How to become a security guard in Washington

Every Washington credential

All 5 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 (or secure an offer from) a licensed Washington security company.
2. Complete 8 hours of pre-assignment training with a certified trainer and pass the state exam.
3. Submit fingerprints and apply to the Department of Licensing ($106); the company can issue a temporary card good for up to 60 days.
4. Finish 8 hours of post-assignment training by June 30 or December 31 of the year after you were licensed.
5. Renew every year ($95) and complete 4 hours of refresher training each year.

Security Guard License: Applicants must be 18+, a U.S. citizen or resident noncitizen, and employed by or holding an offer from a licensed security company, with an application for each company of employment; a conviction can block the license if the director finds it directly relates to guard duties (RCW 18.170.030). Pre-assignment training is 8 hours (at least 4 in a classroom) followed by a Department of Licensing multiple-choice exam: every answer must be correct, or each missed question is reviewed and initialed by the applicant and trainer (WAC 308-18-300). Sworn peace officers employed full time within the last 5 years can skip the training by passing the exam. After the training and a complete application, the company may issue a temporary registration card, valid up to 60 days, for work at that company only and never armed (RCW 18.170.090). Initial post-assignment training is 8 hours, due by June 30 of the following year for guards licensed January to June, or December 31 of the following year for July to December; then 4 hours of refresher training each year, at least 3 of them on emergency response, post orders or life safety (RCW 18.170.105). The license lasts 1 year; one not renewed within a year of expiring is cancelled and the guard must requalify, training and exam included (WAC 308-18-160).

Certified Trainer Endorsement: A company principal or licensed (armed or unarmed) private security guard who scores at least 85% on the agency principal examination (WAC 308-18-320) and may then deliver and attest the 8-hour preassignment and 8-hour postassignment training (WAC 308-18-300/-305). Renewed annually with the underlying license; no limit on trainers per company. Firearms instruction is separate (WSCJTC PS-PI-BBRA firearms instructor certification, not a DOL credential).

Private Security Guard Company Principal / Qualifying Agent: The principal owner, principal partner or corporate qualifying agent is individually licensed alongside the company license (WAC 308-18-100) and must meet RCW 18.170.060 experience or pass a 50-question exam at 85% covering preassignment topics, Washington law, liability and security management (WAC 308-18-310). Renews annually; changing the principal costs $80 and requires the exam.

Working armed in Washington

Armed guards must be 21+, hold the guard license, and earn a company-specific firearms certificate from the Criminal Justice Training Commission ($200; 8-hour course, then 4 hours a year), then add the $10 armed endorsement. Firearms carried on duty must be owned or leased by the employer.

Armed Private Security Guard Endorsement: Requires a Washington guard license, age 21+, and a current firearms certificate from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (RCW 18.170.040). The guard may carry only firearms they have qualified with, and every firearm carried on duty must be owned or leased by the employer (RCW 18.170.050). A temporary registration card never covers armed work.

WSCJTC Private Security Firearms Certificate: Issued by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission under RCW 43.101.250-.260 and is the prerequisite for DOL's armed private security guard endorsement (WAC 308-18-120). Eight-hour initial program with a pass/fail written test and firearm qualification for each make/model carried, taught by a PS-PI-BBRA-certified firearms instructor; four-hour annual renewal training. Certificates are company-specific (a guard working for two companies needs two) and must be applied for by the employer through the Acadis portal; the certificate expires with the armed guard license (WAC 139-30-025) and proof of annual proficiency is kept in the company file.

Keep your Washington credential alive

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