How to become a security guard in Minnesota
Here's exactly what Minnesota requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.
No individual guard license in Minnesota — guards work as employees of a licensed protective agency
MN licenses only the agency (protective agent); individual guards are unlicensed employees working under a licensed agency.
- 1Get hired by an MN-licensed protective agencyMinnesota licenses the AGENCY (Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services, Minn. Stat. §326.336); individual guards are unlicensed employees of that agency, not separate license holders.
- 2No personal application to the BoardYou don't file anything with the Board yourself — the licensed agency employs and supervises you.
- 3Complete whatever training your employer requiresEspecially if the role may involve weapons or restraint techniques, which trigger board-certified training rules (Minn. R. 7506.2300).
- 4Want to be armed, or run your own agency?See the Firearm track (board-certified armed training) and the Agency track (your own Protective Agent license) below.
Minnesota board-certified armed training (required to carry as a guard)
Armed protective agents need board-certified weapons training + annual recert (Minn. Stat. 326.3361); a CCW alone does not qualify.
- 1Be employed by (or hold) a licensed protective agencyArmed certification is tied to your employing agency's license — it isn't a stand-alone state permit.
- 2Complete a board-certified training programMust cover firearms safety/proper use, other weapons (batons, chemical/electronic devices), and use-of-force + first-aid alternatives (Minn. R. 7506.2300).
- 3Recertify every yearMinn. Stat. §326.3361 requires ongoing certified training to keep carrying on duty.
Minnesota Protective Agent License (Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services)
This is MN's sole-trader/self-employment route — apply as an Individual (sole proprietor and day-to-day manager) rather than a Corporation/LLC.
- 1Document 6,000 hours of qualifying protective experienceRequired by the Board before it will license you as a Protective Agent.
- 2Get your $10,000 surety bond + proof of financial responsibilityMinn. Stat. §326.3382 requires the bond plus insurance, net worth, or a letter of credit.
- 3Submit fingerprints, photo, 5 references, and the application packetChoose the Individual (sole proprietor) or Corporation/LLC packet from the Board.
- 4Pay the license fee$800 (Individual) or $1,800 (Corporation/LLC); license renews every 2 years.
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.