State license required

How to become a security guard in North Dakota

Last reviewed August 28, 2026 · Regulator: North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (PISB)

North Dakota registers guards through the PISB on a tiered ladder: Apprentice Security Officer (12 hours of instruction or field training within 30 days), Security Officer (1,000 field hours + 32 classroom hours), and Commissioned Security Officer (4,000 field hours + 80 classroom hours).

At a glance

Credential	Training	Exam	Renewal
Apprentice Security Officer Registration $45 application + $40 criminal record search	Varies +12 hrs within 1 mo of hire	No	Every year
Security Officer Registration $45 application	32 hours	No	Every year

Steps to get started

Get hired by a licensed North Dakota security agency and register as an Apprentice Security Officer ($45 + $40 background).
Complete 12 hours of classroom instruction or supervised field training within 30 days.
Advance to Security Officer after 1,000 field hours plus 32 classroom hours.
Renew your registration annually by September 30.

Apprentice Security Officer Registration: Apprentices work under direct on-site supervision until the 12 hours are complete. Registrations renew annually.

Security Officer Registration: Requires 1,000 hours of registered apprentice field service plus 32 hours of in-person or live-remote classroom instruction. Military service can satisfy the field-hours requirement.

Working armed in North Dakota

Armed certification ($45) requires written and practical firearms instruction from a board-certified instructor, renewed annually by September 30.

Sources

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.

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