How to get a Security Officer license in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses security guards statewide through the North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board (NDPISB).¹ For the Security Officer license you need at least 32 clock hours² of education, at least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training² and a criminal background check¹. The board lists $45 for the initial license¹. You renew every year¹.

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 7 official sources

Who issues it

North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board (NDPISB)

Training and experience

Training: at least 32 clock hours²
Experience: at least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training²

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $45¹
FBI background check: $43³

Renewal

Every year¹

From another state

Exam waiver² Details

On this page

North Dakota security guard licenses
Applies to every license level
Who needs a Security Officer license
Requirements for a Security Officer license
How to apply
Renewal and continuing education
Apprentice Security Officer
Commissioned Security Officer
Licensed security provider license
Armed Private Security Certificate
Private Security Training Certificate
Private Security Agency License
City and county rules
Check a license or report a problem
Laws and rules
Common questions
Security guard licenses in other states

North Dakota security guard licenses

North Dakota issues 7 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

License	What it covers	Training or experience	Exam	Application or license fee
Apprentice Security Officer	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Training 12 clock hours²	–	$45¹
Commissioned Security Officer	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Experience 3,000 hours²	–	$45¹
Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services)	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Training 80 clock hours⁴ Experience 4,000 hours⁴	Yes²	$225¹
Security Officer	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Training 32 clock hours² Experience 1,000 hours²	–	$45¹
Armed Private Security Certificate	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Experience 1,000 hours²	Yes²	$45¹
Private Security Training Certificate (board-certified security trainer)	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	Experience 3,000 hours²	–	$40¹
Private Security Agency License	Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹	–	Yes⁴	$150¹

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the North Dakota 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 7)

What it covers

Private security service: furnishing for hire security officers or others to protect persons or property, prevent theft, control the flow of the public on private property, prevent intrusion or trespass, or transport money or negotiable securities.¹

Requirements

Minimum age: 18 years old²
High school diploma or GED: Required²
Background check: Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Disqualifying offenses include any felony, class A/B misdemeanours involving violence, intimidation or controlled substances, and theft offenses, unless the board finds no direct bearing and sufficient rehabilitation or a full pardon.²

How to apply

Application form: pisb.nd.gov⁵

Renewal

How often: Every year¹⁶
Renew online: pisb.nd.gov⁷

From another state

Route: No reciprocity
What the board says: No reciprocity: out-of-state applicants must apply in North Dakota and meet all qualifications; residency is not required.⁴

2. Every license level except Armed Private Security Certificate and Private Security Training Certificate (board-certified security trainer)

Renewal

When it expires: All licenses and registrations expire September 30 each year; first-year license fees are prorated quarterly.⁶

3. Every license level except Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services) and Private Security Agency License

Renewal

Late renewal: Late renewal fee: $15¹

4. Every license level except Armed Private Security Certificate, Private Security Training Certificate (board-certified security trainer) and Private Security Agency License

Requirements

Residency or citizenship: North Dakota residency not required.⁴
Also required: Must be free of a mental condition that would interfere with competent service.²
Also required: May not use police-type identification, uniforms, vehicles or titles; uniforms must show the agency name.²
Also required: Must carry the board-issued pocket card while working.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
FBI background check	$43³	NDPISB	Applicant (ND BCI + FBI checks: ND only $15.00, FBI only $28.00, both $43.00). Not refundable
Duplicate or replacement license	$30¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025

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

Temporary or provisional license: Temporary license/registration may issue before the FBI check returns; it expires automatically when the results arrive. No extra fee.¹

Renewal

Approved courses: The board may adopt CE rules (enabling statute only).¹

From another state

Route: Exam waiver
What the board says: The board may waive some or all training/experience for equivalent out-of-state private security, law enforcement, military security or proprietary security experience or training.²

5. Every license level except Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services), Private Security Training Certificate (board-certified security trainer) and Private Security Agency License

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$45¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025

Renewal

Renewal fee: $45¹

6. Every license level except Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services), Armed Private Security Certificate and Private Security Training Certificate (board-certified security trainer)

Renewal

If it expires: Restore within 60 days of expiry by paying lapsed renewal and late fees, if no services were provided while expired; after 60 days a new application with criminal history checks is required.⁶
No work may be done while the license or registration is lapsed.⁶

