How to get a Security Guard Certification in Maryland

Maryland security guard licenses

Maryland 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 Maryland 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)

Requirements

Exam

Not required³⁹¹¹

How to apply

Apply online

licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov²⁷¹¹

2. Every license level except Security Guard/Special Police Employer

Renewal

How often

Every 3 years²⁷

Renew online

licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov²⁷

Who needs a Security Guard Certification

An employee of a licensed security guard agency (or of a security guard employer) who provides security guard services, whatever the title used (security guard, watchman, private patrolman).⁶

Work that does not need this license:

• Not "security guard services" (no certification needed): marine guards or ship watchmen; special police officers appointed under Public Safety Art. Title 3, Subtitle 3 or Baltimore City PLL § 16-16; unarmed employees of bars, taverns or restaurants.²

Other rules on who may do this work:

• An agency or employer may use an uncertified guard while the application, fingerprints and records fee are on file with MSP and not disapproved, or if the person holds current MPTSC police officer certification.¹

Requirements for a Security Guard Certification

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

At least 12 clock hours²
Initial security training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (MPTSC); topics must include criminal law, use of force, alternatives to force, de-escalation and interactions with minors, people with disabilities or in crisis.³
Who may teach it: Programs identified or established by MPTSC and listed on the Commission website.¹²
Alternative: Waived if employed as a police officer in the 3 years immediately before applying (with documentation).³

Background check

Background check required²
Fingerprints required²
Mandatory denial for a disqualifying crime (Public Safety Art. 5-101) or a crime of violence (Criminal Law Art. 14-101), or formal findings of excessive force/false statements as a police officer; discretionary denial for any felony or a directly related misdemeanor. Agencies/employers must report a guard's arrest for such crimes within 48 hours.¹³

Residency or citizenship

Applicants who are not born or naturalized U.S. citizens must attach a valid work authorization.¹⁴

Also required

Carry the certification card whenever providing security guard services and show it to a law enforcement officer on request.¹⁵

Also required

The agency or employer reviews the guard's portal application, confirms identity and submits it with the fees.²

Also required

Armed guards: must hold a Maryland handgun wear-and-carry permit, have the agency/employer's approval, notify MSP, and MSP must confirm the permit before the guard carries a handgun on duty.¹⁶

Also required

Wear-and-carry permit (armed guards): age 21 (or active military), MSP-approved 16-hour Firearms Safety Training Course from a Qualified Handgun Instructor, Livescan; guards attach an updated company sponsorship to replacement requests.¹⁷

How much a Security Guard Certification costs

You pay MSP (2 fees), Maryland CJIS Central Repository (fingerprint and state background check) and FBI (via CJIS) (FBI background check).

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 (or a job offer) by a licensed security guard agency or a registered security guard employer.²
2. Complete 12 hours of MPTSC-approved initial security training (unless you were a police officer in the last 3 years).²
3. Sign the FBI Privacy Act Statement and get Livescan fingerprints (Agency Authorization Number 9300000802, ORI MDMSP6000); apply within 30 days of fingerprinting.²
4. Have a color passport-style digital photo taken within 30 days.²
5. Create a Licensing Portal account, complete the Security Guard Certification application and upload the documents; you receive an application number and PIN by email.² licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov²
6. Give the application number and PIN to your agency or employer, which reviews it and submits it with the fees.²
7. MSP runs the background investigation (possibly an interview) and emails a decision within 90 days; the certification is mailed.²

Temporary or provisional license

A guard may work uncertified once the agency/employer has filed the application, fingerprints and fee with MSP and MSP has not disapproved it.¹

Processing time

MSP notifies the applicant of the decision within 90 days of receiving the complete application and fees; incomplete applications are canceled if the applicant does not respond within 15 days.²

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Three-year term; submit the renewal application through the Licensing Portal at least 90 days before the certification expires.²

Renewal fee

$10⁴

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period⁴

Required topics

Same MPTSC curriculum areas as initial training: criminal law, use of force, alternatives to force, de-escalation, interactions with minors, people with disabilities or in crisis.¹²

Approved courses

MPTSC-approved continuing security training.¹²

Exemptions

Guards certified before the 12-hour initial course existed must complete the 12-hour course to renew.²

If it expires

MSP will not certify anyone with unpaid late fees; MSP must refuse renewal to a guard who has not completed the required continuing training.⁴

Moving to Maryland with a license from another state

These are the routes MSP publishes for the Security Guard Certification. The other security guard licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Certification renewal late fees are not charged when a guard could not renew on time because of being called to active military duty (or incapacity, hospitalization or other hardship). No other security-guard-specific military provision was found; statewide rules are in state_policy/MD.⁴

Security Guard Agency License

Conduct (or solicit) a business providing security guard services for compensation, keep an office in Maryland, employ certified guards and hold out as a licensed security guard agency.⁷

Requirements

Minimum age

25 years old⁹

Experience

At least 3 years⁸
The individual applicant or firm's representative member must have one of: 5 years as a full-time certified private detective; 5 years as a full-time police officer plus approved police training; 3 years as a police detective; 3 years in a government law-enforcement investigative unit plus police training; 5 years as a full-time fire investigator plus certified training; or 5 years as a full-time correctional supervisor plus required training.⁸

Background check

Background check required¹⁰
Fingerprints required⁷
Applicant (and every firm member) must be of good character and reputation; MSP may deny for fraud, unlicensed activity, false statements or other violations of Title 19.⁹

Insurance

Commercial general liability insurance including errors and omissions and completed operations: $1,000,000 total aggregate minimum with 5 or more guards; $500,000 with fewer than 5. Proof goes with the application; lapse automatically suspends the license.¹⁸

Insurance

Workers' compensation insurance for covered employees must be shown at renewal.¹⁹

Business requirements

A firm appoints a firm member as its representative member, who makes the application and is responsible for the firm's compliance with the application requirements.⁹

Business requirements

Each licensee must maintain an office in Maryland and keep its Maryland business records there.²⁰

Business requirements

Nonresident applicants file a consent to service of process with the Maryland Secretary of State (and a firm resolution) and send copies to MSP.²¹

Business requirements

Application includes trade name approved by SDAT, Maryland sales tax account, articles of incorporation and resolutions (firms), draft badge and patch for approval, and three notarized recommendations from property-owning citizens per applicant/firm member (COMAR 29.04.01.01).⁵

Also required

The agency may provide for hire only individuals certified as security guards, except an individual whose application, fingerprints and records fee are on file with MSP and not disapproved, or who currently holds MPTSC police officer certification.¹

Fees

You pay MSP (5 fees), the state police (fingerprint and state background check) and the FBI (FBI background check).

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. Confirm the individual or representative member is 25+ and meets one of the experience routes.⁷
2. Get Livescan fingerprints (Maryland residents) or request ink cards from MSP (non-residents), sign the FBI Privacy Act Statement, and apply within 30 days.⁷
3. Obtain commercial general liability insurance ($500,000 / $1,000,000 aggregate) and gather photo, tax and company documents; non-residents prepare the BOP 19-505 consent.⁷
4. Complete the application in the MSP Licensing Portal, upload documents and pay the fee by Visa/MasterCard.⁷ licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov⁷
5. Allow 90 days for processing.⁷

Processing time

Decision within 90 days of a complete application and fees.⁷

Renewal

When it expires

Three-year license expiring January 31 or July 31 (staggered); renewal application and tax/insurance statements due at least 15 days before expiry.²²

Renewal fee

$200⁷ (Individual; firm $400; dual PD/SG $400 individual / $800 firm)

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $10¹⁹ (per day until renewal statements are received)

If it expires

Renewal requires 3 years of tax, withholding and other employee-obligation certifications, workers' compensation and liability insurance proof, and a Comptroller tax certificate.¹⁹

From another state

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

Security Guard/Special Police Employer

A business or individual that employs security guards or special police officers only to protect itself or its own property; it may not offer guard services to others.¹¹

Requirements

Insurance

Commercial general liability insurance: $500,000 aggregate minimum with fewer than 5 guards, $1,000,000 with 5 or more; MSP will not authorize guard certifications for an employer without proof.¹⁸

Also required

Every guard the employer uses must be certified (or have a pending application on file).¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Buy commercial general liability insurance at the required level.¹¹
2. Create a Licensing Portal account, complete the employer registration, upload documents and submit it.¹¹ licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov¹¹
3. Use the portal's employer interface to submit certification applications for your guards.¹¹

Processing time

Registration is complete once submitted; MSP reviews for completeness within 5-10 business days.¹¹

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

File a complaint

mdsp.maryland.gov²

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. Title 19 (Maryland Security Guards Act), §§ 19-101 to 19-701
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-401 (certification required)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-406 (carry certification card)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-408 (denial and discipline)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-412 (MPTSC training programs)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-413 (handgun carry)
• COMAR 29.04.01.02 (Certification Card)
• COMAR 29.04.01.05 (work authorization)
• COMAR 29.04.01.03 (Renewal of Agency License and Certification)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-301 (license required)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-302 (qualifications)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-303 (experience)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-304
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-308
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-309
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-310 (office in the State)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-313 (denial and discipline)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-504 (liability insurance)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-505 (nonresident consent)
• COMAR 29.04.01.01 (Agency Licenses)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-101 (definition of security guard employer)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-401 (employers may use only certified guards)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-504 (insurance)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2026: January 2026: Licensing Portal changed so security guard agencies can employ and submit applications for special police officers after the General Assembly overrode the veto of SB 455 (2025) in a December 2025 special session.⁷
• January 1, 2025: SB 760 (2023) took effect: mandatory security guard training, new security guard employer category and reporting requirements.¹¹ SB 760 (2023) created the security guard employer category effective 1/1/2025.¹¹

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• 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