How to become a security guard: license rules in every state
Each state sets its own rules for security guards. Pick a state for who issues the license, training and exam rules, fees and the steps, all from official state sources.
| State | State license | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Renew on or before expiration; renewal r |
| Alaska | Yes | 2 years; annual 8-hour refresher course |
| Arizona | Yes | 4 years |
| Arkansas | Yes | 2 years; at least 6 hours of renewal tra |
| California | Yes | Renew before expiration; 8 hours of secu |
| Colorado | No | |
| Connecticut | Yes | The card is valid for 5 years unless sus |
| Delaware | Yes | 5 years; expires on your birthdate; rene |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Renewal is required 'biannually' under 1 |
| Florida | Yes | 2 years (biennial renewal, s |
| Georgia | Yes | Registrations expire August 31 of each o |
| Hawaii | Yes | 3 years; all registrations renew by June |
| Idaho | No | |
| Illinois | Yes | PERCs expire May 31 every 3 years |
| Indiana | No | |
| Iowa | Yes | Agency licenses expire two years from is |
| Kentucky | No | |
| Louisiana | Yes | 2 years |
| Maine | No | |
| Maryland | Yes | 3 years; To renew: 8 hours of Commission |
| Massachusetts | No | |
| Michigan | No | |
| Minnesota | No | Renewal training: 6 hours a year of cert |
| Mississippi | No | |
| Missouri | No | |
| Montana | Yes | 1 year; all licenses renew by March 1 |
| Nebraska | No | |
| Nevada | Yes | 5 years |
| New Hampshire | Yes | 2 years; To renew: armed guards must req |
| New Jersey | Yes | 2 years; 8-hour refresher course with a |
| New Mexico | Yes | 3 years; at least 2 hours of approved co |
| New York | Yes | 2 years; two 8-hour annual in-service co |
| North Carolina | Yes | 1 year (G |
| North Dakota | Yes | 1 year; all registrations expire Septemb |
| Ohio | Yes | 1 year, on the anniversary of issue |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 3 years; 8 hours of continuing education |
| Oregon | Yes | 2 years; an unarmed renewal class is req |
| Pennsylvania | No | |
| Rhode Island | No | |
| South Carolina | Yes | 1 year; renew 30 to 60 days before expir |
| Tennessee | Yes | 2 years; 2 hours of refresher training b |
| Texas | Yes | 2 years |
| Utah | Yes | 2 years, renewing November 30 of even ye |
| Vermont | Yes | 2 years, expiring May 31 of odd years; c |
| Virginia | Yes | Up to 24 months |
| Washington | Yes | 1 year; at least 4 hours of annual refre |
| West Virginia | Yes | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | Yes | 2 years; renews by August 31 of each eve |
| Wyoming | No |