How to become a security guard in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no statewide security guard license. Here is what it takes to work as a security guard in Pennsylvania, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Part of the state's website could not be reached when we checked, so some details come from Pennsylvania law and official forms. Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Who can become a security guard in Pennsylvania?
- Employers licensed under the Private Detective Act may not hire people with felony convictions or certain listed offenses
- New hires sign a verified employee statement and the employer files their fingerprints with the county court
Pennsylvania security guard license requirements
| State license | No statewide license. Pennsylvania has no state license for unarmed security guards. Watch, guard and patrol agencies are licensed by the county court of common pleas under the Private Detective Act of 1953, and guards who carry a lethal weapon need state certification under the Lethal Weapons Training Act (Act 235). |
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Steps to become a security guard in Pennsylvania
- Find an employer that holds a county guard or detective agency license
- Complete the employer's verified employee statement
- Have your fingerprints taken; the employer files one set with the county court
- If the job requires carrying a lethal weapon, complete Act 235 certification first
How do you check a security guard's license in Pennsylvania?
- 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.