How to become a security guard in Louisiana
Here's exactly what Louisiana requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.
Louisiana Security Officer Registration (LSBPSE)
"Security officer" in Louisiana means an employee of an LSBPSE-licensed contract security company (R.S. 37:3272) — there's no path to register as an individual without an employer submitting on your behalf.
- 1Get hired by a licensed companyLouisiana registers officers through their employer (mode:agency) — an LSBPSE-licensed security company submits your registration; individuals cannot register independently.
- 2Complete background paperworkYour employer submits fingerprint cards and a 5-year employment/criminal-history disclosure to LSBPSE on your behalf.
- 3Complete pre-service trainingComplete the 8-hour pre-service S.O.S.T. training within 30 days of hire, plus 8 more hours within 60 days of your first work assignment, and pass the written exam.
- 4Stay currentComplete 8 hours of refresher training every 2 years (unarmed); renewal requires a letter from your licensed employer confirming continued employment.
Louisiana Armed Security Officer Firearms Qualification (LSBPSE)
Armed work requires this board-approved firearms training and range qualification on top of standard officer registration — a personal concealed-carry permit (CCW) alone is NOT sufficient (R.S. 37:3284).
- 1Register as a standard officer firstComplete standard security officer registration (see the Guard track) through an LSBPSE-licensed employer before pursuing armed status.
- 2Complete armed trainingComplete board-approved firearms training covering safety, lawful use of force, and judgment/decision-making, taught by an LSBPSE-licensed instructor.
- 3Pass range qualificationAchieve at least 80% marksmanship on an LSBPSE-approved silhouette target course.
- 4Requalify annuallyComplete annual refresher training, a written test of at least 50 questions, and renewed range qualification (R.S. 37:3284).
Louisiana Security Business License (LSBPSE Qualifying Agent)
This is Louisiana's sole-trader route: an individual with 3 years of qualifying experience can hold the company license as its qualifying agent (R.S. 37:3276). No separate statement was found confirming individual officers need no insurance — needs_review per the research doc.
- 1Confirm qualifying-agent experienceYou (or your qualifying agent) need 3 consecutive years as an employee, manager, or owner of a licensed security company, or as a law-enforcement officer — proprietary security and general military service do not count.
- 2Get insuredSecure $500,000 general liability insurance naming Louisiana as additional insured, covering hiring/training/retention, errors & omissions, firearms, and care/custody/control.
- 3Register your business nameRegister your company name with the Louisiana Secretary of State so it matches your LSBPSE application.
- 4Submit the applicationEmail your name, phone, address, and registered company name to LSBPSE with the $565.72 fee; the board issues a license or denial within 60 days.
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.