Security guard license requirements by state

Guard card is the everyday name for an individual security officer license. In California it is the Security Guard Registration issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Other states call it a license, a registration, a work card, a permit or a certification, and the agency that issues it can be the state police, a licensing department or a dedicated board.

Where the state licenses officers one by one, the officer usually needs the credential, or at least a pending application, before working a post. Where the state licenses only the security company, the company carries the obligations: training, background checks and records of who works for it.

California, Florida, Texas, New York, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona and New Jersey, field by field: the credential, the training, how long it lasts and what armed work adds.

California

• Credential: Security Guard Registration (guard card), issued by Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, California Department of Consumer Affairs (opens in a new tab).
• Training: Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours) before the registration is issued, then 32 hours of security officer skills training within 6 months (16 within 30 days of employment if not already done); 40 hours total, plus 8 hours of continuing training every year.
• Valid for: 2 years; renewal application due at least 60 days before expiration (16 CCR 627).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Separate BSIS Firearms Permit (exposed firearm permit) required in addition to the guard registration.

Florida

• Credential: Class D Security Officer License, issued by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing (opens in a new tab).
• Training: Minimum 40 hours of professional training from an FDACS-licensed security officer school or training facility (in person or live online).
• Valid for: 2 years (renewed biennially under s. 493.6113, F.S.).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Separate Class G Statewide Firearm License required to carry a firearm.

Texas

• Credential: Non-Commissioned Security Officer license (Level II), issued by Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, Private Security Program (opens in a new tab).
• Training: not confirmed on an official source, check with the regulator.
• Valid for: 2 years from date of issuance.
• Armed work: Level III Commissioned Security Officer license (security officer commission) required for armed work.

New York

• Credential: Security Guard Registration (registration card), issued by New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 8-hour Pre-Assignment course before applying, 16-hour On-the-Job course within 90 days of employment, then an 8-hour Annual In-Service course every year.
• Valid for: 2 years.
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Armed guards also need a 47-hour firearms course, a valid New York pistol license and an 8-hour annual firearms course.

Nevada

• Credential: Work card (employee registration with the PILB), issued by Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (opens in a new tab).
• Training: not confirmed on an official source, check with the regulator.
• Valid for: 5 years (NRS 648.1493).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Armed guards need an armed work card / firearm certification through a PILB-approved firearms course.

Illinois

• Credential: Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), issued by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 20 hours of basic training within 30 days of employment, plus 8 hours of refresher training each calendar year starting the year after the first employment anniversary (225 ILCS 447/25-20).
• Valid for: 3-year statewide renewal cycle: PERCs expire on May 31 every third year (IDFPR PERC application instructions; the Act leaves expiration to Department rule).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Firearm Control Card (FCC) required for armed work; minimum age 21.

Georgia

• Credential: none for unarmed guards. The regulator is Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 24 hours of classroom basic training by a Board-certified instructor, completed before providing security services (Rule 509-3-.02, effective January 1, 2022).
• Armed work: Armed guards must be individually registered with the Board and hold a Board weapon permit: at least 15 hours of firearms classroom training, 80% range score, annual requalification, minimum age 21.
• For the company: Unarmed guards do not get a personal state card, but the contract security company must hold a Board private security company license, ensure each unarmed guard completes the 24 hours of Board-standard training before working, and keep the training certificates (5-year retention). Unarmed guards remain governed by the Board under O.C.G.A. 43-38-7.1 and must wear a uniform (Rule 509-4-.02).

Tennessee

• Credential: Unarmed Security Guard/Officer registration, issued by Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Private Protective Services (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 4 hours from a certified trainer (orientation, legal powers and limitations, emergency procedures, general duties, 1 hour each) plus an exam; may be completed within 15 days of employment, but before posting at any K-12 school.
• Valid for: 2 years; renewal requires a 2-hour refresher course from a certified trainer (since January 1, 2023).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Separate Armed Security Guard/Officer registration with firearms training and qualification required.

Arizona

• Credential: Security Guard Registration Certificate (unarmed guard card), issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety, Licensing Unit (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 8-hour DPS-approved unarmed pre-assignment course, completed before the application is submitted.
• Valid for: 4 years (A.R.S. 32-2624, as amended in 2025; previously 2 years).
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Separate Armed Security Guard registration: DPS 16-hour firearms course before armed assignment plus 8 hours of annual firearms refresher training.

New Jersey

• Credential: Security Officer Registration (SORA certificate of registration), issued by New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit (opens in a new tab).
• Training: 24-hour SORA training course taught by a state-certified instructor; 8-hour refresher course for each renewal.
• Valid for: 2 years for unarmed officers.
• Minimum age: 18.
• Armed work: Armed officers need an armed SORA registration renewed every year plus a New Jersey permit to carry a handgun.

Still on a spreadsheet? Our free security guard schedule template checks each officer's license expiry against the date of every shift.