How to become a security guard in North Dakota

Every North Dakota 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 a licensed North Dakota security agency; the agency files your Apprentice Security Officer registration ($45 + $40 record check, two fingerprint cards).
2. Complete 12 hours of classroom instruction or supervised field training within 30 days of registering.
3. Advance to Security Officer after 1,000 field hours plus 32 classroom hours (military service counts for the 1,000 hours).
4. Renew your registration annually by September 30 ($45; $15 a month late).

Apprentice Security Officer Registration: Apprentices work under direct on-site supervision until the 12 hours are complete. The 12 classroom hours may be in person, live remote or a board-approved online course (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-17). Field training is supervised by a commissioned officer or a security officer with 2,000 hours, at no more than four trainees per officer. Apprentices can't carry a firearm on duty. All registrations expire September 30; late renewal adds $15 a month.

Security Officer Registration: Requires 1,000 hours of registered apprentice field service plus 32 hours of in-person or live-remote classroom instruction. Active members of the armed forces, National Guard or reserves, and honorably discharged veterans, are deemed to meet the 1,000 hours (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-06; NDCC 43-30-04 covers former members not dishonorably discharged). Minimum rank for the armed certificate.

Commissioned Security Officer Registration: Top tier of ND's three-level registration (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-07): requires 3,000 hours of private security service as a registered security officer in addition to 1,000 hours as an apprentice (4,000 total) and 80 hours of board-required in-person or live-remote classroom instruction. Commissioned status is a prerequisite for the Licensed Security Provider license and for security trainer certification. No exam at this rank; the board's exam applies to the Licensed Security Provider license.

Registered Private Investigator (Agency Employee): Registration for an investigator employed by a licensed private detective agency (pages 1-3 of the PISB application, two fingerprint cards, passport photo). Expires September 30 annually. Armed work requires the separate armed certification.

Licensed Private Investigator: Individual PI license issued by the same board that registers security officers. Requires 2,000 hours of investigative service; the $150 application fee covers processing and the board's test. A Detective Agency license ($450) requires the PI license first. Expires September 30 each year.

Security Trainer Certification: Board certification required to deliver the classroom instruction for apprentice, security officer and commissioned officer registration (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-09). Must hold commissioned security officer rank AND have an instructor training course, equivalent training/experience, one year as an instructor at an educational institution, a relevant degree, or accredited vocational certification. Application requires curriculum, training documentation and resume; two fingerprint cards. Online apprentice courses need separate board approval and a course approval number (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-17).

Weapons (Armed) Instructor Certification: Conducts the written/practical firearms instruction and annual qualification for armed certificate holders (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-09.1). Qualify as a ND POST-certified weapons instructor, an NRA law-enforcement weapons instructor, or by completing a 24-month apprenticeship under a board-certified weapons instructor while holding at least security officer rank and an armed certificate.

Licensed Security Provider: Individual license to provide private security services in one's own right; applicant must already hold Commissioned Security Officer status and pass the board's exam within the 12 months before applying (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-02). A failed exam can be retaken after 30 days; after a second failure, after one year. Requires a $300,000 general liability with errors and omissions insurance certificate (93-02-02.1-12). Prerequisite to a Security Agency license ($450). Expires September 30 each year.

Working armed in North Dakota

Carrying on duty requires at least Security Officer rank, the same firearms training as North Dakota peace officers (written exam and shooting course) and a $45 armed certificate. Each year, a range qualification of 70% or better from a board-certified weapons instructor is due before September 30. Permitless concealed carry (NDCC 62.1-04-02) doesn't cover the job.

Armed Private Security Certificate: Endorsement added to a registration; the holder must already be at least Security Officer level (not apprentice). Requires the same firearms training as ND peace officers, including written exam and shooting course (N.D.A.C. 93-02-02.1-08; two failures = 30-day wait, third = one year). Annual range qualification of 70% or better, signed by a board-certified weapons instructor, must be submitted with the $45 fee before the September 30 expiration. North Dakota's permitless concealed carry (NDCC 62.1-04-02) doesn't cover on-duty carry. Also applies to registered investigators and licensees who carry.

Keep your North Dakota credential alive

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