tessura

The nationwide requirement engine

Security guard license requirements, state by state

Every state regulates guards differently — some require a state license and 40 hours of training, others have no statewide rules at all. Pick your state for the licensing authority, training hours, exams, fees, and renewal deadlines.

tessura is an independent study and career tool — not affiliated with any state agency. Requirements change; always confirm with the licensing authority linked on each page.

Alabama
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Alaska
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Arizona
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Arkansas
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
CaliforniaPrep live
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Colorado
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Connecticut
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Delaware
State license requiredInitial training: 16 hours
District of Columbia
State license requiredInitial training: 24 hours
Florida
State license requiredInitial training: 40 hours
Georgia
State license requiredInitial training: 24 hours
Hawaii
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Idaho
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Illinois
State license requiredInitial training: 20 hours
Indiana
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Iowa
Employer registers guards with the state
Kansas
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Kentucky
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Louisiana
State license requiredInitial training: Varies
Maine
Companies licensed — no individual card
Maryland
State license requiredInitial training: 12 hours
Massachusetts
Companies licensed — no individual card
Michigan
Companies licensed — no individual card
Minnesota
Companies licensed — no individual card
Mississippi
No statewide license — local rules may applyInitial training: Varies
Missouri
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Montana
State license requiredInitial training: 16 hours
Nebraska
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Nevada
State license requiredInitial training: None required
New Hampshire
State license requiredInitial training: None required
New Jersey
State license requiredInitial training: 24 hours
New Mexico
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
New York
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
North Carolina
State license requiredInitial training: 16 hours
North Dakota
State license requiredInitial training: Varies
Ohio
Employer registers guards with the state
Oklahoma
State license requiredInitial training: 40 hours
Oregon
State license requiredInitial training: 14 hours
Pennsylvania
Companies licensed — no individual cardInitial training: Varies
Rhode Island
Employer registers guards with the state
South Carolina
State license requiredInitial training: 4 hours
South Dakota
No statewide license — local rules may apply
Tennessee
State license requiredInitial training: 4 hours
Texas
State license requiredInitial training: 6 hours
Utah
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
Vermont
State license requiredInitial training: Varies
Virginia
State license requiredInitial training: 18 hours
Washington
State license requiredInitial training: 8 hours
West Virginia
Employer registers guards with the state
Wisconsin
State license requiredInitial training: None required
Wyoming
No statewide license — local rules may apply