How to get a Security Guard Employee license in New Hampshire

New Hampshire security guard licenses

New Hampshire issues 4 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 New Hampshire 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 4)

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

Renew online

nhsp.dos.nh.gov⁴

2. Every license level except Armed Security Guard license (armed status, firearms proficiency)

Requirements

Exam

Not required²

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.

3. Every license level except Security Guard Agency license (security guard service)

Renewal

If it expires

Renewal applications must be filed at least 15 days before expiry; a late renewal is returned and a full original application is required.⁵

4. Security Guard Employee license and Security Guard Individual license

Requirements

Background check

Background check required²
No fingerprints required¹
The commissioner must deny applicants with a felony conviction, a violent misdemeanor, or a theft/fraud/deceit/misrepresentation conviction, or who make a material misstatement; applicants treated for mental illness need a practitioner's statement. References may be sent questionnaires, and local police are notified. A denied applicant may request a hearing within 15 days.¹

Also required

Carry the state photo identification card while working; report a change of employer in person within 10 business days (new card free) and any arrest or protective order within one business day.¹

Also required

Unarmed licensees may not openly carry or display a weapon; a pistol permit does not authorize carrying a firearm on the job.³

Fees

Who needs a Security Guard Employee license

Anyone contracted to protect people, property or assets from injury or theft, including crowd control, fire watch, access control, money/document transport, personal protection and bodyguard ("executive protection") work.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Unarmed in-house security staff employed directly by a business that is not a security agency to secure its own premises (e.g. store detectives, watchmen) are excluded.¹
• On-duty police officers and fire investigators, and public firefighters doing fire watch at public events, are excluded.¹
• Out-of-state people accompanying national political candidates, and people providing temporary security to entertainers at live performances, are excluded.¹

Requirements for a Security Guard Employee license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Also required

Must be employed by a licensed security guard agency; name the agency on the application and list three unrelated character references.³

Also required

Bring a government-issued photo ID; photos for the ID card are taken at state police headquarters.²

How much a Security Guard Employee license costs

How to apply

1. Get hired by a licensed security guard agency (the agency is named on the application; by statute the employee fee is paid by the employing agency).¹
2. Complete form DSSP 247 (Security Guard Employee), answering every question and listing three references.³ Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
3. Deliver it in person (do not mail) to Permits and Licensing, NH Department of Safety, 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord, with photo ID and a check to "State of N.H. - Treasurer" for $5 + $25 + $10.⁴ nhsp.dos.nh.gov⁴
4. State Police run the background investigation and issue a photo ID card if approved.²

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Valid 2 years from issue; renew on DSSP 157 at least 15 days before expiry.⁵

Renewal fee

$5⁵ (Employee renewal, plus $25 record check and $10 background fee)

Security Guard Individual license

License for a person working as a security guard in their own name (self-employed, may use a "doing business as" name) rather than as an agency employee.¹

Requirements

Surety bond

$50,000⁶ (+$50,000 for each additional license type)

Also required

List three unrelated character references and disclose claims or lawsuits against you or your company.⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Buy a two-year $50,000 surety bond on form DSSP 55, running with the license term.⁶ Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
2. Complete form DSSP 259 (Security Guard Individual); all documents must be submitted together or the application is not accepted.⁶ Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
3. Deliver in person (do not mail) to Permits and Licensing, 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord, with photo ID and a check to "State of N.H. Treasurer" for $150 + $25 + $10.⁴ nhsp.dos.nh.gov⁴
4. The license issues after the background investigation once certified evidence of the bond is on file.²

Renewal

When it expires

2-year term; renew on DSSP 157 at least 15 days before expiry with proof the bond remains in force.⁵

Renewal fee

$150⁵ (Plus $25 record check and $10 background fee)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Armed Security Guard license

Armed status on an employee or individual security guard license lets the guard provide protection using a firearm; without it a licensee may not openly carry on the job.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 4 clock hours¹
Four hours of instruction on firearms techniques and safety, deadly-force law and the moral and ethical use of force, plus the handgun course of fire (and shotgun/rifle courses if the employer issues them), certified by a qualified firearms instructor.¹
Who may teach it: Qualified firearms instructor (PSTC, another state's POST, FBI, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Ruger or NRA police firearms instructor school, or equivalent approved by the commissioner).¹

