State license required

How to become a security guard in Hawaii

Hawaii registers every security guard, including in-house and government guards, with the Board of Private Detectives and Guards. Guards complete 8 hours of Board-approved classroom training before the first day, pass a written test and do 4 hours of supervised on-the-job training (HRS 463-10.5).

Track your Hawaii credential, free

Reviewed September 27, 2026
Regulator: Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards (DCCA)

The path

8hTraining before you start
ExamState exam
ApplySecurity Guard Registration (Guard Card)$81–$151 depending on where you are in the 3-year cycle ($81 if approved July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
WorkCarry the credential on post
3yRenewal cycle4h continuing education

Every Hawaii credential

All 4 individual credentials this regulator issues to security workers, from the entry-level card to specialty and instructor registrations. Rows marked ◇ are drafted from the regulator’s pages and await our reviewer’s sign-off.

Credential	Training	Exam	Renewal
Unarmed guard Security Guard Registration (Guard Card) $81–$151 depending on where you are in the 3-year cycle ($81 if approved July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)	8 hours	Yes	Every 3 years 4 hrs CE every 3 years
Private investigator ◇ Private Detective License (PD) $50 application fee + $50 examination fee; license fee $280 or $108 depending on point in biennium; renewal $344 active / $12 inactive	Varies	Yes	Every 2 years
Instructor ◇ Security Guard Training Instructor License $50 non-refundable application fee (form PDG-27); fingerprint fees paid to Fieldprint	Varies	No	,
Manager ◇ Guard License (Principal / Sole Proprietor, GD) $50 application fee + $50 examination fee; license fee $280 if issued July 1 even year-June 30 odd year, $108 if issued July 1 odd year-June 30 even year; renewal $344 active / $12 inactive; restoration $419 active	Varies	Yes	Every 2 years

Steps to get started

Complete the 8-hour course from a Board-approved instructor and pass the written test.
Get fingerprinted at Fieldprint (code HI-DCCA-PDSG) for the FBI and Hawaii criminal history checks.
Within 30 days of fingerprinting, send the application, course certificate and fee to the Board ($81 from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027).
Complete 4 hours of supervised on-the-job training, and 4 hours of continuing education before each June 30 triennial renewal (next: 2027).

Security Guard Registration (Guard Card): Every registration renews by June 30 of the cycle year (next June 30, 2027; $105 active). The 4 hours of supervised on-the-job training are part of the initial requirements, with the 8-hour course and written test.

Private Detective License (PD): Issued by the same Board of Private Detectives and Guards under HRS ch. 463. Requires 4 years of full-time investigative work (under a licensed PD, as a police officer, government investigator, or attorney's investigator), high school education, fingerprint check, and the Board exam. Same application form as the Guard license; a person wanting both files two applications. Renews June 30 of even-numbered years.

Security Guard Training Instructor License: Board-approved instructor needed to teach the 8-hour initial guard employee training and 4-hour continuing competency course (HRS 463-10.5(b)). Must meet one of: licensed principal guard for 2+ years; current ASIS CPP/PSP or IAPSC CSC; or 4 years as a guard plus 2 years as supervisor/trainer/manager of guards, or 4 years as a guard plus a criminal justice bachelor's, or 4 years as a law enforcement officer. FBI fingerprint check required.

Guard License (Principal / Sole Proprietor, GD): Individual license held by a sole proprietor or the Responsible/Subordinate Principal of a guard agency (distinct from the Guard Employee registration). Requires 18+, high school or equivalent, 4 years of full-time guard work (under a licensed guard, private employer, police, or government guard service), FBI/Hawaii fingerprint check, and passing the PSI-administered Board exam plus oral interview. Renews by June 30 of every even-numbered year.

Working armed in Hawaii

Guards may not carry firearms, batons, chemical sprays, stun devices or other weapons without written authorization from the county chief of police (HAR 16-97-17). A guard who carries a firearm or electric gun on duty also needs a county permit to acquire under HRS 134-2, which requires age 21 and a firearms course (HRS 463-10.5(e)).

Local rules to know

The Board issues no armed endorsement. Weapons authorization and firearm permits come from the county police department (Honolulu, Maui, Kauai or Hawaii County).

What guards earn in Hawaii

A median of $20.59 an hour across 10,160 security guards, from official BLS wage data.

Security guard pay in Hawaii →

Hiring a guard rather than becoming one?

The same rules read from the other side: what to ask a guard and a security company for in Hawaii, and the steps to confirm it in the regulator's own records.

How to check a licence in Hawaii →

Sources

tessura is an independent study and career tool, not affiliated with any state agency. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the regulator before relying on them.

Keep your Hawaii credential alive

The free wallet computes your renewal deadline from Hawaii's rules and reminds you at 60, 30, and 7 days. Exam prep for Hawaii follows.

Join free