State by state · quoted from the source

Security guard license requirements, checked against each state's own rules

Every requirement on this site comes with the state agency's exact wording, a link to where it's published and the date we last checked it. If we can't find a state's official wording, we don't publish that state.

States published so far

• CaliforniaSecurity Guard Registration (the "guard card")
  Checked 2026-09-24
• GeorgiaSecurity employee registration
  Checked 2026-09-24
• New YorkSecurity Guard Registration
  Checked 2026-09-24
• North CarolinaUnarmed security guard registration
  Checked 2026-09-24
• OhioSecurity guard employee registration (filed by your employer)
  Checked 2026-09-24
• TexasNon-commissioned security officer license; armed work needs a commissioned security officer license
  Checked 2026-09-24

What you'll find on each state page

• Who can apply: minimum age and background check.
• Training hours before and after you start work, plus yearly training.
• Renewal timing, and fees where the state publishes them.
• The state agency's own words for every line, with a link to the source.
• A dated list of changes, so you can see when a rule was last updated here.

Planning to carry a firearm on the job? See armed security guard license requirements by state.

Need to check whether a New York guard's registration is active? See how to check a New York security guard license status online.

Looking for a California guard card? See how to look up a California guard card on the official BSIS search.

New to the term? See what a California guard card is and how it differs from a firearms permit.

Asking about a criminal record? See what state rules say about criminal history and guard registration.

Want the details side by side? See the state comparison table. Curious how we verify things? Read how we check.