Security Guard Certification

Qualifications

To be eligible for a Security Guard Certification in Maryland, an individual must:

• be at least 18 years old;
• meet the standards set by the Secretary COMAR 29.04.01.02;
• be an employee or an applicant for employment with a licensed security guard agency or a security guard employer;
• be of good moral character and reputation;
• not have been convicted of a disqualifying crime, under § 5–101 of the Public Safety Article;
• not have been convicted of a violent crime, under § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article;
• if currently or formerly employed as a police officer, not have any formal findings by a court, hearing board, or other governmental entity of unlawful or excessive use of force, or of making a false statement during their employment with the law enforcement agency;
• have satisfactorily completed 12 hours of initial security training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, or have been employed as a police officer in the 3 years immediately preceding the application; and
• be employed by or an applicant for employment with a licensed security guard agency or security guard employer.

Note: Individuals who are not currently employed by or applying for employment with a licensed security guard agency or a security guard employer are not eligible to apply for a State of Maryland Security Guard Certification.

You are not required to have a security guard certification if you are:

• Acting as marine guards or ship watchmen, whether stationed on a ship or a pier.
• Special police officers 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.
• Unarmed employees of bars, taverns, or restaurants.

Pre-Application Requirements

• 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: 9300000802
    Agency ORI Number: MDMSP6000
    Reason Fingerprinted: MD Business Occupations and Professions Sections 19-101 & 19-701

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

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

• Have successfully completed 12 hours of initial security training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission or documentation of being employed as a police officer in the 3 years immediately preceding the application
  • Additional information on security guard training requirements and approved security guard training can be found at Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission
• A digital  color passport style photograph taken within 30 days prior to the date that you submit the application.

How to apply

1. Create or log into your existing Licensing Portal account.
2. Complete the Security Guard Certification application.
3. Upload the pre-application requirements and any additional documentation to the document section of the application.
4. Once submitted, you’ll receive an email with the application number and PIN.
   Note: Your employer or agency will need this to access and complete your application.
5. Your security agency will review your application, confirm your information and submit the application along with the required fees.
6. The Licensing Division will review your application for completion, complete a background investigation, and may contact you for an interview.
7. Within 90 days, you’ll receive an email confirming whether you’re approved or disapproved.
8. If your application is approved, you will receive your certification via the US mail. Your certification is valid for 3 years from the year of issuance.
9. If your application is disapproved, you’ll need to contact the Licensing Division for more information.

Please allow 90 days for completion of the application process.

Certification renewal

To renew your certification, you must submit an application through the Licensing Portal at least 90 days before your current certification expires. You must include the following information:

• A properly completed renewal application;
• Documentation of satisfactory completing 8 hours of Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission approved continuing security training;
  • certified security guards who have not completed the 12 hour initial security guard training course, will be required to complete the 12 hour course for renewal;    
• A copy of the Livescan fingerprint receipt obtained from your Livescan vendor;
• The application fee; and
• Any applicable late fees.

The Maryland State Police will assess a $5 per day late fee, up to $150, if the certification renewal application is not received at least 30 calendar days before its expiration. Late fees will not be assessed if you did not make timely renewal because of incapacity, hospitalization, being called to active military duty, or other hardship.

Note: Security Guard Certification holders must update their Licensing Portal account with email/address changes or notify the Licensing Division by email within 30 days. Renewal reminders and other important notifications are sent to the email/address on file.

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. 

• Original/Initial: $15.00

• Renewal: $10.00

• Renewal Late Fee: $5.00 per day *
  * Renewal late fees begin if the renewal application is not received at least 30-days prior to the expiration date. Late fees accumulate to a maximum of $150.00. The Licensing Division may not certify any applicant that has outstanding late fee obligations.

Application timeline

• Applicant: Once the above pre-application requirements have been satisfied, the initial application can be completed within 30-60 minutes. Renewal applications can be completed within 15-30 minutes.
• Security Guard Agency or Security Guard Employer: Verification of applicant's identity, review of the application and documentation, and submission of the application and fees can be completed within 10-20 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.

Frequently asked questions

Statutes

The Maryland Security Guards Act is codified as Title 19 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Current versions of any statute can be found at LexisNexis or on the Maryland General Assembly's website.​​​

Advisories & documents

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

Questions?