How to become a security guard in Maryland

Every Maryland credential

All 7 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, or apply to, a licensed security guard agency or security guard employer.
2. Complete 12 hours of MPTSC-approved initial training (criminal law, arrest and detention, use of force, de-escalation, crisis response).
3. Submit Livescan fingerprints, then create the application in the MSP Licensing Portal within 30 days; your employer submits it with the $15 fee.
4. For armed work, also hold a Maryland Wear & Carry permit and file your weapon and qualifying score with the State Police.
5. Renew every 3 years, at least 90 days early, with 8 hours of approved continuing training.

Security Guard Certification: 18+. Only for people employed by, or applying to, a licensed security guard agency or security guard employer, which reviews and submits the application and fee. No disqualifying crime (Public Safety 5-101) or violent crime (Criminal Law 14-101); former police officers with formal findings of excessive force or false statements are ineligible. 12 hours of MPTSC-approved training, or police employment within the past 3 years. Livescan prints are valid for 30 days; MSP decides within 90 days. Renew at least 90 days before expiration with 8 hours of approved continuing training (guards who never took the 12-hour course must take it to renew). Report address or email changes within 30 days. Exempt: marine guards and ship watchmen, special police officers, and unarmed employees of bars, taverns and restaurants.

Security Systems Technician License: Required before personally surveying for, installing, maintaining or repairing a security system, or responding to a distress call or alarm from a security system (Bus. Occ. & Prof. Art. Title 18) - so it also covers alarm respondents. Age 18, good moral character, Livescan fingerprints; the employing Security Systems Agency submits the application. Valid 3 years. No training hours stated.

Private Detective Certificate: Individual certification for employees of a licensed Private Detective Agency (Bus. Occ. & Prof. Art. Title 13), issued by the same MSP Licensing Division that certifies security guards. Age 18, Livescan fingerprints, passport photo; sponsoring agency submits the application and fee. Valid 3 years and only for the agency named on the application - changing agencies requires a new application. No training hours are stated on the regulator page.

Qualified Handgun Instructor (QHIC / QHIL): The only instructor credential that can certify the 16-hour / 8-hour Wear & Carry firearms courses armed guards need. Two types: QHIC (MSP confirms an existing MPCTC or nationally recognized instructor certification; expires with that certification) and QHIL (licensed directly by MSP: documented handgun training, 80% on a practical police course, 1 year of instruction experience; expires 4 years after issuance). Applied for through the eMDSP portal. renewalMonths reflects the QHIL only.

Special Police Officer Commission: Commission granted by the Governor (Public Safety Art. Title 3, Subtitle 3) giving police powers on the property named in the commission. Applied for by the employer: governmental bodies, colleges/school systems, businesses protecting their own property, and - since January 2026 (SB 455 override) - licensed Security Guard Agencies protecting client property. Requires an 80-hour MPCTC-approved course unless exempt (recent police basic training, etc.), Livescan fingerprints, age 18, oath before the District Court clerk. Renewal requires 12 hours of approved in-service training. Special police officers are exempt from the Security Guard Certification; the commission does not itself authorize a firearm (Wear & Carry permit still required).

Railroad Police Officer Appointment: Governor's appointment for railroad company police (Public Safety Art. Title 3, Subtitle 4), processed by the same MSP Licensing Division. Age 21, must meet Police Training & Standards Commission education/training requirements (or have been a full-time railroad police officer on 7/1/1979), Livescan fingerprints, oath. No renewal - valid until employment ends or the Governor revokes; officers must keep up PTSC in-service training. Edge case for tessura; included for completeness.

Working armed in Maryland

Guards may not be armed without a valid Maryland Wear & Carry (handgun) permit: 21+ (or active military), a 16-hour course from a Qualified Handgun Instructor, and an 8-hour course at each renewal. A guard may carry only a weapon they have qualified with and filed, with the score, with the State Police Handgun Permit Section (COMAR 29.04.01.12).

Wear & Carry Handgun Permit (armed security / employment sponsorship): Maryland has no separate armed-guard credential: COMAR 29.04.01.12 says security guards may not be armed unless they hold a valid handgun (Wear & Carry) permit and have filed the weapon/qualifying score with the Licensing Division Handgun Permit Section. Requires the MSP-approved 16-hour Firearms Safety Training Course from a Qualified Handgun Instructor (MSP 29-14 score sheet), Livescan fingerprints, age 21 (or active military). Initial permit runs to the last day of the birth month 2 years after issuance; renewals are 3 years and need an 8-hour renewal course. MSP tells security guards, private detectives, armored car drivers and special police officers to attach company sponsorship on replacement requests. It is the same permit issued to private citizens; the agency must also keep a photocopy of it in the guard's personnel file and a record of each armed guard's weapon (COMAR 29.04.01.12).

Keep your Maryland credential alive

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