How to become a security guard in North Carolina

Every North Carolina 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. Get hired by a licensed guard company; it can employ you on probation for 20 days and then registers you.
2. Complete 4 hours of the basic course before your first post and the full 16-hour course within 30 days of permanent employment (in person or live online).
3. Your employer submits fingerprints, statewide criminal history searches, a digital photo and an affidavit with the $30 registration fee.
4. For armed work, add the 20-hour armed course (within 14 consecutive days) and qualify at 80% on the range.
5. Renew every year, up to 90 days before expiry, with an updated criminal history search and the $30 fee; armed guards also recertify.

Unarmed Security Guard Registration: Minimum age 18 (G.S. 74C-8(d)(1); 14B NCAC 16 .0703). A company may employ an unarmed guard as a probationary employee for 20 consecutive days and must register them within 30 days after (G.S. 74C-11(a)). Four hours of the course (the security officer in NC and legal issues) come before any duty station, and the full 16 hours within 30 days of permanent employment (14B NCAC 16 .0707(b)); in person or live online with real-time interaction, no self-paced courses. Application copies serve as a temporary card (.0701(b)). The 12-hour continuing education rule (.1202) applies to licensees, not guard registrants.

Close Personal Protection License: Individual license (G.S. 74C-3(a)(3a)) to provide protection to executives, officials, celebrities or others at elevated personal risk. Qualify by 3 years of CPP experience (private or governmental) within 10 years, 2 years military CPP MOS within 5 years, or a Board-approved 40-hour CPP/executive protection course (26h fundamentals, 12h practical, 2h legal/use of force) within the prior 24 months; must hold current first aid/CPR/AED (14B NCAC 16 .1501-.1502). To work armed the holder also needs the armed licensee firearm registration. 12 CE hours per two-year renewal (.1202).

Unarmed Armored Car Service Guard Registration: Employee of a licensed armored car company who does not carry a firearm (14B NCAC 16 .1300). Must be 18+. First 4 hours of the 16-hour unarmed armored car service guard course within 20 days of hire, remainder within 30 days of permanent employment (.1407); taught by a PPS-certified unarmed trainer. Employer files the online application.

Private Investigator License: Individual license under G.S. 74C issued by the same Board that registers guards. Requires 3 years (3,000 hours) of verifiable investigative experience with a private employer or a governmental agency in an investigative capacity, or 2 years military investigative MOS within 5 years; degree credit available (14B NCAC 16 .0401). Background investigation takes 2-4 months. 12 CE hours per renewal period. Armed PIs must complete the 4-hour legal block plus firearms training and hold an armed licensee registration (.0807).

Private Investigator Associate (Trainee Permit): Trainee permit for someone accumulating investigative experience under a licensed PI with a Written Plan of Supervision (14B NCAC 16 .1100, three supervision levels). Hours earned count toward the PI license.

Unarmed Guard Trainer Certificate: Certifies an individual to teach the 16-hour unarmed guard and unarmed armored car guard courses (14B NCAC 16 .0909). Requires 18+, one year of security or law-enforcement/military experience, licensee recommendation, and completion of the Board-approved unarmed trainer course (topics total roughly 14 hours plus a 45-minute presentation) or a NC Criminal Justice General Instructor certificate. Two-year term; renewal requires certifying delivery of at least 16 hours of unarmed training during the period. Must be kept active while holding a firearms trainer certificate.

Firearms Trainer Certificate: Certifies an individual to teach the 20-hour armed guard course and annual recertification. Requires the unarmed registration standards including 18+ (14B NCAC 16 .0901(a)(1), .0703), one year of experience with a contract or proprietary security organization or a law-enforcement agency, the 40-hour NC Justice Academy Firearms Trainer course (handgun and shotgun, night fire, range operation) with 90% day and night qualification, plus a 24-hour basic instructional skills course unless holding an equivalent instructor certification. Renewal requires an 8-hour Board-approved firearms trainer refresher with 90% requalification within 180 days of application (14B NCAC 16 .0904). Must maintain the unarmed trainer certificate concurrently.

Electronic Countermeasures License: Individual license to locate or disable listening/monitoring devices (technical surveillance countermeasures). Requires three years of counterintelligence/ECM experience within 10 years or completion of a Board-approved counterintelligence course (14B NCAC 16 .0402). Trainee license also exists.

Working armed in North Carolina

Armed guards (18+; 21+ to carry concealed) complete both the 16-hour unarmed and 20-hour armed courses, qualify at 80% on the range with their duty weapon, and take a 4-hour recertification course within 180 days of each annual renewal.

Armed Security Guard Registration: Minimum age 18: the same standards as unarmed registration (14B NCAC 16 .0803). The 16-hour unarmed course plus a 20-hour armed course completed within 14 consecutive days and no more than 90 days before applying, with 80% range qualification on the duty weapon (.0807). Renewal requires a 4-hour recertification course (valid 180 days) and requalification. The permit expires if employment ends. Concealed carry on duty needs a sheriff's concealed handgun permit (21+, G.S. 14-415.12) and a Board endorsement (.0808).

Armed Armored Car Service Guard Firearm Registration Permit: Must be 18+ (14B NCAC 16 .1403, .1303), complete the 16-hour unarmed armored car service guard course, then the 20-hour Board firearms course (legal 4h, safety 1h, handgun operation 3h, marksmanship 8h, night firing 4h) plus day and night range qualification at 80% on a B-27 with the company-owned duty weapon; shotgun adds 4 hours. Annual renewal requires 4 hours of classroom recertification plus day and night requalification (14B NCAC 16 .1400). Renewal must be received before expiration or the full 20-hour course is required again. Concealed carry endorsement available with a NC CHP.

Keep your North Carolina credential alive

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