How to get an Unarmed Security Guard License in Delaware

Delaware security guard licenses

Delaware issues 3 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 Delaware 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 3)

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, dsp.delaware.gov)²

2. Every license level except Class B License - Private Security Agency

Fees

From another state

Who needs an Unarmed Security Guard License

Individual employed by a licensed private security agency to prevent intrusion, entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, fire or trespass on private property.²

Work that does not need this license:

• In-house (proprietary) security staff hired directly by a business, e.g. a store's own loss-prevention officers, do not need a license.³

Requirements for an Unarmed Security Guard License

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

Minimum age

18 years old³

Education or training

Board-approved security guard training (rules and regulations, legal limits, use of force, ethics, emergency services, diversity, communication, asset protection, terrorism) at a Board-approved facility (DTCC, Defencify, Protection Academy, Delaware Tactical, Polytech Adult Education) or your Class B/C employer; completed no more than 1 year before you apply. Required again for every renewal.⁴
Who may teach it: Board Approved Training Facility or a licensed Class B or C agency with approved trainers.⁴

Exam

Delaware security guard test/exam (state security license test)²
Given by: Delaware Technical & Community College (DTCC) - Stanton, Dover and Georgetown campuses³
Passing score: 75%²
When you can take it: After the training; bring your training certificate and photo ID.³
Retakes: Unlimited retakes within one year of training, on a separate date, paying the fee each time; training need not be repeated within that year.³
Time limit: Take the test within one year of your training certificate date.³

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required²

Also required

Work only while employed by a licensed Delaware Class B or C private security agency; the agency lists you on its monthly roster.³

Also required

Carry the license at all times on duty; report arrests to the Board within 5 days.¹

Also required

Batons, sprays and handcuffs only after manufacturer-standard training with a certified instructor.⁴

How much an Unarmed Security Guard License costs

You pay IdentoGO (application fee) and Delaware Technical & Community College (exam retake fee).

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 Board-approved security guard training (DTCC, Defencify, Protection Academy, Delaware Tactical, Polytech or a Class B/C agency trainer).²
2. Register for and pass the security guard test at a DTCC campus (75%); keep the DTCC exam certificate.²
3. Book an IdentoGO fingerprint/photo-ID appointment (uenroll.identogo.com) and pay the $105 fee there.³
4. Email the Security Guard Application and DTCC exam certificate to [email protected] with the subject "last name, first name-Security Guard Application".²
5. On approval you get an email that works as ID for 15 days; pick up the card at the Dover SBI office or have it mailed. Work only for a licensed Delaware private security agency.²

Temporary or provisional license

New or renewing Yellow Card holders get a 15-day temporary email approval that can be used as ID until the card arrives; not issued for Red Cards.³

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 5 years²

When it expires

The license expires on your birthday after five years. Renewal is the same process as a new license (retrain, retest, IdentoGO, application); DSP suggests starting at least two months before expiry.³

Renewal fee

$105³

Required topics

Same security guard training program and test as for a new license.⁴

Approved courses

Board Approved Training Facility or a licensed Class B or C agency with approved trainers.⁴

If it expires

You may not work on an expired license.³

Renew online

dsp.delaware.gov²

Armed Security Guard firearms endorsement

A licensed security guard who carries or has immediate access to a firearm on duty; must wear a uniform with a Class B/C agency patch and carry the firearm openly.²

Requirements

Minimum age

21 years old¹

Education or training

At least 40 clock hours⁴
40-hour firearms course with a DSP-approved firearms instructor, including a day-light and a low-light qualification shoot. DSP may waive the 40 hours for prior law enforcement or similar credentials (then a day and low-light shoot are still required).⁴
Who may teach it: Professional Licensing approved firearms instructor (NRA law-enforcement instructor or POST-certified); the instructor sends the proficiency form to DSP.⁴

Exam

Firearms qualification shoots (day light and low light)⁵
Given by: DSP-approved firearms instructor⁵

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required²
No felony; no theft, drug or moral-turpitude misdemeanor in the last 7 years (and no more than 2 in a lifetime, none tied to security work); no juvenile felony-level adjudication until age 21; no dishonourable discharge; not a member or employee of a law-enforcement organization; Board regulation 6.0 lists further disqualifying offenses.¹

Also required

Hold a valid Unarmed/Yellow Card (or apply for both at once).⁵

Also required

Not a prohibited person under federal firearms law (e.g. an unlawful user of controlled substances).⁵

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, DSP-approved firearms instructor⁵, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Hold or apply for the Yellow Card and complete the 40-hour firearms course with day-light and low-light shoots; your instructor sends the proficiency form to DSP.²
2. New applicants: add the Red Card to the Yellow Card application (same fee). Upgrades: book IdentoGO (service code 27S499), then email the Firearms Upgrade Application to [email protected].²
3. The Red Card is mailed; no 15-day temporary email approval for Red Cards.²

Renewal

How often

Every year⁵

Required topics

3 qualifying shoots per calendar year, including 1 low-light shoot.⁴

Approved courses

Approved Professional Licensing firearms instructor; proficiency forms accepted only from the instructor.²

Exemptions

Temporary waiver possible for military service or approved leave; on return do a day and a low-light shoot.⁴

If it expires

Missing shoots: the firearms license may be suspended; after 36 months suspended you must repeat the 40-hour course.⁴

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

Class B License - Private Security Agency

Business providing private watchperson, guard or street patrol services under contract for others.³

Requirements

Minimum age

25 years old¹

Experience

At least 4 years¹
The license holder (owner, partner or corporate officer) needs 4 years as a manager in a licensed security agency, or 5 years of investigative experience, or service as a police officer who graduated from a certified academy (at least 3 years, not counting the academy).⁴

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required²
No felony; no theft, drug or moral-turpitude misdemeanor in the last 7 years (max 2 lifetime, none tied to regulated work).¹

Surety bond

$10,000⁴ (Bond amount, minimum 1 year)

Insurance

$1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance per occurrence.⁴

Also required

New licenses are approved by the Board of Examiners at quarterly meetings; allow processing time.²

Fees

You pay DSP (2 fees) and IdentoGO (application fee).

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. Name a qualified license holder (owner/partner/officer with the experience) and get the $10,000 bond and $1,000,000 liability insurance (certificate holder: DSP Professional Licensing, PO Box 430, Dover, DE 19903).⁶
2. Submit the Agency Application, license fee, License Holder Application (IdentoGO fingerprints, service code 27S48X, $105), bond form and any uniforms/patches/ads for Board approval to [email protected]; contact DSP for Board deadlines.²
3. After Board approval, file monthly guard rosters and job-site lists with Professional Licensing.²

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴

When it expires

DSP emails a reminder about three months before; renewal follows the same procedures (license holder re-fingerprints but need not re-prove qualifications). Standard renewals may be approved by Professional Licensing.²

Renewal fee

$300⁶ (In-state; out-of-state $500)

From another state

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

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• 24 Del. C. ch. 13 (Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies), §§ 1302, 1312-1315, 1318
• 24 Del. Admin. Code 1300 (Board of Examiners of Private Investigators & Private Security Agencies), latest amendment 29 DE Reg. 706 (02/01/26)

Common questions

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