How Do I Become a Security Guard?
To become a security guard, you must usually be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, complete your state's required training, and hold a state license where one is required. Most states license guards, and the details differ by state. You can then work for a company or, once licensed, take independent work.
What do you need before you apply?
The basic requirements are similar almost everywhere in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the federal agency that tracks jobs and pay, reports that the basic requirements are being at least 18 years old, passing a background check, and completing training. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education level, although some jobs do not ask for formal credentials.
Beyond that, every state sets its own rules. Most states license security guards, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, while a few leave licensing to cities or counties and a small number have no state license for unarmed guards at all. That is why the first step is always to find out what your own state requires before you pay for any course.
What training does an unarmed guard need?
Unarmed work is the usual way in. Most states that license guards require a set number of training hours before or soon after you are registered. The federal agency notes that many states recommend about 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of training each year. Actual requirements differ widely, so treat those figures as a general picture only.
Topics usually include the limits of a guard's authority, report writing, emergency procedures, and how to deal with the public calmly. Choose a course that your state regulator approves, because a certificate from an unapproved school may not count toward your license.
How does the background check work?
Most licensing agencies take your fingerprints and check them against state and Federal Bureau of Investigation records. You normally pay the fingerprinting fee yourself. Recent or violent convictions can lead to a denial, and the rules on older or minor records vary by state. If you have a record, read the answer on whether a felony rules you out before spending money on training.
Should you start with an employer or work independently?
There are two common routes. In the first, a security company hires you, often arranges or pays for some training, and assigns you to sites such as retail stores, offices, or events. The second route is independent work, where you hold your own license and agree your own rate with each client.
Most people begin with an employer to gain experience, and many then move to independent work. Independent work usually means you cover your own costs, such as license renewals, uniforms, and travel, so your rate needs to account for them. XGuard is a marketplace, not a security company. It does not employ guards or hold licenses. Professionals are identity verified and have their license checked before they are listed, and they set their own rates.
What are the steps in order?
Here is the usual sequence, though the order of some steps changes by state.
- Confirm your state's rules on the state guide at xguard.app/get-licensed.
- Check you meet the age and background requirements.
- Complete training from a provider your state approves.
- Submit fingerprints, your application, and the fee.
- Receive your license or registration and carry it on duty.
- Renew on time and complete any yearly training.
What mistakes should new guards avoid?
The most common mistake is paying for a course before checking that the state accepts it. The second is assuming the rules of a neighboring state apply to you. Licenses are issued state by state, so a card from one state usually does not allow you to work in another.
Another is ignoring the record check until the end. If you have any conviction, ask the regulator first. Finally, keep your documents together: training certificates, identification, your license, and renewal reminders. Employers and clients often ask to see them, and a lapsed license can end an assignment on the spot. Treat the license as your most important professional asset, and protect it by renewing early.
Related questions
Can you be a security guard at 18?
In most states, yes. Eighteen is the usual minimum age for an unarmed guard. Armed work often requires you to be 21, and the exact age depends on the state.
Do you need a license to work as an unarmed guard?
In most states you do. Some states leave it to local authorities, and a few have no state license for unarmed work. Check your state's page before you take a job.
How long does it take to become a guard?
Training often takes days to a few weeks. The background check and application then add time that depends on how busy your state agency is. Plan on several weeks in total.
Do I need a degree?
No. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education level, and some jobs do not require formal credentials.
Last reviewed