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How to become a security guard in Alabama

Here's exactly what Alabama requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.

Guard license

Get your Alabama Security Regulatory Board Personal License

The Alabama Security Regulatory Board is now fully operational and actively licensing individual officers (fee schedule updated 2025-07-01) — this corrects older guidance that said Alabama had no licensing.

Training8 hrs board-approved initial training + board-approved use-of-force training
Cost$112 personal license fee (nonrefundable)
Min age18
ExamNo separate written exam — Certified Trainer course completion + FBI/ABI background check
RenewsRenewal required — see ASRB renewal schedule
  1. 1Check eligibilityBe 18+, a US citizen or resident alien, and clear of disqualifying felony/misdemeanor convictions or sex-offender registration.
  2. 2Complete board-approved trainingComplete at least 8 hours of initial training plus use-of-force training with an ASRB Certified Trainer.
  3. 3Submit your Personal License ApplicationSend the ASRB Personal License Application with 2 passport-style photos, an FBI-approved fingerprint card, and the $112 fee.
  4. 4Work under a Temporary or Personal LicenseA Temporary License covers you while ASRB processes your Personal License application.
Open the official portal
Armed / firearm

Get certified as an armed security officer in Alabama

Alabama's permitless-carry law does NOT remove this occupational armed-guard certification requirement (Ala. Code §34-27C-11) — a personal carry permit alone is not enough.

Training14 hrs ASRB armed certification course (board-approved firearms safety training)
CostIncluded with Personal License process, plus your county sheriff pistol permit fee
Min age21
ExamFirearms qualification per ASRB board rule
RenewsRenewal required — see ASRB renewal schedule
  1. 1Hold (or co-apply for) the unarmed Personal LicenseYou must meet all unarmed security officer requirements, and be at least 21 for armed status.
  2. 2Get a county sheriff pistol permitObtain a pistol permit from your county sheriff — required in addition to any general carry rights.
  3. 3Complete ASRB armed certification trainingComplete the board-approved armed/firearms safety training (14 hours).
  4. 4File for armed certification with ASRBSubmit your armed security officer certification alongside your Personal License application.
Open the official portal
Agency / master

License your own one-person contract security company in Alabama

This is the self-employed/sole-trader route: a licensed individual can be their own company's Qualifying Agent rather than working under someone else's agency.

TrainingN/A for the company — the Qualifying Agent must be a licensed security officer with 3+ years of supervisory/law-enforcement experience
Cost$250 Contract Security Company license fee (+$125 late fee if applicable)
Exam—
RenewsRenewal required — see ASRB renewal schedule
  1. 1Become (or designate) a Qualifying AgentA sole owner-operator can serve as their own Qualifying Agent if they hold an ASRB Personal License and have 3+ years of qualifying supervisory or law-enforcement experience.
  2. 2Arrange required company insuranceSecure $2,000,000 bodily-injury/personal liability + $200,000 property insurance, plus a workers' comp endorsement.
  3. 3Submit the Company License ApplicationFile the ASRB Contract Security Company Application together with the Qualifying Agent's Personal License and Certification of Experience, plus the $250 fee.
  4. 4Start operating as a licensed companyOnce approved, you can legally run a one-person contract security company under ASRB.
Open the official portal

Once you're licensed

Create your free XGuard profile now — upload your license the moment you have it, and we'll verify it and start matching you to paid security work near you.

Start your XGuard profile

XGuard guides you to the official process; the state issues your license. Figures are sourced from official regulators and verified before publishing, but requirements can change — always confirm on the official portal linked above.