Security Guard Agency License

A security guard agency license is required to:

• Conduct a business that provides security guard services for compensation
• Maintain an office in the State for that business
• Employ individuals as security guards to provide security guard services
• Represent to the public as a security guard agency

Process updates/changes

• January 2026 - The Licensing Portal was modified to allow Security Guard Agencies to employ and submit applications for Special Police Officers after vetoed Senate Bill 455 (2025) - PDF was overrode by the MD General Assembly in a December 2025 Special Session.​
• ​Senate Bill 760 2023 - PDF mandating Security Guard Training, creating Security Guard Employers and establishing reporting requirements. Effective: 1/1/2025

Who should apply

• An individual or firm who wishes to conduct business or solicit to engage in a business providing Security Guard services in the State. Security guard services include any activity that is performed for compensation as a security guard to protect any individual or property, except the activities of an individual while performing as:
  • a marine guard or ship watchmen stationed on a ship or a pier;
  • a special police officer appointed and performing duties under Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article or § 16–16A of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City; or
  • an unarmed employee of a bar, tavern, or restaurant.

Qualifications

An applicant must be of good character and reputation. If the applicant is a firm, each firm member shall be of good character and reputation. The individual or firm representative shall be at least 25 years of age and must meet the required experience:

• At least 5 years working full-time as a certified or licensed private detective in Maryland; or
• At least 5 years as a full-time police officer with an organized police agency and have successfully completed a police officer training course recognized and approved by the Maryland Police Training Commission; or
• At least 3 years of investigative experience as a detective while serving as a police officer with an organized police agency; or
• At least 3 years of experience in an investigative capacity in any unit of the United States, of the State, or of a county or municipal corporation of the State for the purpose of law enforcement; and completed successfully the police officer training required by the Maryland Police Training Commission; or
• At least 5 years working as a full-time fire investigator for a fire department or law enforcement agency of the State or of a county or municipal corporation in Maryland, and have successfully completed training certified by the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission; or
• At least 5 years of experience as a full-time correctional supervisor in a correctional facility in the State; and completed successfully the training required by the Correctional Training Commission​​.

Pre-application requirements

Maryland Residents: Submit Livescan fingerprints to the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System CJIS and the FBI. Authorized Livescan vendors can be found at Fingerprinting Services. Below is the information that you will need to provide to the Livescan technician for fingerprinting:

• Agency Authorization Number: 9400082495
  Agency ORI Number: MDMSP6000
  Reason Fingerprinted: MD Business Occupations and Professions Sections 13-101 & 13-804;

Livescan fingerprints are only valid for 30 days from the date that they were submitted to CJIS and the FBI. Your Security Guard Agency application must be submitted to the Maryland State Police within this 30-day period or new Livescan fingerprints will be required.

Non-Maryland Residents: If the agency representative is not a resident of Maryland, please email the Professional Licensing Unit to obtain the appropriate fingerprint cards and instructions for submission; 

Applicants must sign and date the FBI Privacy Act Statement - PDF before submitting their fingerprints.​

• Submit proof of commercial general liability insurance, as required under § 19–504 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article;
• A digital color passport style photograph taken within 30 days prior to the date that you submit the application;
• Additional documentation which may include tax verification documentation, the company articles of organization or other documentation as required.
• Additionally, Non-Maryland resident applicants shall submit consent and any related documents as required by § 19–505 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article. 

How to apply

Create or log into your existing Licensing Portal account.

1. Complete the application in the Licensing Portal.
2. Upload the pre-application requirements and any additional documentation to the document section of the application.
3. Pay the required application fee electronically upon submission of the application to the Maryland State Police.

Please allow 90 days for completion of the application process.

License renewal

A security guard agency license is valid for 3 years, expiring in either January or July, depending on the initial application date. It is renewable for an additional 3 year term.

At least 90 days prior to expiration, the Licensing Division will electronically send the licensee a renewal notice which will state:

• the date on which the current license expires;
• that the renewal application must be submitted at least 15 days before the current license expiration date, for timely issuance;
• the amount of the renewal fee;
• that, if the renewal application is not received at least 15 days before the license expires, a fee of $10 per day shall be charged until the application is submitted; and
• a warning that false statements are cause for revocation of the license.

The Maryland State Police must receive the renewal application 15 days before expiration.

The licensee must submit the following with their application:

1. Tax Compliance: Certification or other documentation confirming that the agency has paid all withholding and Social Security taxes for the past 3 years.
2. Other State and Federal Obligations: Certification or other documentation confirming that the agency has paid all other obligations due to the State or federal government for its employees for the past 3 years.
3. Workers' Compensation Insurance: A certificate from an insurance carrier or other documentation demonstrating current workers' compensation insurance coverage for its covered employees
4. State Income Tax: A receipt from the Comptroller's Office or other documentation showing that the agency's State income tax has been paid for the past 3 years.

Application fees

Acceptable methods of payment include Visa or MasterCard. Application​ fees are non-refundable.

All application fees are collected electronically in the Licensing Portal. Application fees do not include fingerprint fees. 

Application timeline

• Applicant: Once the above pre-application requirements have been satisfied, the initial application can be completed within 45-60 minutes. Renewal applications can be completed within 20-30 minutes.
• Licensing Division processing time: Once the completed application and the required fees are received, the applicant will be notified of the decision within 90 days.
• Incomplete Applications: Applications received by the Licensing Division will be reviewed for completeness​ within 5-10 business ​days. Applicants who submitted an incomplete application will be notified via email within 5 business days of the review. Failure to respond within 15 days will result in the application being cancelled.

Advisories & documents

Visit the archive section to download any prior Advisories and documents.

Questions?