Kansas has no state security guard license
Kansas does not issue a state license for security guards.1 Cities and counties set their own rules; this page lists what Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas (Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK) require.
On this page
Is there a Kansas security guard license?
No. Kansas does not license security guards at the state level.1
- A guard company that also does investigations (obtaining information about crimes, persons, lost property, or evidence for court) needs a Kansas private detective/agency license from the Attorney General.1
The official wording“Security Guards City Clerk or County Clerk Local Law Enforcement…”1
Kansas Business Center (State of Kansas)
City and county licenses
No Kansas state license for security guards or guard companies: the state business portal lists security guards under the city or county clerk and local law enforcement, and the Private Detective Act exempts private patrol operators. Cities license guards locally; Kansas City, Kansas requires a $50 KCKPD Private Security Officer Permit for each guard and a $100 annual Security Guard Service License plus occupation tax for the company. Wichita requires a Police Department Private Security Permit.2
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | Wichita: private security officers need a City of Wichita Private Security Permit from the Police Department (Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center, in person, by appointment). New applicants bring an intent letter from the private security company with its processing number, drug-screen results, the City of Wichita fee ($50, debit/credit card) and a KBI CHR FEES FUND payment ($57, money order); they receive a 90-day Temporary Permit and, after completing the required training, a Private Security Permit renewed every year (renewal fee $40). Changing companies needs a new intent letter and drug screen. Governed by the Private Security Officers and Private Security Agencies Ordinance 3.72.3 | Official page3 |
| Kansas City, Kansas (Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK) | KCK: every security officer needs a KCKPD Private Security Officer Permit ($50 each, processed by the Police Department after the employer's license is approved) and must work for a UG-licensed security guard service; the permit is suspended if the officer leaves the company and has no own liability insurance; officers must report address/employment changes to the Chief of Police and may not wear KCKPD-like uniforms. The company needs a Security Guard Service License ($100, 1 year, renewable on the anniversary) AND a separate annual Occupation Tax (2023 schedule: $177 for 1-2 guards up to $1,604 for 61+), $500,000 liability insurance naming the Unified Government, owners/officers 18+ with no felony or moral-turpitude conviction (governed by UG Ordinance #65892).2 | Official page4 |
Other rules for security guards in Kansas
- Insurance
- LOCAL (KCK): company must file $500,000 liability insurance naming the Unified Government as additional named insured with 10 days' cancellation notice; each officer must be covered by the employer's (or own) general liability policy from a carrier rated B+ or better.2
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $502 | Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas | Kansas City, Kansas: Private Security Officer Permit, per guard |
| Application fee | $1002 | Unified Government License Division | The LICENSE fee. Kansas City, Kansas: Security Guard Service License (company), per year |
| OCCUPATION TAX SCHEDULE 2023 - 01-02 GUARDS | $1772 | Unified Government License Division | Kansas City, Kansas company occupation tax, 1-2 guards. Effective 2023 |
| 61 + GUARDS | $1,6042 | Unified Government License Division | Kansas City, Kansas company occupation tax, 61 or more guards (2023 schedule). Effective 2023 |
| Application fee | $503 | City of Wichita | Wichita: Private Security Permit, new applicant |
| KBI CHR FEES FUND | $573 | KBI CHR FEES FUND | Wichita: Private Security Permit, new applicant (Kansas Bureau of Investigation criminal history record fee) |
| Renewal fee | $403 | City of Wichita | Wichita: Private Security Permit annual renewal |
Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- K.S.A. 75-7b01(e) (definition of "private patrol operator": furnishes a watchman, guard, patrolman)
- K.S.A. 75-7b02 (license required only for detective business and private detective agencies)
- K.S.A. 75-7b03(l) (private patrol operator on the protected property is not engaging in detective business)
- Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Ordinance #65892 (Security Guard Service) and the "Private Security Officers Ordinance", as described on UG/KCKPD forms
Security guard licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- 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
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- K.S.A. 75-7b02 Licensure requiredKansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (Kansas Legislature)Checked November 7, 2026
- Requirements and Procedures for a Security Guard Service / Security Company Application (2023)Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas - License Division (Neighborhood Resource Center)Checked November 7, 2026
- Private Security | Fingerprinting ServicesCity of Wichita - Police Department, Support Services Division (Private Security | Fingerprinting Services)Checked November 7, 2026
- Application for Private Security Officer Permit (KCKPDSB # 411 (09/15))Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas - Kansas City, Kansas Police DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026