7. Security Officer, Apprentice Security Officer and Commissioned Security Officer

How to apply

Get hired by (or contract with) a North Dakota-licensed private security agency. The agency, not the individual, files the registration with the Private Investigative and Security Board.²
Complete the board application with fingerprint cards for the state (BCI) and FBI background checks, a passport-size photo and the fee. Forms can be requested from the board or downloaded from its site.⁴
With a clear North Dakota BCI record the agency can get a provisional registration card that is replaced by a permanent card after the federal check clears.⁴

8. Security Officer, Apprentice Security Officer and Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services)

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Active or honourably discharged military (incl. Guard and reserves) are deemed to meet the 1,000-hour security-officer experience requirement; board rules must credit Guard/military service for experience requirements.²

9. Licensed security provider (individual license to provide private security services) and Private Security Agency License

Requirements

Business requirements: Proof of registration with the ND Secretary of State to transact business.⁴

10. Armed Private Security Certificate and Private Security Agency License

Fees

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

Who needs a Security Officer license

Work that does not need this license:

Government-employed officers and investigators acting in official duties are exempt (subcontractors are not).¹
Proprietary security: an employer guarding only its own property need not be licensed; its security employees may register voluntarily as proprietary security officers.¹

Requirements for a Security Officer license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training: At least 32 clock hours²
32 additional hours of in-person or live remote classroom instruction as required by the board.²
Who may teach it: Board-certified trainers.²
Experience: At least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training²
1,000 hours of private security service as a registered apprentice security officer.²
Supervision: Registered officers may work only under the supervision of an individual licensed to provide private security services.²
License you must hold first: Registered apprentice security officer.²
Substitute: Active or honourably discharged military (incl. Guard and reserves) are deemed to meet the 1,000-hour security-officer experience requirement; board rules must credit Guard/military service for experience requirements.²
Substitute: The board may waive some or all training/experience for equivalent out-of-state private security, law enforcement, military security or proprietary security experience or training.²

How to apply

After 1,000 hours as an apprentice (or with qualifying military service) and 32 classroom hours, the agency applies to upgrade the registration to security officer.²

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your North Dakota Security Officer license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Apprentice Security Officer

Requirements

Education or training: At least 12 clock hours²
12 hours of classroom instruction (in-person, live remote or approved online) or 12 hours of supervised field training, completed within 30 days after registration.²
Alternative: Board-approved non-live remote/online course (minimum 12 hours, ND law content) from a board-certified security trainer.²
Experience: No prior experience required; until training is complete the apprentice works only under direct on-site supervision.²
Supervision: Registered officers may work only under the supervision of an individual licensed to provide private security services.²

How to apply

Within 30 days of registration, complete the 12 hours of classroom or field training; a permanent registration is not issued after a temporary one expires without proof of this training.²

Processing time: About 30 business days once a complete application, fees and documents are received (board FAQ).⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Commissioned Security Officer

Requirements

Experience: At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²
3,000 hours as a registered security officer plus at least 1,000 hours as an apprentice security officer.²
Supervision: Registered officers may work only under the supervision of an individual licensed to provide private security services.²
License you must hold first: Registered security officer.²
Substitute: The board may waive some or all training/experience for equivalent out-of-state private security, law enforcement, military security or proprietary security experience or training.²

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: No commissioned-level military provision found; general equivalency waiver (NDAC 93-02-02.1-10) covers military security experience.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Licensed security provider license

Requirements

Education or training: At least 80 clock hours⁴
Must already be a commissioned security officer (which requires 12 + 32 + 80 classroom hours across the three registration levels); alternatively 80 classroom hours with 4,000 hours of documented experience per the board FAQ.²
Experience: At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training⁴
The board's words
“Yes, if you have 4000 hours of security experience and 80 classroom hours of instruction, you can apply as a security provider.”

