How to get an Identification Card in Iowa

Iowa security guard licenses

Iowa issues 3 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Iowa 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.

Every license level except Professional permit to carry weapons

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Exam

Not required²

Background check

Background check required¹²
Fingerprints required⁶
Disqualified if ever convicted of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor, listed assault/violence crimes (708.3-708.9), illegal weapon use/possession or fraud; must be of good moral character, not addicted to alcohol/controlled substances, no history of repeated violence; DPS checks IOWA warrants, protection orders, sex offender registry and FBI fingerprints.²

How to apply

Apply online

leapps.dps.state.ia.us⁶

Renewal

Renew online

leapps.dps.state.ia.us⁶

Who needs an Identification Card

Required for every person paid by a licensed agency to provide contracted security services in Iowa, full- or part-time; not for clerical, dispatch, maintenance, payroll, ticket-taking, parking or other duties away from a contracted site.⁵

Other rules on who may do this work:

• In-house guards employed by one employer for its own affairs are outside chapter 80A.¹

Requirements for an Identification Card

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Also required

Must be hired by a licensed agency first; carry the card at all times on duty and show it on request; surrender within 7 days of leaving.⁶

How much an Identification Card 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.

How to apply

1. Get hired by a DPS-licensed private security agency.⁶
2. Create a Licensing Portal account and submit the PD2 Iowa Program ID Card Application, affiliating with your employer.⁶ leapps.dps.state.ia.us⁶
3. Your agency reviews the application, uploads a photo taken within the last year, and approves it; a 14-day temporary card issues after payment.⁶
4. Submit fingerprints (two FD-258 cards or the DPS-approved vendor); a provisional permanent card issues and converts to permanent once results clear.⁶

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary ID card valid 14 days from issuance.²

Processing time

Temporary card valid 14 days on payment; DPS needs four business days to process; a provisional permanent card issues when fingerprints arrive and converts to permanent after results.⁶

Moving to Iowa with a license from another state

These are the routes DPS publishes for the Identification Card. The other security guard licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Professional permit to carry weapons

Authorises the holder to go armed anywhere in Iowa only while engaged in the employment and traveling to and from it.³

Requirements

Education or training

Firearm safety training for an initial permit, e.g. an NRA or DPS-approved-instructor handgun course, or a DPS-approved handgun course for security guards, or military small-arms training.⁷
Alternative: Small arms training in the U.S. armed forces⁷

Experience

Employment that reasonably justifies going armed (licensed private security business or security guard).³

Background check

Background check required⁴

Also required

Apply to the sheriff of your county of residence; nonresidents apply to the commissioner of public safety.⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete an approved handgun safety course (724.9).⁷
2. Apply to your county sheriff (nonresidents: DPS commissioner) and pay $50.⁴

Renewal

How often

Every year³

When it expires

Expires 12 months after issue; renew within 30 days before or after expiry for the renewal fee, otherwise treated as an initial applicant. Surrender when employment ends.⁴

Renewal fee

$25⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50⁴

From another state

Private Security Agency License

Furnishing, for hire or reward, guards, watch, armored car or patrol personnel to protect persons or property or prevent theft; includes an individual who for hire patrols, watches or guards property.¹

Requirements

Surety bond

$5,000⁵ (One license type ($10,000 for more than one type); Form PD6)

Surety bond

$10,000¹ (More than one license type)

Insurance

Proof of financial responsibility: certificate of liability insurance covering general liability, completed operations and personal injury (false arrest, libel/slander, wrongful entry); 30 days' notice before cancellation. No minimum dollar amount is stated.²

Business requirements

Each agency needs at least one current licensee (director, officer, partner or person involved in the Iowa business); for corporations each actively involved officer/director completes Form PD1; LLCs/corporations file Form PD5/PD7 with an Iowa SOS Certificate of Existence or Foreign Registration.²

Business requirements

Uniforms, badges, patches and hats need prior written DPS approval; "police", "officer", "policeman" or "enforcement" are not approved except the single term "security officer".⁶

Also required

Each business type needs a separate license; changing type needs a new application and fees.²

Also required

An agency application is abandoned if not completed within six months.²

Fees

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

1. Create an account on the DPS Licensing Portal.⁵ leapps.dps.state.ia.us⁶
2. Submit the "Start Your Own Company" application so DPS creates the agency profile; DPS then emails instructions for Form PD1.⁵
3. Submit Form PD1 with liability insurance certificate, PD6 surety bond ($5,000 for one type), headshot, company documents (PD5/PD7) and fees ($100 per type + $10 per ID card + $30 fingerprints).⁵
4. Submit fingerprints on two FD-258 cards by mail or through the DPS-approved vendor.⁵
5. After fingerprint results clear, complete the licensing requirements overview; DPS emails the agency license and licensee ID card.⁵

Temporary or provisional license

Out-of-state agencies may get a non-renewable 90-day temporary permit by reciprocity.²

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

When it expires

Expires two years from issue; file Form PD3 with two fingerprint cards at least 30 days before expiry. No renewal after the expiration date: a new initial application is required.²

Renewal fee

$100¹

If it expires

A lapsed license cannot be renewed; all initial requirements must be met again.²

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

leapps.dps.state.ia.us⁶

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Iowa Code ch. 80A (Private Investigative Agencies and Security Agents)
• 661 IAC ch. 121 (Bail Enforcement, Private Investigation, and Private Security Businesses)
• Iowa Code 724.6 (professional permit to carry weapons)
• Iowa Code 724.9 (firearm safety training)
• Iowa Code 724.11
• Iowa Code 80A.13 (campus weapon requirements)

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming