ZOKPARTNERS · SECURITY TRADE RESOURCES

Security Firms

State licensing and renewal resources for contract security firms and the teams that keep their credentials current.

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Official state and agency links for every state except California, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York.

STATE-BY-STATE DIRECTORY

Licensing and renewal links

Security credentials differ by state and locality. Some links cover a specific license type or jurisdiction; read each note and confirm the requirements for your services with the issuing authority.

  • AL

    Alabama

    Alabama Security Regulatory Board

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • AZ

    Arizona

    Arizona Department of Public Safety · Security Guard and PI Licensing

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • AR

    Arkansas

    Arkansas State Police · Private Investigators and Security Companies

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • CO

    Colorado

    Denver Department of Excise and Licenses · Private Security Employers

    This application is for businesses operating in Denver. Confirm any licensing requirements with the city or county where the work will take place.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • CT

    Connecticut

    Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • DE

    Delaware

    Delaware State Police · Professional Licensing

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • FL

    Florida

    Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services · Private Security

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • GA

    Georgia

    Georgia Secretary of State · Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • ID

    Idaho

    Idaho Small Business Development Center · Licenses and Permits

    Idaho’s state business resource says security guard licensing is handled locally. Use its guidance to identify local requirements, then confirm them with the city or county clerk.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • IL

    Illinois

    Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation · Security Professions

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • IN

    Indiana

    Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • IA

    Iowa

    Iowa Department of Public Safety · Private Investigative and Security Business

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • KS

    Kansas

    City of Wichita · Private Merchant Police License Application

    Wichita’s private-merchant-police application covers firm licensing and renewal for contract protective services. It applies in Wichita only; confirm requirements with each other municipality where the firm operates.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • KY

    Kentucky

    Louisville Metro · Armed Security Agencies/Companies and Guards

    Louisville Metro requires armed security agencies and companies to be licensed, with agency licenses renewed annually. This covers armed security in Louisville Metro; confirm unarmed-service and other local requirements with the relevant authority.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • LA

    Louisiana

    Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • ME

    Maine

    Maine State Police · Professional Investigator and Contract Security Licenses

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MD

    Maryland

    Maryland State Police · Licensing Division

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MA

    Massachusetts

    Massachusetts State Police · Private Investigator and Watch Guard Licensing

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MI

    Michigan

    Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · Private Security Guard Agencies

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MN

    Minnesota

    Minnesota Department of Public Safety · Protective Agent Services

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MS

    Mississippi

    City of Hattiesburg · Private Security Ordinance

    Hattiesburg’s ordinance requires a permit for private security services and sets firm application and insurance requirements. This is a city-specific resource; confirm current procedures with the city and check each locality where the firm operates.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MO

    Missouri

    Kansas City Police Department · Private Officers Licensing

    This licensing resource applies to Kansas City, Missouri. Confirm local requirements with the authorities in other Missouri jurisdictions.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • MT

    Montana

    Montana Department of Labor and Industry · Private Security Program

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NE

    Nebraska

    Nebraska Secretary of State · Private Detectives

    The state’s private-detective agency licensing rules cover defined private-policing services, including some non-uniformed security work. Confirm how the rules apply to your specific services and any local requirements.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NV

    Nevada

    Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NH

    New Hampshire

    New Hampshire State Police · Security Agency Renewal Application

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NJ

    New Jersey

    New Jersey State Police · Security Agency Renewal Instructions

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NM

    New Mexico

    New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department · Private Investigations and Security Guard Licensing

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • NC

    North Carolina

    North Carolina Private Protective Services Board

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • ND

    North Dakota

    North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board · Application Forms

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • OH

    Ohio

    Ohio Homeland Security · Private Investigator Security Guard Services

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • OK

    Oklahoma

    Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training · Licensing

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • OR

    Oregon

    Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training · Private Security

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • PA

    Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop · Security Business Licensing Guide

    Pennsylvania’s official guide points security businesses to the Private Detective Act process through the county court and to Act 235 for armed personnel; follow the applicable path for your services.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • RI

    Rhode Island

    Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General · Security Guard Business Licenses

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • SC

    South Carolina

    South Carolina Law Enforcement Division · Private Investigations and Security Licenses

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • SD

    South Dakota

    Rapid City Finance Department · Security Business/Guard Licensing and Renewal Procedure

    This resource covers Rapid City’s local security licensing and renewal process only. Confirm requirements with each locality where the firm operates.

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • TN

    Tennessee

    Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance · Private Protective Services

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • TX

    Texas

    Texas Department of Public Safety · Private Security

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • UT

    Utah

    Utah Division of Professional Licensing · Security Companies and Guards

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • VT

    Vermont

    Vermont Secretary of State · Office of Professional Regulation

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • VA

    Virginia

    Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services · Private Security Services Businesses

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • WA

    Washington

    Washington State Department of Licensing · Security Guard Company Renewal

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • WV

    West Virginia

    West Virginia Secretary of State · Private Investigators and Security Guards

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • WI

    Wisconsin

    Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services · Private Detective/Security Agency

    Licensing & renewal resource
  • WY

    Wyoming

    Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation · Private Investigators and Security Firms FAQs

    The state agency says Wyoming does not issue a security-firm license; some municipalities may regulate firms. Check local rules and any applicable state business registrations.

    Licensing & renewal resource

These links open official state or agency resources. Credential types and local rules can vary; confirm the current requirements and renewal steps with the relevant authority before relying on them for a project.

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