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How to become a security guard in Maine

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

Guard license

No individual guard license in Maine — you're hired through a licensed security company

Maine does not license individual unarmed guards — regulation attaches to the Contract Security Company that employs you. There is also no separate individual armed permit; armed status is a company-filed pre-arm certification (32 M.R.S. §9410-A(4)).

TrainingSet by employer — no state-mandated hours for unarmed guards
CostNo state fee for individuals (licensing cost sits with the employer)
ExamNone — no state test for guards; the employer runs your background check and reports you to the Commissioner
RenewsN/A — no individual credential to renew
  1. 1Get hired by a Maine-licensed Contract Security CompanyMaine licenses the COMPANY, not individual guards (32 M.R.S. Ch.93 §9404). Apply to an employer that already holds a current Contract Security Company license from Maine State Police.
  2. 2Your employer vets and reports youUnder §9410-A, the licensed company must background-check each guard it hires and report them to the DPS Commissioner — you don't file anything yourself.
  3. 3No personal card is issuedThere's no guard card or certificate to carry; your authorization to work comes from your employer's company license.
  4. 4Want to go armed or run your own company instead?Armed work requires a company-level pre-arm certification filed by your employer (no individual armed permit). To operate your own security business, see the agency track below.
Learn more
Agency / master

Maine Contract Security Company License (Maine State Police)

This is Maine's self-employed / sole-trader route — a natural person can hold the Contract Security Company license directly in their own name (32 M.R.S. §9407) rather than forming a separate legal entity.

Training—
CostSurety bond $10,000 (ME resident) / $50,000 (non-resident); license fee not published online — confirm with MSP Licensing Unit
Min age18
ExamNo licensing exam — character/background and bond review
RenewsAnnual
  1. 1Confirm eligibility18+, U.S. citizen or resident alien, not dishonorably discharged, and no disqualifying convictions (32 M.R.S. §9405).
  2. 2Secure your surety bond$10,000 bond if you're a Maine resident, $50,000 if not (§9409), filed with the Commissioner.
  3. 3File the Contract Security Company applicationSubmit the New Application (CSC) form to Maine State Police, Bureau of Licensing (32 M.R.S.A. §9401-9418).
  4. 4Background-check and report every guard you hireOnce licensed, vet and report each employee-guard to the Commissioner (§9410-A); armed staff need a company-filed pre-arm certification before carrying.
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.