How to get a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential license in Arkansas

Arkansas security guard licenses

Arkansas issues 4 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Arkansas security guard licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Applicants born outside the United States must prove eligibility to work in the U.S. (passport, naturalization papers, permanent residency card, work permit, etc.).¹

Social Security number

Driver's license number and Social Security number are required on the application.¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, media.ark.org)⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²

When it expires

Renew no earlier than 90 days before expiration with the renewal form, renewal fee, proof of required training and two passport-style photos. A credential not renewed within six months after expiration cannot be renewed; you must apply as new.²

If it expires

Not renewed within six months after expiration: no renewal; meet all initial requirements again.²

Renew online

media.ark.org⁴

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: ASP expedites licensing for uniformed service members stationed in Arkansas, veterans who live in or move to Arkansas, and their spouses; note your status on the application and attach active-duty orders or DD-214.¹

2. Every license level except Class B: Security services contractor license

Requirements

Education or training

At least 8 clock hours¹
Phase I: at least 8 hours on legal authority of security officers, classification of crimes, arrest and detention, use of force, site-specific legal issues, the Act and rules (qualifications, fees, renewals, duties), and note-taking and report writing.¹
Who may teach it: Taught by an ASP-approved institution of instruction (IOI) through its training administrator, assistant training administrator or trainer, who signs the application attesting the training is complete.¹
Alternative: Current, active certified law enforcement officers are exempt from the training requirements.¹

Also required

The employing licensee must file your application within 14 days of hire. You may work under line-of-sight supervision of a licensee or credential holder until ASP processes it, but must stop at once if the background check shows a possible disqualifier; commissioned applicants cannot work armed until the ID card is issued.¹

Also required

Carry your credential card (or its electronic form) while working and show it to any certified law enforcement officer on demand.¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Complete the required training phases at an ASP-approved institution of instruction and pass the in-person exam (70% or better); the training administrator signs your application.¹

Temporary or provisional license

The employing licensee must file your application within 14 days of hire. You may work under line-of-sight supervision of a licensee or credential holder until ASP processes it, but must stop at once if the background check shows a possible disqualifier; commissioned applicants cannot work armed until the ID card is issued.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$40²⁵

Exemptions

Current, active certified law enforcement officers are exempt from the training requirements.¹

3. Private Security Officer (PSO) credential and Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission

How to apply

1. Get hired by an Arkansas-licensed security services contractor (Class B/C licensee) or the security department of a private business; the employer must file your application within 14 days of hire.¹

4. Private Security Officer (PSO) credential and Class B: Security services contractor license

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Denied (and not renewed) for a felony; a Class A misdemeanor involving theft, sexual offenses, violence, dishonesty or a crime against a person (ASP designates the offenses by rule); or an attempted felony, solicitation or conspiracy classed as a Class A misdemeanor, unless pardoned. Sealed or expunged convictions still count. A misdemeanor found 10 or more years before the application does not bar the license or credential.¹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹

5. Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission and Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO) commission

Requirements

Minimum age

21 years old²

Education or training

At least 16 clock hours¹
Phase II (armed): at least 16 hours, at least 8 in the classroom and 8 on the firing range: deadly force and Arkansas law, weapons safety, and live-fire training with a pistol qualification course mirroring the CLEST course (rifle/shotgun course too if carried).¹
Who may teach it: Taught by an ASP-approved institution of instruction (IOI) through its training administrator, assistant training administrator or trainer, who signs the application attesting the training is complete.¹
Alternative: Current, active certified law enforcement officers are exempt from the training requirements.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹

Also required

Weapons may be carried only on the assigned site, in uniform and while performing assigned duties.¹

Also required

The commission is issued only to an applicant employed by a licensee or a private business or school security department who shows they meet all qualifications.²

Fees

How to apply

1. Submit a complete application: the ASP form, the nonrefundable application fee, background-check fees, signed records waiver, two classifiable fingerprint sets, two passport-style photos, exam and training proof.⁶⁸
2. Wait for the state and FBI background checks; ASP issues the credential (commission photo ID card) only after they clear.¹

Who needs a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential license

Unarmed security officer employed by a security services contractor (guard or armored car company) or a private business's own security department to prevent intrusion, theft, vandalism or trespass, detect unauthorised activity on private property, direct the public to protect property, or protect individuals. Carrying a firearm needs a commission.²

Work that does not need this license:

• Current, active certified law enforcement officers are exempt from the training requirements.¹

Requirements for a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Exam

PSO examination (Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act and 17 CAR pt. 350)¹
Given by: Developed and given by the training administrator or assistant training administrator of the approved institution of instruction (ASP may administer it; then a $50 reexamination fee applies).¹
Passing score: 70% or above¹
When you can take it: After completing the required training phases; taken in person.¹
At least 70 questions on Phase I subjects¹
Retakes: Two attempts; after a second failure the application is canceled and you must reapply as a new applicant and pay application fees again.¹

