How to become a security guard in Louisiana
Louisiana security guards are licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed security guard in Louisiana, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a security guard in Louisiana?
- Of legal age
- U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Good moral character
- No crime of violence conviction; no other felony within 10 years (or within 10 years of finishing sentence)
- Not declared mentally incompetent; no habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction
- Hired by (affiliated with) a licensed security company
- Fingerprint background check
Louisiana security guard license requirements
| State license | Yes. Every security officer must hold a state registration card from the Board, issued through a licensed security company. |
|---|---|
| Licensed by | Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners |
| License name | Security Officer Registration Card |
| Education or training | 16 hours of Security Officer Standards and Training (S.O.S.T. 1101 and 1102) by a Board-licensed instructor, finished before the first work assignment. Qualifying out-of-state officers may take a 4-hour S.O.S.T. course. |
| Exam | You must pass an exam for each S.O.S.T. course. |
| License term | 2 years |
How much does it cost?
| Initial security officer registration | $75 |
|---|---|
| Registration renewal | $65 |
| Status change, transfer or reinstatement | $30 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a security guard in Louisiana
- Get hired by a licensed Louisiana security company
- Create a profile in the LSBPSE Registration & Licensing Portal
- Complete the Initial Security Officer Application and request affiliation with the company
- Company accepts affiliation and uploads ID and Form I-9
- Pay the fee and complete the background check
- Complete S.O.S.T. 1101 and 1102 and pass the exams
- Start work only after you receive your registration card
Apply on the official Louisiana site
How do you check a security guard's license in Louisiana?
- Search the name or license number on the official Louisiana security guard license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.