How to become a security guard in Louisiana

Every Louisiana credential

All 9 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.

Steps to get started

1. Get hired by an LSBPSE-licensed security company and create a profile in the board's Registration & Licensing Portal with a passport-quality photo.
2. Submit the initial security officer application and request affiliation with the company, which uploads your ID and signed Form I-9.
3. Pay the $75 fee and complete fingerprints through IdentoGO (service code 27N43R).
4. Complete S.O.S.T. 1101 and 1102 (8 hours each) with a board-licensed instructor and pass both 50-question exams at 70%.
5. Start work only after your registration card arrives showing the company name and your issue and expiration dates.
6. Renew every 2 years before expiration ($65); under the rules effective October 20, 2026, the deadline is March 31.

Security Officer Registration: Requires age 18+, U.S. citizenship or resident alien status, and employment with a licensed contract security company; a separate registration is needed for each company. For applications paid on or after August 1, 2026 (Acts 613 and 683 of 2026), the card is issued only after all documents, a cleared background check and 16 hours of training: S.O.S.T. 1101 and 1102, 8 hours each with a board-licensed instructor, each ending in a 50-question exam passed at 70% within two attempts. You cannot work on an accepted affiliation alone. A Social Security card is no longer required; submit your Social Security number, a passport-quality digital photo, a signed Form I-9 and a government photo ID. A felony or crime of violence conviction bars registration unless pardoned. An arrest with no recorded disposition must be documented within 30 days. Out-of-state registrants, qualifying law enforcement officers and prior officers may take the 4-hour S.O.S.T. 1401 instead. Under board rules effective October 20, 2026, cards run through March 31 of the second year, a renewal after March 31 costs 1.5 times the fee and locks the portal profile until paid, a registration not renewed by June 1 needs a new application, and a new background check is needed only after more than 60 days between companies.

Security Officer Registration - Baton Classification (PR-24 / expandable): Under board rules effective October 20, 2026 (LAC 46:LIX §507), the only authorized less-lethal tools are the PR-24 baton, expandable baton, handheld conducted energy device, OC spray and handcuffs. A PR-24 or expandable baton requires at least 8 hours of initial board-approved training from a certified instructor before carrying it on post, then a 4-hour refresher every year. For the other tools: a conducted energy device takes 8 hours and recertification every 2 years, OC spray 8 hours, and handcuffs 4 hours with a 4-hour refresher every 3 years. Builds on the standard 16-hour S.O.S.T. registration.

Security / Detector Canine Handler Certification (new, 2026): New R.S. 37:3284.1 (HB 921, eff. Aug 1, 2026) directs the Board to license and regulate canine handlers and canine teams; a 'canine handler' is a registered security officer who completed a Board-approved program and is certified to deploy with a security canine (patrol/deterrence) or detector canine (explosives/CDS detection only). No canine may be deployed unless both canine and handler are certified under Board rules, which were not yet promulgated - all numeric fields null.

Classroom Instructor License (In-House / Outside / Outside Limited): Licensed to teach the state-required S.O.S.T. 1101/1102 courses. Per R.S. 37:3284(E) must have 3 years supervisory experience in contract/proprietary security or law enforcement, or a criminal-justice degree, or P.O.S.T. instructor certification, or a Louisiana teaching certificate plus 1 year security supervision; must pass the Board's written laws-and-rules exam (70%), submit fingerprints and $100,000 liability coverage. Scopes: In-House (own company only), Outside (anyone in Louisiana), Outside Limited (one academy/institution).

Firearms Instructor License: Teaches the Board-required armed training and annual firearms retraining for armed security officers. Must meet all classroom-instructor qualifications plus hold an NRA Security or Police Firearms Instructor certificate, P.O.S.T. Firearm Instructor certificate, DOE Firearms Instructor certificate, or US military firearms instructor certification (R.S. 37:3284(F)); no other certifications accepted. Same In-House/Outside/Outside Limited scopes as classroom instructors.

Baton Instructor License (Straight Baton / PR-24): Separate instructor license to teach the baton training that qualifies officers for baton registration classifications. Must meet classroom-instructor prerequisites and hold a baton instructor certification (FAQ references NRA law enforcement / POST-type certifications); issued in straight baton and PR-24 variants and In-House/Outside/Outside Limited scopes.

Qualifying Agent (Company License): The individual who qualifies a contract security company for its LSBPSE license, must meet R.S. 37:3276 qualifications, pass the Board's owner's exam on R.S. 37:3270-3299 and the rules, and submit an inquiry waiver and fingerprints. The 2026 rewrite (HB 921 / Acts 613 and 683) adds a defined 'branch manager' responsible for each branch office. Not a separate card; tracked because the qualifying agent is a named individual.

Security Operations Manager Registration Card (new, 2026): 2026 amendments to R.S. 37:3283 (HB 921, effective August 1, 2026) require 'each person who performs the functions and duties of a security officer or security operations manager' to apply to the Board for a registration card valid two years. Board rules defining the manager role, training and fee had not been published as of research date; treat as pending.

Working armed in Louisiana

Armed guards must be 21+, finish the 16-hour basic training, then complete classroom firearms training, a written exam and a proficiency course with a board-licensed firearms instructor for the specific weapon before any armed assignment. Firearms training expires 1 year after the last course, and only board-authorized firearms and factory-new hollow-point ammunition may be carried.

Armed Security Officer Registration: Requires age 21+ and the 16-hour S.O.S.T. 1101 and 1102 training, plus classroom firearms training with a board-licensed firearms instructor, a written exam and a proficiency course with the specific weapon, all verified by the board before any armed assignment. The statute sets marksmanship at 80% on a board-approved silhouette target course (R.S. 37:3284). Firearms training expires 1 calendar year after the last completed course, and the annual retraining includes a written test of at least 50 questions and 80% marksmanship. Authorized firearms are 9 mm, .40 and .45 semiautomatic handguns with at least a 4-inch barrel, .357 or .38 revolvers, shotguns and .223 or 5.56 rifles; handgun and rifle ammunition must be factory-new hollow-point, with full metal jacket and armor-piercing rounds prohibited. An applicant with a conviction that bars firearm possession can receive only an unarmed-only card. Current or former military law enforcement officers who completed POST certification and firearms training within one year before applying may submit it as equivalent to the basic and initial firearms training, but not the annual retraining (R.S. 37:3284(J)).

Keep your Louisiana credential alive

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