License you must hold first: Commissioned security officer.⁴
Exam: North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board security provider examination²
Given by: Administered by the board (Executive Director) in Bismarck⁴
When you can take it: Taken after the application requirements are met; the board then schedules it.⁴
Retakes: Retest no sooner than 30 days after a first failure; after a second or later failure, wait one year.²
Time limit: Exam must have been passed within 12 months before the license application.²
Also required: Peace officers may hold a license only while their POST license is inactive; off-duty officers may work as security officers.⁴

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Exam fee	$150¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025
Initial license fee	$225¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025
Study guide (optional)	$40⁴	NDPISB	–
Application materials by mail (optional)	$20⁴	NDPISB	–

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

Reach commissioned security officer status (or document 4,000 hours plus 80 classroom hours).²
Register your business with the North Dakota Secretary of State.⁴
Send the board application, fingerprint cards, passport photo and fees.⁴
Take the board exam in Bismarck when the Executive Director schedules it.⁴

Processing time: About 30 business days once complete.⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee: $225⁷
If it expires: Restore within 60 days of expiry by paying lapsed renewal and late fees, if no services were provided while expired; after 60 days a new application with criminal history checks is required.⁶
No work may be done while the license or registration is lapsed.⁶
Rule: after the two-month late window a new application, background checks, fees and testing are required.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4, group 8 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Armed Private Security Certificate

Requirements

Education or training: Same firearms training as North Dakota peace officers, taught/tested by a board-certified armed instructor.²
Experience: At least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Must hold at least security officer rank.²
License you must hold first: Security officer or commissioned security officer registration (or license).²
Exam: Firearms written examination and shooting course²
Retakes: After two failures wait 30 days; after a third failure wait a full year.²
Also required: A concealed weapons permit or constitutional carry does not allow carrying a weapon on duty.⁴

How to apply

Reach security officer rank, then complete peace-officer-equivalent firearms training and testing with a board-certified armed instructor.²
Apply to the board for the armed private security certificate and pay the annual fee.⁴

Renewal

When it expires: Expires September 30 each year.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3, group 5 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Private Security Training Certificate

Requirements

Education or training: Instructor course, equivalent training/experience, one year teaching, a relevant degree, or vocational certification (any one).²
Experience: At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Must be a commissioned security officer.²
License you must hold first: Commissioned security officer.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$40¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025

How to apply

Apply to the board for trainer certification once commissioned and qualified under one of the five routes.²

Renewal

Renewal fee: $40¹

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

Private Security Agency License

Requirements

Experience: An individual owner must hold the individual security license; an entity needs a qualifying agent (officer/owner/manager with decision authority) and all officers and 10%+ owners must meet the individual qualifications.²
License you must hold first: Individual security-provider license (or passing the security provider exam).⁴
Exam: Security provider exam (taken by the qualifying individual)⁴
Retakes: Retest no sooner than 30 days after a first failure; after a second or later failure, wait one year.²
Business requirements: Agency license not transferable; new owners must reapply.²
Business requirements: Agency must register every employee/contractor who provides security services.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$150¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025
Initial license fee	$450¹	NDPISB	Not refundable. Effective April 22, 2025
Renewal of all nonlicensed officers and owners of at least a ten percent interest (maximum)	$45¹	NDPISB	Not refundable

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

Have the qualifying individual pass the security provider exam/hold the individual license; individual and agency applications may be filed together.⁴
Register the business with the ND Secretary of State and list the qualifying agent, officers and 10%+ owners (each fingerprinted).⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee: $450⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 6, group 9 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Apprentice Security OfficerNo local license: NDCC 43-30-05 makes the state board license exclusive.¹

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license: pisb.nd.gov⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Security Officer license in North Dakota?

The rules set at least 32 clock hours² and at least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training² before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my security guard license to North Dakota?

NDPISB publishes this route for the Security Officer license: exam waiver². Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Security Officer license in North Dakota?

Every year¹. The renewal fee is $45¹.

Security guard licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

N.D. Cent. Code ch. 43-30 Investigative and Security ServicesNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
N.D. Admin. Code ch. 93-02-02.1 Private Security ServicesNorth Dakota Legislative BranchDated October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
Application Page 2: criminal history record check request (SFN 60688)North Dakota Private Investigative and Security BoardDated August 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
Frequently Asked QuestionsNorth Dakota Private Investigative and Security BoardChecked November 7, 2026
Home | Private Investigation and Security Board, of North DakotaNorth Dakota Private Investigative and Security BoardChecked November 7, 2026
N.D. Admin. Code ch. 93-02-03 General Rules (renewal, fees)North Dakota Legislative BranchDated October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
Application Forms (incl. Fee Breakdown)North Dakota Private Investigative and Security BoardChecked November 7, 2026