How to get a Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit in Georgia

Georgia security guard licenses

Georgia 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 Georgia 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)

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

Apply online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁷

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military spouses and transitioning service members get expedited processing; veterans may be eligible for exam point credits or expedited processing.³

2. Every license level except Certification of Training Instructor (classroom, firearms, or firearms/classroom)

Requirements

Education or training

At least 24 clock hours²
24 hours of classroom basic training (role of private security, legal aspects including arrest and use of force, patrol and observation, incident response, security resources, customer service and a first-aid overview), taught by a Board-certified instructor and completed before working any security post.²
Who may teach it: Instructor certified by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.²

Renewal

Renew online

goals.sos.ga.gov⁷

3. Every license level except Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit (armed security guard)

Fees

Who needs a Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit

Armed security officers employed by a Georgia-licensed private security or in-house security company. The Board weapon permit (exposed or, with justification, concealed) covers a revolver up to.357 or a semi-automatic handgun up to.45; a shotgun needs separate written approval. Firearms may be carried only while on duty or traveling directly to and from work.⁶

Work that does not need this license:

• Active P.O.S.T.-certified peace officers working for or contracting with a licensed security or detective business do not need a guard registration (since July 1, 2022, O.C.G.A. 43-38-14); former officers whose certification has lapsed are not covered.⁴

Requirements for a Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit

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

Minimum age

21 years old⁴

Education or training

At least 15 clock hours²
At least 15 hours of handgun training from a Board-licensed firearms instructor (deadly force law, liability, ballistics, handgun types and 8 hours of range work), with 80% on a written exam and 80% on the range; you must qualify with the same type of weapon you carry.²
Who may teach it: Firearms instructor licensed by the Board.²
Alternative: Shotgun (only if the Board approves in writing): 2 more hours of classroom training and 80% written and range scores.²

Exam

Handgun written exam and range qualification (given by the Board-licensed firearms instructor)²
Given by: Board-licensed firearms instructor (no outside testing vendor)²
Passing score: 80% written; 80% range²
Written exam on deadly force, liability and ballistics²
Range qualification: two strings of 48 rounds, higher score counts²

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required⁷
Misdemeanors do not bar registration if they do not bar a weapon permit under state or federal law. A felony may lead to denial; the Board weighs the crime, age at the time, time elapsed and rehabilitation. No weapon permit is issued to anyone with a felony conviction without a pardon or restoration of civil rights that specifically restores firearm rights.³

Residency or citizenship

Affidavit of citizenship and a secure and verifiable document are required (immigration documents if applicable).¹

Also required

The employer, not the guard, files the registration: the licensed company applies within 30 days of hiring, and a new application and fee are needed for each employer.⁴

Also required

A probate-court weapons carry license is not valid on duty; you need the Board weapon permit.⁴

Also required

Weapon permit holders must requalify every year with the weapon carried.⁶

Also required

Armed or unarmed, guards must wear a uniform that clearly identifies them as security personnel and shows the licensed company's name.⁶

How much a Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit costs

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. Get hired by a Georgia-licensed private security or in-house security company; the company applies for your registration within 30 days of hiring.⁴
2. Complete the 24-hour basic training and the 15-hour handgun course (80% written and range) with Board-certified instructors.²
3. Get fingerprinted through GAPS/Idemia for the GBI and FBI background check.⁷
4. File the completed, signed and notarized application in GOALS with the Weapon Permit Form, range scores, proof of training, affidavit of employment, affidavit of citizenship, secure and verifiable ID document and fee.¹
5. Wait for approval: you may not work until the registration is active. Then you may order the optional $50 ID card.¹

Processing time

Applications are processed in order received; incomplete applications may be withdrawn after 60 days. The Board may issue a new-employer registration with weapon permit before background results if the company and the guard's current registration are in good standing.¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Renew online in GOALS by August 31 of odd-numbered years; the renewal window opens 90 days before expiry. Late renewal runs September 1-30 with a penalty; after that the registration is treated as revoked and reinstatement is at the Board's discretion.¹

Renewal fee

$65⁵

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

2 hours Homeland Security (terrorism indicators), 2 hours firearms-related training, 4 hours industry-related training.²

Approved courses

Acceptable continuing education providers; training must be given or facilitated by a Board-licensed instructor, except company in-house courses for its own employees and incorporated state/national associations.²

Exemptions

First renewal after initial registration is exempt.²
Hardship waivers at the Board's discretion; P.O.S.T.-certified officers may use in-service hours.²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $80⁵

If it expires

Not renewed by the end of the late period = treated as revoked; reinstatement may require a new application.³

Moving to Georgia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies publishes for the Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit. The other security guard licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Certification of Training Instructor

Teaches the Board-mandated basic, firearms and continuing education courses and issues certificates of completion.²

Requirements

Experience

At least 4 years²
One of: 4 years supervisory experience in contract or in-house security; 4 years as a licensed private detective agency operator; 4 years investigative law enforcement; 4 years private-sector investigative experience; or comparable experience/education at the Board's discretion.²

Also required

Submit the curriculum with the application; curriculum must show the hourly breakdown of topics.⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee

$100⁵

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $150⁵
Reinstatement fee: $100⁵

From another state

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

Private Security Company license

License for a business that provides private security services (or an in-house security operation). It is held through a qualified individual designee (owner, partner or officer) who passes the PSI exam; armed employees then register under the company.⁴

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years³
Designee needs 2 years full-time (30+ hours/week) as a supervisor or administrator in in-house security or with a licensed security agency, or 2 years in law enforcement, or a 4-year degree in criminal justice or a related field.³

Exam

Private Security Agency Licensure Examination (PSI)⁴
Given by: PSI⁸
Retakes: Up to three attempts per application; three no-shows also require a new application and fee.³

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required³

Residency or citizenship

Affidavit of citizenship and secure and verifiable document; out-of-state companies submit verification of licensure.⁸

Business requirements

Georgia corporate entities submit corporation documents; a change of ownership, designee or business structure needs a new application and fee.⁴

Fees

Each line is a separate charge, except the line “Private Detective & Security Company (dual license) — total”, which is the board’s own combined figure for other charges; do not add it to the other lines.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI⁸, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Create a GOALS account and file the company application with the designee role (Quick Reference Guide 7), with proof of experience or transcript, training, range scores if armed, citizenship affidavit, ID document and corporate documents.⁸
2. After Board approval, the designee takes the PSI Private Security Agency exam.⁸
3. Receive the license before operating or advertising.⁸

Processing time

Complete applications are reviewed by staff and may go to a Board meeting; they must arrive at least 15 days before the meeting.⁸

Renewal

When it expires

Renew online by June 30 of odd-numbered years; late renewal July 1-31 with a penalty, after which the license is treated as revoked.⁸

Renewal fee

$500⁵

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $600⁵
Reinstatement fee: $750⁵

If it expires

Reinstatement may require a full new application and re-examination.³

From another state

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

No state license for unarmed security guards

Georgia does not issue a state license for unarmed security guards.⁴

The official wording

“Unarmed security guards are not required to be registered but are required to be trained in accordance with the Rules of the Private Detective and Security Agencies Board.”⁴

Georgia Secretary of State, Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies

City and county rules

Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit (armed security guard)Georgia regulates private security statewide through the Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies: security companies are licensed and armed guards register with the Board; unarmed guards are not registered but must be trained.⁴

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a security guard in Georgia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Georgia is on the Georgia license lookup page.

Look up a license

goals.sos.ga.gov⁴

File a complaint

sos.ga.gov⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 509-2 (licensure and registration)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 509-3 (instructors and training program requirements)
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 509-4 (weapons, uniforms)

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

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