How to become a security guard in Arkansas
Here's exactly what Arkansas requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.
Get your Arkansas Private Security Officer (PSO) credential
The PSO credential is filed by your employing licensed agency, not by you directly — to work solo you need your own agency license (see the agency track).
- 1Get hired by a licensed Arkansas security agencyArkansas issues the PSO credential through your employer — you generally cannot self-file as an individual without an employing licensed agency (unless you hold your own agency license, see the agency track).
- 2Complete Phase I trainingComplete 8 hours of basic instruction covering legal limits of authority, state security regulations, and report writing, then pass the proficiency exam.
- 3Employer files your credential applicationYour employer must submit your PSO application package to Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services within 14 calendar days of your hire date.
- 4Renew every 2 yearsComplete 6 hours of renewal training in the 12 months before your credential expires.
Get commissioned as an armed Arkansas Commissioned Security Officer (CSO)
Armed work in Arkansas requires the separate CSO commission on top of the base PSO credential.
- 1Hold an Arkansas PSO credentialYou must already be credentialed (or in process) as an unarmed Private Security Officer, and be at least 21.
- 2Complete CSO firearms trainingComplete the firearms training and qualification set by the Arkansas State Police Director for Commissioned Security Officer status.
- 3Apply for the CSO commissionYour licensed employing agency (or your own agency, if self-employed) applies for your CSO commission through ASP Regulatory Services.
- 4Maintain your commissionKeep qualification current per ASP renewal requirements to retain armed status.
License your own one-person private security agency in Arkansas
Exact sole-proprietor qualifying-manager specifics are not fully detailed in public sources — confirm current requirements directly with ASP Regulatory Services before filing.
- 1Meet the qualifying-manager requirementA sole owner-operator can typically act as their own qualifying manager, with 2 years of relevant security/law-enforcement experience.
- 2Arrange required insuranceSecure agency public liability insurance of at least $500,000.
- 3File your agency license applicationSubmit a private security agency license application to Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services.
- 4File your own PSO credentialAs your own employer, file your PSO credential (and CSO commission if armed) through your newly licensed agency.
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 profileXGuard 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.