State licensing guides for security officers
Every state sets its own rules for security officers. Pick your state to see the license you need, the training hours, the fees, the background check, the armed license and what officers earn, from the state’s own official sources.
Guides by state
- CaliforniaSecurity Guard Registration ("Guard Card")Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
- FloridaClass "D" Security Officer LicenseFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Licensing
- GeorgiaNo unarmed registration; armed officers register with the BoardGeorgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies
- IllinoisPermanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
- New JerseySecurity Officer Registration (SORA)New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit
- New YorkSecurity Guard registrationNew York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
- OhioSecurity guard registration (filed by your employer)Ohio Homeland Security, Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS)
- PennsylvaniaNo statewide unarmed license; armed officers need Act 235 certificationPennsylvania State Police, Lethal Weapons Training Program
- TexasNon-Commissioned Security Officer license (Level II)Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program
- VirginiaUnarmed Security Officer/Courier registrationVirginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
More states are coming. Each guide says when its facts were last checked against the state’s official pages.
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