No statewide license, local rules may apply
How to become a security guard in Mississippi
Mississippi has no statewide license for unarmed security guards. Armed guards need the Department of Public Safety security guard permit (Miss. Code § 97-37-7), Biloxi licenses every guard working in the city, Jackson requires a police orientation course for nightclub guards, and casino security officers need a Mississippi Gaming Commission work permit.
Reviewed September 27, 2026
The path
- 0hNo state training required
- No examCourse or application only
- ApplySecurity Guard Firearm Permit$132 initial ($100 permit + $32 fingerprint check) / $82 renewal; $15 late fee
- WorkCarry the credential on post
- 4yRenewal cycle
Every Mississippi credential
The one individual credential this regulator issues to security workers, from the entry-level card to specialty and instructor registrations.
Steps to get started
- Check the city: Biloxi requires a police department license before your first shift, and Jackson nightclub posts require the 8-hour Jackson Police Department course.
- For casino security, get a Mississippi Gaming Commission work permit before you start; the Commission takes your photo and fingerprints.
- For armed work, apply in person at DPS headquarters or a Highway Patrol district substation for the security guard permit, with the notarized affidavit, photo ID and $132.
- Renew the permit every 4 years on or before the expiration date; 6 months after it expires it can't be renewed and you apply as new.
Working armed in Mississippi
Armed guards need the Department of Public Safety security guard permit (Miss. Code § 97-37-7): 21 or older, never convicted of a felony, fingerprints, a notarized affidavit and $132. It covers carrying a weapon only while on duty, sets no state firearms course, and renews every 4 years for $82.
Security Guard Firearm Permit: Issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety under Miss. Code § 97-37-7 and valid only while on duty. Apply in person with a notarized affidavit; 21 or older and no felony conviction. DPS mails a renewal notice at least 90 days before expiry; a permit expired 6 months or more can't be renewed.
Local rules to know
Biloxi requires a Biloxi Police Department license for every private security guard working in the city: $25, 1 year, fingerprints, a notarized application and 5 years of conviction history; in-house retail loss prevention is exempt (Code ch. 12, art. VIII). Jackson requires nightclub security staff to complete an 8-hour Jackson Police Department orientation course, renewed every 2 years (City Code § 74-12). Casino security officers need a Mississippi Gaming Commission work permit ($125, up to 3 years). Other cities can set their own rules, so check with the city where you'll work.
What guards earn in Mississippi
A median of $14.03 an hour across 10,160 security guards, from official BLS wage data.
Security guard pay in Mississippi →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 Mississippi, and the steps to confirm it in the regulator's own records.
How to check a licence in Mississippi →Sources
- Mississippi DPS, Security Guard Permit Fees
- Mississippi DPS, Miss. Code § 97-37-7
- Biloxi Code of Ordinances, ch. 12, art. VIII
- Jackson Code of Ordinances, ch. 74 (§ 74-12)
- MDPS Security Guard Permit application (SGP-APP-01)
- Biloxi Private Security Guard License application (2026)
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 Mississippi credential alive
The free wallet computes your renewal deadline from Mississippi's rules and reminds you at 60, 30, and 7 days. Exam prep for Mississippi follows.
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