Military service helps with a security guard license in some states and counts for nothing in others. Where it helps, the credit takes one of five forms: training credit, faster processing, fee waivers, a lower minimum age for armed work, or an allowance for deployment. This guide collects what the state rules actually say, with the section behind each one. A state missing from this list may still offer something, so check its own guide and licensing agency before you apply.
Training credit
- Florida, Class D. At least 1 year on active duty as a military policeman, security police officer or in other military law enforcement meets the 40-hour Class D training requirement (Rule 5N-1.119(4)). Answer yes to the military credit question on the application and include your DD 214.
- Florida, Class G. If you were discharged within the last 12 months from serving as a military police officer and completed a listed course, such as the Army Military Police Course (MOS 31B) or Navy Master-at-Arms, that meets the firearms training requirement (Rule 5N-1.119(9)). The yearly requalification still applies.
- Alabama. Basic security training from a military, government or security training institute within the 3 years before you apply can exempt you from the 8-hour initial training, if it meets the board's standard (34-27C-8(g)). Refresher training still applies.
- Louisiana. Current or former military law enforcement officers who completed a POST certification and firearms training program, or its equivalent, within a year before applying can submit proof of it as the equivalent of the 16 hours of basic training and the initial firearms training. The annual firearms retraining still applies (R.S. 37:3284(J)).
- Oregon. Since April 2026, at least 2 years as a military police officer, Master-at-Arms or other military law enforcement specialty the state finds equivalent can replace the basic training, if you apply within 4 years of your last day on duty. Unarmed applicants take the 4-hour renewal course instead of the 14-hour course; armed applicants take that plus the armed refresher and qualification instead of the 24-hour firearms course. You get one try (OAR 259-060-0125). State law also lets DPSST accept other military training it finds substantially equivalent (ORS 181A.855(2)).
- Tennessee, rifles and shotguns. Since January 1, 2026, carrying a rifle or shotgun on duty takes an enhanced armed guard registration. One way to qualify is 4 years full-time in the U.S. armed forces in a combat arms specialty, with an honorable discharge if you have separated. Military rifle or shotgun training can count toward the 16-hour course (2025 Public Chapter 344).
Starting work sooner
- Arizona. While background checks finish, the Department of Public Safety may issue a 45-day certificate to an honorably discharged veteran who left the service within the past 3 years. The veteran may work only for an agency that provides the pre-assignment training (A.R.S. 32-2624(A)).
- Ohio. Applications from service members, veterans and their spouses that include a military ID card or DD 214 are processed ahead of other applications once everything else is in order (OAC 4501:7-1-09(C)).
Fees
- Florida. Renewal fees are waived for active duty service members and their spouses, and for licensees who served on active duty within the 2 years before the license expires, with an honorable discharge if separated (F.S. 493.6113(7)). The waiver has to be requested in the format the state prescribes.
- Florida initial fees are less clear. The statute's initial fee waiver for veterans does not list Class D or Class G, but the current Class D application describes a waiver for veterans who apply within 24 months of discharge. Ask the Division of Licensing before you count on it.
Armed work before 21
- Georgia. Carrying on duty takes a board weapon permit, which requires a Georgia weapons carry license. That license generally requires you to be 21, or 18 if you finished basic training and are serving or were honorably discharged (O.C.G.A. 16-11-129).
- Maryland. Armed guards need a Wear and Carry permit, which requires you to be 21 or an active member of the armed forces, National Guard or uniformed services.
While you are deployed
- Nevada. Armed guards requalify every 6 months, and missing 2 qualifications in a row normally means repeating the whole firearms course. If you missed them because you were deployed on full-time active duty, you can send the Board a written request with your deployment papers asking to skip repeating it. The Board decides case by case (NAC 648.350(5)).
No military credit
- Pennsylvania. Every applicant for Act 235 lethal weapons certification completes the Pennsylvania training, whatever their military service or armed license from another state (State Police FAQ).
- New York. The training exemptions cover retired police officers and certain peace officers, not military service. For applicants with military experience, the Department of State points to the Department of Labor's Experience Counts program.
Papers to have ready
- Your DD 214, since several of these credits ask for it.
- Records of the training itself: Florida, for example, also accepts Joint Services Transcripts, training certificates, job evaluation reports or a commanding officer's letter (Rule 5N-1.119(1)).
- A copy of your military ID if you are still serving.
How tessura helps
Veterans who move into security work often carry several credentials at once: a guard license, a firearms license or permit, and the refresher and requalification dates that keep them valid. tessura is free for guards: keep every card and certificate in the credential wallet and get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each one expires.
tessura is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, any branch of the military or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm any credit with the state licensing agency before you rely on it.