How to get a Security Guard Registration in New York

New York security guard licenses

New York issues 4 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 New York 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 Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency License

Requirements

Exam

Not required²⁷

2. Every license level except Proprietary Security Guard Employer

Fees

How to apply

Application form

dos.ny.gov²⁹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years³⁸

Renew online

dos.ny.gov¹¹¹²

3. Security Guard Registration and Armed Security Guard Registration

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁴

Education or training

8 clock hours¹
8-hour Pre-Assignment Training course before applying (certificate submitted with the application).¹
Who may teach it: Schools approved by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS); the school reports completions to DCJS, which forwards them to DOS.³
Alternative: Active police officers are exempt; retired police officers and some peace officers are exempt from training with proof (GBL 89-n(4)); DCJS can waive training for separated NY peace officers within four years. Out-of-state officers get no waiver.¹

Education or training

16 clock hours¹
16-hour On-The-Job Training (OJT) within 90 days of starting work as a guard.¹

Background check

Background check required²
Fingerprints required⁶
DCJS and FBI fingerprint checks; applicants must not have been convicted of a serious offense. DOS publishes a notice for applicants with convictions who have stayed crime-free for 10 years (records sealed).²

Residency or citizenship

A current NYS photo driver's license or non-driver ID is required because DMV prints the card.⁶

Also required

Employers must check the Online Security Guard Registry and file the application within 24 hours of getting a transaction number.⁶

Fees

How to apply

Processing time

3-5 days (Business Express average).⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee

$25⁶

Approved courses

DCJS-approved security guard training schools.³

If it expires

You cannot work as a guard once the card expires; if not renewed within 6 months after expiry you must reapply and requalify.⁶

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: DOS refers applicants with military experience to the NYS Department of Labor Experience Counts Program; no guard-specific military waiver is stated.¹

Who needs a Security Guard Registration

Individual registration for anyone employed in NY as a security guard: protecting people and property, deterring and reporting intrusion, theft, vandalism, arson or trespass, street patrol, and responding to (not installing) alarms.⁴

Work that does not need this license:

• A qualifier of a licensed Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency or PI firm needs no separate guard registration when guarding for their own company.⁶

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Exempt from registration: guards regulated by the federal government for registration and training, volunteers, active police officers, and peace officers working for their primary employer (moonlighting peace officers must register).⁶
• A security guard registration does not allow alarm installation (separate alarm installer license).⁶

How much a Security Guard Registration costs

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

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. Take the 8-hour Pre-Assignment course at a DCJS-approved school.¹
2. Get electronically fingerprinted in New York by IdentoGO (service code 1545R1) and keep both receipts.⁵
3. Mail the Employee Statement and Security Guard Application (DOS-1206-a), DMV consent form, training certificate, fingerprint receipt and $36 fee to DOS within 5 months of fingerprinting; the employer completes the Notice of Employment section if you start work on filing.⁵ dos.ny.gov²
4. Complete the 16-hour OJT within 90 days of starting work, then 8 hours of in-service training every calendar year.¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Renewal forms are mailed about 90 days before expiry; you may renew from 90 days before. Required training must be on file with DOS.³

Continuing education

At least 16 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

8-hour Annual In-Service Training every calendar year (two courses, 16 hours, per 2-year registration) to be eligible to renew.¹

Exemptions

Police and peace officers retired less than 10 years are exempt from the annual in-service course.¹

Armed Security Guard Registration

A security guard registration with armed status, needed for guards who carry a firearm; requires the 47-hour firearms course and a NYS pistol permit.⁶

Requirements

Education or training

47 clock hours⁶
47-hour Firearms Training course; a valid NYS pistol permit and a security guard registration are needed to enroll.¹
Who may teach it: DCJS-approved school; DCJS may waive it for qualifying NY peace officers.⁶

