How to become a security guard in West Virginia
Here's exactly what West Virginia requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.
Get your West Virginia Individual Security Guard License
Unusual among states: WV licenses the individual guard directly through the Secretary of State (W. Va. Code §30-18). Firm employment is optional, not required — a licensed individual may work solo.
- 1Confirm eligibilityBe 18+, a US citizen or legal resident, of good moral character, with no felony convictions and no prior license revocation/denial in WV or another state.
- 2Meet the training/experience standardSatisfy the education, supervised-experience, blended, or military-training path described above and document it.
- 3Gather required documentsOne passport-style color photo (taken within 1 year) and five character-reference letters from unrelated citizens who've known you 5+ years.
- 4File the bond/insurance and submitPost a $5,000 surety bond OR proof of liability insurance, then mail the application with the $50 processing fee and $150/$550 license fee to the WV Secretary of State Licensing Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Bldg 1, Suite 157-K, Charleston, WV 25305.
West Virginia has no security-specific armed permit — general firearm law applies
WV has NO security-specific armed credential — armed work is the standard guard licence + general WV firearm law (Ch. 61 Art. 7).
- 1Know there's no separate armed-guard credentialW. Va. Code Article 30-18 (the security-guard licensing statute) is silent on armed guard work — there is no security-specific armed permit layered on top of the guard license.
- 2Follow West Virginia's general firearm lawCarrying a firearm on duty falls under WV's general concealed-carry/firearm statutes (Ch.61, Art.7), not a security-specific rule — confirm current age and permit requirements before carrying.
- 3Check with your employer or the Secretary of StateOperational handling of armed guard work isn't spelled out in the statute — confirm expectations with your employer/firm and, if in doubt, the WV Secretary of State Licensing Division.
License your own West Virginia security guard firm
This is WV's company/agency route — a sole trader can be their own qualifying agent, so incorporation isn't required to run your own guard firm.
- 1Choose a business structureOrganize as a sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, LLC, LLP, or voluntary association, and register with the WV Secretary of State (or file a certificate of good standing if formed out-of-state).
- 2Designate a qualifying agentName one person — eligible to be licensed as a security guard — who is responsible for the firm's security-guard operations; as a sole trader, this can be you.
- 3Assemble documentsOne photo (within 1 year) for the qualifying agent and each officer/member/partner, five character references per person, and the qualifying agent's training/experience proof.
- 4File bond/insurance, fees, and submitPost a $5,000 surety bond or liability insurance, pay the $50 processing fee + $250 firm license fee, and submit the complete package to the WV SoS Licensing Division.
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.