Experience

Must hold (or apply at the same time for) a security guard employee or individual license; armed status is requested in Part 2 of the license application.³
License you must hold first: Security guard employee or individual license (applied for together)³

Exam

Firearms proficiency qualification (handgun course of fire; shotgun familiarization and rifle course if carried)¹
Given by: Qualified firearms instructor, who completes form DSSP 158²
Passing score: Handgun: 27 of 36 hits inside the silhouette on 2 consecutive occasions (statute: minimum 75 percent); rifle: 45 points or better²
Handgun course: 36 rounds from 3 to 25 yards on an FBI "Q" target²
Shotgun familiarization (if issued) and rifle course from 25 yards (if issued)²
Exam waived: A PSTC-approved handgun course may substitute for the course of fire if its course of fire is submitted with DSSP 158.²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required⁴
The commissioner must deny applicants with a felony conviction, a violent misdemeanor, or a theft/fraud/deceit/misrepresentation conviction, or who make a material misstatement; applicants treated for mental illness need a practitioner's statement. References may be sent questionnaires, and local police are notified. A denied applicant may request a hearing within 15 days.¹

Also required

Failing to requalify suspends armed status only; the person may keep working unarmed.²

Also required

A pistol permit does not allow carrying a firearm while working as a guard.³

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Qualified firearms instructor, who completes form DSSP 158², when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Complete the 4-hour instruction and qualify on the course of fire with a qualified firearms instructor, who completes form DSSP 158.² Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
2. Call (603) 223-3873 for a fingerprint appointment at 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord (weekdays 8:30-3:30), bringing a driver's license, non-driver ID or passport.⁴
3. The armed license is issued only after the qualification form is approved and the FBI check is done.³

Renewal

When it expires

License renews every 2 years, but firearms proficiency must be re-qualified at least once a year (new DSSP 158).²

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

Security Guard Agency license

A business that furnishes or employs security guards to protect people or property, including money/document transport and security patrols of homes, businesses or plants.¹

Requirements

Background check

Background check required²
The commissioner must deny applicants with a felony conviction, a violent misdemeanor, or a theft/fraud/deceit/misrepresentation conviction, or who make a material misstatement; applicants treated for mental illness need a practitioner's statement. References may be sent questionnaires, and local police are notified. A denied applicant may request a hearing within 15 days.¹

Surety bond

$50,000¹ (+$50,000 for each additional license type; covers the agency's employees)

Business requirements

Out-of-state corporations must register in NH as foreign corporations under RSA 293-A.¹

Business requirements

Name all partners, officers and major stockholders and the person managing the business in NH; the agency form must be notarized.¹

Business requirements

Every guard employed must hold an employee license (fee paid by the agency); report employee terminations and changes of officers or address within 10 business days.¹

Business requirements

No government-implying names; badges only on the left breast and cap of a guard's uniform; the word "police" may not be used.¹

Also required

Operating without a license is a misdemeanor for a natural person and a felony for any other person.¹

How to apply

1. Register with the NH Secretary of State as a foreign corporation if incorporated elsewhere.¹
2. Obtain the $50,000 surety bond on form DSSP 55.² Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
3. Complete and notarize form DSSP 258 and submit it with the fees (agency applications are the one form that need not be delivered in person).² Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴
4. License each guard you employ (DSSP 247) before they work.¹ Form (PDF, nhsp.dos.nh.gov)⁴

Renewal

When it expires

Renew every 2 years on DSSP 221 at least 15 days before expiry, with certified evidence the bond remains in force.¹

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

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• RSA ch. 106-F (Private Investigators, Security Guards, and Bail Recovery Agents)
• N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2200 (Licensing of Private Investigators, Security Guards, and Bail Recovery Agents)
• Saf-C 2205.01-2205.05
• RSA 106-F:2, II; 106-F:5, V; 106-F:6, II; 106-F:8; 106-F:10, I
• Saf-C 2205.01, 2206 (firearm proficiency)

Common questions

Security guard licenses in other states

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