XGuard

Security licensing requirements in New Zealand

In New Zealand, security licensing is handled by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority. XGuard requires guards working in New Zealand to provide security licence. Agencies are asked for security licence. These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in New Zealand to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges cover. The licence itself is issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority. Independent professionals and agencies both list on XGuard; local rules decide who must hold which licence.

How licensing works in New Zealand

Who licenses

The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA), within the Ministry of Justice.

Who needs a licence

Employees and contractors of a company providing private security services must hold a Certificate of Approval (CoA); a company holds a company licence and a sole trader holds an individual licence instead. Crowd controllers, property guards and personal guards need set training; remote monitoring is excluded from the minimum training, but monitoring officers must still show the skills needed. Working without a CoA can bring fines of up to NZD 20,000.

Steps

  1. Meet the eligibility and disqualifying criteria on the PSPLA site (details: varies — check the PSPLA (https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/licences-certificates/pspla/)).
  2. Complete the minimum training once: unit standards 27364, 27360 and 27361 (12 credits), the newer skills standards 40146, 40145 and 40147, or a New Zealand Certificate in Security (Foundation) Level 3 or (Advanced) Level 4.
  3. Or apply first for a temporary CoA, which lasts 3 months, takes about 10 days in most cases, and lets you work while training.
  4. Apply online: NZD 232 online or NZD 273 on paper (PSPLA fee page); the temporary certificate adds a fee; the fee is not refunded if declined.
  5. Validity period: varies — check the PSPLA (https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/licences-certificates/pspla/).

Typical timeline

The temporary CoA takes about 10 days; the PSPLA says applicants usually get a result within 7 or 8 weeks, longer if someone objects.

Documents XGuard checks

  • Security licenceRequired, expires

These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in New Zealand to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges cover. The licence itself is issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority.

Wages and verification

NZ Minimum Wage. Source

Verify a licence on the official public register.

XGuard verifies licences by document review and, where the regulator publishes a lookup, against that lookup.

Frequently asked

Who issues security licences in New Zealand?

Security licences in New Zealand are issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority.

Can I check a New Zealand security licence online?

Yes. Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority publishes a public lookup at https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/licences-certificates/pspla/public-register-of-licence-and-certificate-holders/. XGuard verifies licences by document review and, where the regulator publishes a lookup, against that lookup.

Does a security agency need its own licence in New Zealand?

XGuard asks agencies in New Zealand for: Security licence. These are the documents XGuard asks agencies in New Zealand to hold before they can list. XGuard checks them and never provides or arranges cover. The licence itself is issued by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority.

Next steps

Sources

Last verified: July 2, 2026

XGuard is a marketplace. It does not employ security professionals or issue licences, and it does not promise work. Requirements change, so confirm with the regulator before you apply.