Also required

Valid NYS pistol permit required for the firearms course.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Register as a security guard (8-hour course, fingerprints, DOS-1206-a application).¹
2. Hold a valid NYS pistol permit and complete the 47-hour Firearms Training course at a DCJS-approved school.¹
3. Send the 47-hour certificate (or DCJS waiver) to DOS with your application for the armed registration upgrade.¹ dos.ny.gov²
4. Each calendar year complete both the 8-hour in-service course and the 8-hour annual firearms course.¹

Renewal

When it expires

Two-year registration; armed renewal uses form DOS-1246. Training must be on file.³

Required topics

8-hour Annual In-Service Training every calendar year (two courses, 16 hours, per 2-year registration) to be eligible to renew.¹
8-hour Annual Firearms Training every calendar year (two per 2-year registration) in addition to the 8-hour in-service course.¹

Exemptions

Police and peace officers retired less than 10 years are exempt from the annual in-service course, but an armed guard must still complete the 8-hour Annual Firearms Course every year.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Proprietary Security Guard Employer

One-time registration for a private or public entity that employs its own (in-house) security guards; such employers are not licensed as agencies.⁷

Requirements

Insurance

Liability insurance is required; no guard may be knowingly employed unless coverage is on file with DOS.¹³

Also required

Employers must screen hires through the Online Security Guard Registry (19 NYCRR 174.6).¹⁴

How to apply

1. File form DOS-1628-a with proof of liability insurance.⁷

Application form

businessexpress.ny.gov⁷

Processing time

45 days⁷

Renewal

When it expires

One-time; not renewable.⁷

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

Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency License

Business license for a person or company furnishing watchpersons, guards or private patrol for hire; its guards must hold security guard registrations.⁸

Requirements

Minimum age

25 years old¹⁰

Experience

At least 2 years⁹
Two years of full-time security experience (e.g. sheriff, police officer, or guard with a government agency, licensed PI or WGP agency), or two years in an equivalent position: primary duty performing guard services, or reviewing and supervising at least three people performing security services.¹⁵
License you must hold first: The applicant must be a principal in the business entity.⁹

Exam

Watch, Guard or Patrol examination (walk-in)⁹
Given by: NYS Department of State (walk-in exam schedule published by DOS)⁹
Time limit: Exam must be passed within the two years before the application date.⁹
Exam waived: Special testing arrangements available for disabilities.⁹

Background check

Background check required¹⁰
Fingerprints required⁹

Insurance

If employing security guards: liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate covering false arrest/imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander and privacy; 30 days' notice to DOS before cancellation.¹³

Business requirements

Proof of business trade name registration and character references are required.¹⁰

Business requirements

License must be posted.¹⁰

Fees

You pay the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (8 fees) and IDEMIA (- Fingerprinting Fee, Support Staff/Employee Statement).

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. Pass the walk-in Watch, Guard or Patrol exam ($15) given by DOS.⁹
2. Get fingerprinted by IdentoGO (code 1545QJ).⁵
3. Submit the PI/Bail Enforcement/WGP application (DOS 0075) with experience proof, references and the $300 (individual) or $400 (business) fee.¹⁰
4. When DOS approves the application, file the $10,000 surety bond and, if you will employ guards, the liability insurance certificate.¹³

Processing time

3-5 business days (Business Express); initial issuance varies because of the investigation.¹⁰

Renewal

When it expires

Renewal forms mailed about 90 days before expiry; a Certification of Bonded Status is required at renewal.¹²

Renewal fee

$300⁹ (Individual; corporate or business renewal is $400 ("$400 – Renewal"))

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100¹⁰

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

appext20.dos.ny.gov¹⁶

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• N.Y. General Business Law Article 7-A (Security Guard Act), incl. §§ 89-g, 89-h, 89-n
• 19 NYCRR Chapter V, Subchapter C, Parts 170-174
• N.Y. General Business Law Articles 7 and 7-A
• 19 NYCRR Part 174
• N.Y. General Business Law Article 7 (§§ 70-84) and Article 7-A

Common questions

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