Security guard license reciprocity and transfer, state by state
Moving with a security guard license? Here is what each state's board says it accepts from other states, with the partner lists exactly as the boards publish them.
On this page
How security guard licenses move between states
No license is valid nationwide: the board in the state you move to decides whether it accepts yours. Across the 42 states and DC we cover, the routes boards publish for the main security guard license are temporary license or permit (7), license by endorsement (6), military service members and spouses (4), reciprocity agreements (4), exam waiver (3), universal license recognition (2) and other route (1). What each route means.
Security guard reciprocity by state
| State | License | Routes the board publishes | States the board lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Security Officer | License by endorsement1 Temporary license or permit2 | – |
| Alaska | Security guard license (unarmed) | No route published | – |
| Arizona | Unarmed Security Guard Employee Registration | No reciprocity3 Temporary license or permit4 Universal license recognition5 | – |
| Arkansas | Private Security Officer (PSO) credential | License by endorsement6 Temporary license or permit6 | – |
| California | Security Guard Registration | Military service members and spouses7 | – |
| Colorado | No state license8 | – | – |
| Connecticut | Security officer license (Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card) | No route published | – |
| Delaware | Unarmed Security Guard License (Yellow Card) | No reciprocity9 | – |
| District of Columbia | Security Officer | No route published | – |
| Florida | Security Officer (Class "D") | Temporary license or permit10 No reciprocity11 | – |
| Georgia | Private Security Employee registration with Board weapon permit (armed security guard) | No reciprocity12 Other route13 | – |
| Hawaii | Guard Employee Registration (GDE) | No reciprocity14 | – |
| Iowa | Identification Card (Private Security Guard) | No reciprocity15 | – |
| Kansas | No state license16 | – | – |
| Louisiana | Security Officer Registration (unarmed) | License by endorsement17 Reciprocity agreements18 | No list on the pages cited |
| Maine | Contract Security Company License | No reciprocity19 | – |
| Maryland | Security Guard Certification | No reciprocity20 | – |
| Massachusetts | Watch Guard (WG) license (private detective or watch, guard, or patrol license) | No route published | – |
| Michigan | Security Guard | No route published | – |
| Minnesota | Protective Agent License | No reciprocity21 | – |
| Mississippi | Security Guard Permit (Statewide Security Guard Gun Permit) | No route published | – |
| Montana | Private Security Guard | No reciprocity22 Temporary license or permit23 | – |
| Nevada | Registered Work Card (registration as an employee of a PILB licensee; "Security Guard" use) | No route published | – |
| New Hampshire | Security Guard Employee license | No route published | – |
| New Mexico | Security Guard Level One registration | License by endorsement24 Military service members and spouses25 | – |
| New York | Security Guard Registration | No reciprocity26 | – |
| North Carolina | Unarmed Security Guard Registration | No reciprocity27 | – |
| North Dakota | Security Officer | No reciprocity28 Exam waiver29 | – |
| Ohio | Security guard employee registration (registration identification card) | No reciprocity30 | – |
| Oklahoma | Security Guard License (unarmed) | Reciprocity agreements31 Exam waiver31 | No list on the pages cited |
| