How to get a Registered Work Card in Nevada

Nevada security guard licenses

Nevada 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 Nevada 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 except Private Patrol Officer license

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁴¹

Renewal

How often

Every 5 years⁴⁵

2. Every license level except Armed Registered Work Card (firearm certification)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

U.S. citizen or lawfully entitled to remain and work in the U.S.⁴⁸

Who needs a Registered Work Card

A security guard is anyone employed as a watchman, guard, security consultant, patrol officer or similar; a work card lets the holder work under a licensee in the licensee's field.⁵

Other rules on who may do this work:

• In-house (proprietary) guards employed regularly by one employer in a bona fide employer-employee relationship are outside chapter 648, except as provided in NRS 648.060, 648.140 and 648.203.¹
• Peace officers, law-enforcement employees and people paying into a public employees' retirement system may not be employed by a licensee unless the Board grants an exemption.¹⁰

Requirements for a Registered Work Card

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Exam

Work Card (Security Guard) Exam²
Given by: Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (open-book exam submitted with the application; online or printable PDF)²
Passing score: 100%²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Applicants list their entire lifetime arrest history; felony, moral-turpitude or dangerous-weapon convictions bar registration, and a denial can be appealed to the Board. A provisional card is issued after the initial background check; the permanent card waits for FBI fingerprint results.¹⁰

Social Security number

A valid U.S. Social Security card is required.⁴

Also required

Must be employed by a PILB licensee; the licensee must add the employee to its online roster within 3 days of starting work.⁴

Also required

Supporting documents (photo, 2 IDs, fingerprint receipt, 100% exam, arrest disclosure) must reach PILB within 30 days or the application is withdrawn without refund.³

Also required

Carry the provisional document (with ID) or the registered work card at all times while working.³

How much a Registered Work 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.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Get a job offer from a PILB-licensed private patrol company (licensees may only employ registered or provisionally registered people).⁸
2. Take the open-book work card exam (online or printable) and score 100%.² Form (PDF, pilb.nv.gov)³
3. Apply online or on the paper application, paying $85 (or $129 expedited) by card, money order or cashier's check (no cash).¹⁰ pilbonbaseweb.nv.gov³
4. Within 30 days, submit a 2x2 passport photo, two IDs, fingerprint receipt, the exam and the arrest disclosure; get fingerprinted at a listed location.³ Form (PDF, pilb.nv.gov)³
5. Start work once the provisional registration is emailed; the permanent card arrives after the FBI check.³

Apply online

pilbonbaseweb.nv.gov³

Application form

Form (PDF, pilb.nv.gov)³

Processing time

About 1-2 weeks to the provisional email (2-3 business days if expedited); the permanent card follows FBI fingerprint results, which may take 30-90 days.³

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$85⁷

Renew online

pilbonbaseweb.nv.gov³

Armed Registered Work Card

Allows a registered employee to carry a firearm openly (outside the uniform or jacket) while working; concealed carry on duty also needs a CCW permit.⁴

Requirements

Education or training

At least 8 clock hours⁴
Board-approved firearms course taught by a PILB Certified Firearm Instructor: 8 hours of classroom instruction (with a written exam) plus at least 5 hours at a firing range.⁶
Who may teach it: Certified Firearm Instructor (CFI) approved by the Board⁶

Experience

Must already hold a permanent (hard plastic) work card and be on a sponsoring licensee's roster; provisional holders cannot take the course.⁶
License you must hold first: Permanent registered work card⁶

Exam

Firearms course written exam and range qualification⁶
Given by: PILB Certified Firearm Instructor⁶
Passing score: Written exam 75% or better; range: at least 30 rounds with a score of at least 75 percent⁵

Background check

Background check required⁶
Fingerprints required³

Also required

Requalify on the course of fire every 6 months in the designated months; missing a qualification invalidates the card until requalified.⁶

Also required

The employer must give a signed Verification of Employment Armed Security (VEAS) form.⁴

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.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PILB Certified Firearm Instructor⁶, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Hold a permanent work card and be employed by a licensee willing to sponsor you; the employer adds you to its roster and signs the VEAS form.⁶
2. Complete the 8-hour classroom + 5-hour range course with a Certified Firearm Instructor and pass (75%).⁶
3. The CFI files the paperwork within 5 days; PILB mails a new armed work card. Do not work armed until it arrives.⁶

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

Private Patrol Officer license

The business of employing and providing watchmen, guards, patrol officers, bodyguards and similar personnel to protect persons or property (including armored transport).¹

Requirements

Minimum age

21 years old¹

Education or training

Optional: an associate or bachelor's degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice is credited toward the experience requirement.⁹
Alternative: Associate degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice = 8 months (1,333 hours); bachelor's = 18 months (3,000 hours) of experience.⁹

Experience

At least 5 years¹
At least 5 years (10,000 hours) of experience as a private patrol officer, or the Board-determined equivalent, certified by employers; for a corporation this is met by its qualifying agent.¹
Substitute: Degree credit as above.⁹

Exam

Private Patrol Officer Exam¹¹
Given by: Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (quarterly exam)⁹
Passing score: 75% or better¹¹
When you can take it: Application must be complete and verified one month before the exam date; exams are held in January, April, July and October.¹¹
One hour, 50 questions (true/false, fill-in, multiple choice, definitions) on NRS/NAC 648 and NRS 179, 193, 200, 205, 207 and 484¹¹

Background check

Background check required⁸
Fingerprints required⁸
Applicant and each director/officer must be of good moral character with no disqualifying felony or moral-turpitude/dangerous-weapon conviction.¹

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $200,000 (or approved self-insurance), naming PILB as certificate holder.¹

Business requirements

Maintain a principal place of business in Nevada; licensee or qualifying agent must be physically present in Nevada to supervise registered employees.⁴

Business requirements

Uniforms, badges, patches and marked vehicles need PILB pre-approval.⁴

Also required

Every employee must hold a work card (registration) before working.¹

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

1. Email PILB to request the licensing application packet.⁸
2. Submit the application with employer-certified experience forms, fingerprints, $20 application fee, $100 exam fee and the $750 background deposit.⁹
3. Pass the quarterly Private Patrol Officer exam (75%).⁹
4. After Board approval, within 90 days file the $200,000 liability insurance certificate and pay the prorated license fee.⁴

Renewal

How often

Every year⁸

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100⁴ (renewal paid July 1-31)
Reinstatement fee: $100¹ (forfeited license reinstated within 30 days)

Renew online

pilb.nv.gov⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

City and county rules

Armed Registered Work Card (firearm certification)No city or county security-guard license: state law gives PILB licenses and registered employees statewide effect and limits local ordinances to general business-license, building, zoning and fire-safety rules.¹

Check a license or report a problem

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

File a complaint

pilb.nv.gov⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• NRS 648.060(2), 648.1493, 648.1495
• NAC 648.338, 648.3385, 648.341
• NRS 648.030(5) (firearm safety courses)
• NAC 648.350
• NRS 648.013, 648.060, 648.110, 648.120, 648.135, 648.140, 648.144, 648.146
• NAC chapter 648

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

• Alabama
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