2017. That doesn't cover the job. The State Police application says a pistol permit doesn't let you carry a firearm while working as a security guard. You need the armed license.
- Fingerprints: an FBI check comes before approval. Call (603) 223-3873 for an appointment at 33 Hazen Drive, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and add $26.50 (§ 106-F:6; Saf-C 2205.01).
- Qualification: when you are first licensed and at least once a year after, pass a practical or tactical pistol or revolver course at 75% or better, and complete 4 hours of instruction on firearms safety, deadly-force law and the ethical use of force. If your employer issues a shotgun or rifle, you also take that course (§ 106-F:8).
- A certified firearms instructor signs your form DSSP 158, and the armed license isn't issued until the State Police approve it.
- Without the armed license, you can't openly carry or display a weapon on the job or advertise that you're armed (§ 106-F:10).
Pay
New Hampshire's minimum wage is the federal $7.25 (RSA 279:21). The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 2,450 security guards in New Hampshire in May 2025, at a median of $21.73 an hour, about three times the minimum.
Starting a security company
- License: $350 every 2 years, or $150 if the agency employs only one licensed person. Renew at least 15 days early, with proof that your bond is still in force (§ 106-F:7; Saf-C 2205.04).
- Bond: at least $50,000, filed with the Secretary of State, plus $50,000 for each additional license type (§ 106-F:9).
- Manager: the person who runs the business in New Hampshire must be 18 or older, a U.S. resident, meet the conviction rules and have qualifying experience, such as 4 years as a full-time police officer or with a licensed security service, or an ASIS security certification plus 2 years of experience (§ 106-F:5).
- Reporting: tell the State Police within 10 business days when a licensed employee leaves, or when your officers or address change (§ 106-F:9). Your agency pays each employee's license fee before it is issued (§ 106-F:7).
How tessura helps
A New Hampshire license lasts 2 years, the renewal is due 15 days before it expires, and armed guards requalify every year. tessura is free for guards: keep your State Police license, firearms qualification and training certificates in the credential wallet and get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each one expires.
tessura is not affiliated with the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the Division of State Police or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the State Police Permits and Licensing Unit.