Also required

Not a registered sex offender; not adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed; no habitual drunkenness or narcotics dependence; no dishonourable discharge.⁵

How much a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential license costs

How to apply

1. Submit a complete application: the ASP form, the $40 nonrefundable application fee, background-check fees, signed records waiver, two classifiable fingerprint sets, two passport-style photos, exam and training proof.³
2. Wait for the state and FBI background checks; ASP issues the credential only after they clear.¹

Renewal and continuing education

Continuing education

At least 6 clock hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

At least 6 hours covering the Phase I subjects.¹

Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission

Armed private security officer authorized by ASP to carry a firearm in the course of employment.²

Requirements

Exam

CSO examination (Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act and 17 CAR pt. 350)¹
Given by: Developed and given by the training administrator or assistant training administrator of the approved institution of instruction (ASP may administer it; then a $50 reexamination fee applies).¹
Passing score: 70% or above¹
When you can take it: After completing the required training phases; taken in person.¹
At least 100 questions on Phase I and II subjects¹
Retakes: Two attempts; after a second failure the application is canceled and you must reapply as a new applicant and pay application fees again.¹

Fees

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Initial application fees are waived for applicants on Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF or Lifeline, approved for unemployment in the last 12 months, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.¹

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 12 clock hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

At least 12 hours of Phase I and II subjects including range qualification on an ALETA course and a safety course.¹
Annual refresher: at least 12 hours each year with ALETA range qualification and a safety course; missing it suspends the commission. Renewal-training hours count toward that year's refresher.¹

Approved courses

Renewal training must be completed within the 12 months before renewal and certified before the credential is renewed.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Class B: Security services contractor license

Company license for a guard company or armored car company (Class C covers both investigations and security).²

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years²
The applicant or its manager needs two consecutive years of experience in the security services field (agent, employee, manager or owner of a security services contractor), or other requirements set by the director.²

Insurance

Proof of continuing public liability insurance of at least $500,000 is required before a Class B license is issued.⁷

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Meet the experience rule (two consecutive years in security services for the applicant or manager) and arrange $500,000 public liability insurance.²
2. Submit the ASP application with the $600 nonrefundable fee, background-check fees, fingerprints, photos and proof of insurance.⁷
3. After the state and FBI checks clear, ASP issues the license; file applications for each guard you hire within 14 days.¹

Temporary or provisional license

A 90-day temporary credential is available on request to applicants who meet the reciprocity conditions.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$300²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $150²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO) commission

Armed private security officer who provides security for a school (school district, charter or private preK-12 school) with ASP authorization to carry a firearm; must share the school's security plans with other school employees.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 36 clock hours¹
Phase III (school): at least 36 hours: legal limits on CSSO powers, ALERRT active-shooter training (at least 16 hours), active-shooter simulations and live-fire practice (at least 10 hours), trauma care with CPR certification taught in the course, defensive tactics and weapon retention.¹
Who may teach it: Taught by an ASP-approved institution of instruction (IOI) through its training administrator, assistant training administrator or trainer, who signs the application attesting the training is complete.¹
Alternative: Current, active certified law enforcement officers are exempt from the training requirements.¹

Exam

CSSO examination (Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act and 17 CAR pt. 350)¹
Given by: Developed and given by the training administrator or assistant training administrator of the approved institution of instruction (ASP may administer it; then a $50 reexamination fee applies).¹
Passing score: 70% or above¹
When you can take it: After completing the required training phases; taken in person.¹
At least 120 questions on Phase I-III subjects¹
Retakes: Two attempts; after a second failure the application is canceled and you must reapply as a new applicant and pay application fees again.¹

How to apply

1. Get hired by an Arkansas-licensed security services contractor (Class B/C licensee) or the security department of a private business or school; the employer must file your application within 14 days of hire.¹

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 24 clock hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

At least 24 hours of Phase I-III subjects including ALETA range qualification and a safety course.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Class B: Security services contractor licenseNo local guard license: cities and counties may require a security company to register, without a fee.²

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Ark. Code § 17-40-302, enacted by Act 393 of 2015, § 58
• Act 678 of 2025 (HB 1692), approved 4/16/25
• 17 CAR pt. 350 (Rules for Licensing and Regulation of Private Investigators, Private Security Agencies, Alarm Systems Companies, Polygraph Examiners, and Voice Stress Analysis Examiners), Division of Arkansas State Police
• Ark. Code ch. 17-40 as consolidated by the Division of Arkansas State Police ("Act 393 of the Arkansas General Assembly", revised, headed "Effective August 5, 2025"), linked from the ASP PI/Security page

Rule changes since January 2024

• April 16, 2025: Act 678 of 2025 repealed the sheriff/police-chief notice-and-objection step for commission applications (Ark. Code 17-40-339), allowed electronic commission ID cards, and lets ASP deny, suspend or revoke a commission on indictment or arrest for listed offenses.⁹

Common questions

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