How to become a security guard in Nevada

Every Nevada credential

All 10 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. Study the PILB study guide on NRS and NAC 648, then pass the 30-question work card exam with 100% (required for security work).
2. Apply to the PILB with the application, a passport-style photo, two forms of ID, fingerprints and the $85 fee ($129 expedited).
3. Start working on the emailed provisional document while the fingerprint results come back (30-90 days).
4. To work armed, get the permanent card, an employer's VEAS form and the 13-hour course with a Certified Firearm Instructor, then requalify every 6 months.
5. Renew the work card every 5 years, on or before the expiration date.

PILB Registration Work Card: Requires age 18+, a passport photo, two forms of ID, fingerprints, and disclosure of your full lifetime arrest history; a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or an illegal weapons conviction bars the card (NRS 648.1493). Missing documents must reach the PILB within 30 days or the application is withdrawn with no refund. Security applicants must pass the 30-question Board exam with 100%, administered or verified by the licensed employer; a passing exam counts for 60 months (NAC 648.341). A provisional document is emailed after the state background review, in about 1-2 weeks (2-3 business days if expedited); carry it at all times while working. The permanent card follows the fingerprint results in 30-90 days. Provisional registration lasts 90 days unless extended. When you change employers, the new licensee files a change of employment notice within 5 business days. Peace officers, law enforcement employees and anyone paying into a public employees' retirement system need a Board exemption first (NAC 648.338).

Dog Handler License: Licenses a person who, for compensation, handles, supplies or trains dogs for the protection of persons or property (NRS 648.0065). Applicant or qualifying agent must be 21+, pass the written exam and a Board field examination demonstrating ability to handle, supply and train watchdogs (NRS 648.110(2)(e)). Employees who merely handle dogs for a licensee check 'Canine Handler' on the ordinary work-card application instead. Expires June 30 annually.

Private Investigator License (individual or qualifying agent): NRS ch. 648 license issued by the same Board that issues guard work cards. Individual applicants and corporate qualifying agents must be 21+, pass the exam at 75%, undergo FBI/DPS background, and document 5 years (10,000 hours) of investigative experience or Board-approved equivalent; $200,000 liability insurance. Licenses expire June 30 every year; renew May 15-June 30 or the license forfeits (30-day reinstatement). Employees of a PI (including mystery shoppers) instead hold the registered-employee work card.

PILB Certified Firearms Instructor (CFI): The instructor who teaches the 8 hr classroom + 5 hr range armed course (NAC 648.346) and semiannual requalifications. Must meet NRS 648.110(1) (21+, good character, no disqualifying convictions), show 40+ hours of instructor training on teaching peace officers/security officers/military in firearms plus an instructor certification for each firearm type, pass a written instructor exam, and pass a live-fire skills test (NAC as codified: 275/300 on a B27; R127-24 adopted regulation changes this to 90%) including teaching a course section on 15 minutes' notice. Certification expires June 30 each year; renew May 15-June 30 with proof of 8 hours of education/training in the past 12 months. Instructors remit $25 per certification card and $5 per qualification to the Board.

Private Patrol Officer License (individual licensee / qualifying agent of a security company): 'Private patrol officer' is Nevada's term for the security-company licensee; the license is held by an individual or by a corporation through a named qualifying agent who must personally meet NRS 648.110: 21+, good character, no felony/moral-turpitude/weapons convictions, 75% on the Board exam, and 5 years (10,000 hours) of experience as a private patrol officer or equivalent. Expires June 30 annually.

Process Server License: Same Board and NRS ch. 648 regime as guards. Individual or qualifying agent must be 21+, pass the exam at 75%, and show 2 years (4,000 hours) of process-serving experience or equivalent (NRS 648.110(2)(d)). Employees serving process for a licensee hold the work card ('Process Server' use). Expires June 30 annually. Included because it is the same board; low relevance to guards.

Polygraphic Examiner's Intern License: Entry tier of the two-tier polygraph scheme under the same Board (NRS 648.110(2)(f)): 21+, and either a bachelor's degree + 1 year investigative/polygraph experience, an associate degree + 3 years, or HS diploma + 5 years, plus a Board-satisfactory basic polygraph course; works under a supervising examiner who may be asked for semiannual progress reports. Expires June 30 annually.

Polygraphic Examiner License: Upper polygraph tier (NRS 648.110(2)(g)): meet the intern requirements, 2+ years actively conducting exams, 250+ completed exams (100+ specific-inquiry), 50+ exams (10 specific) in the prior 12 months, and 24 hours of advanced polygraph training in the prior 2 years. Reciprocity available under NRS 648.115. Expires June 30 annually.

Security Consultant License: NRS 648.060 requires a license to engage in business as a security consultant (advising on security systems/plans). General NRS 648.110(1) qualifications and the 75% exam apply; NRS 648.110(2) lists no specific experience minimum for this category - the Board's 'Experience and Education Requirements' document (not fetched) governs. Employees of a consultant hold the work card ('Security Consultant' use). Expires June 30 annually.

Working armed in Nevada

Armed guards must hold the permanent plastic work card (not a provisional), be sponsored by a licensed employer through a VEAS form, pass an 8-hour classroom course and at least 5 hours of range training with a Certified Firearm Instructor, and requalify every 6 months in fixed qualification months. NRS and NAC chapter 648 set no separate age for armed work.

Armed Security Guard Work Card: Only a holder of the permanent plastic work card can take the firearms course; provisional status is not enough. A licensed employer must sponsor you, add you to its online roster and sign a Verification of Employment Armed Security (VEAS) form for a Certified Firearm Instructor. The course is 8 hours of classroom instruction with a written exam (75% to pass) plus at least 5 hours on the range, qualifying with the same type and caliber you will carry (at least 30 rounds, 75%), all within 14 days and no more than 9 contact hours a day (NAC 648.346). The card is valid 5 years if you requalify in both designated qualification months each year; miss one and you cannot carry until you requalify, miss two in a row and you repeat the course. A deployment on full-time active duty can support a written request for an exemption from repeating it. Carry the card whenever you are armed on duty. NRS and NAC 648 set no separate age beyond the work card's 18+.

Keep your Nevada credential alive

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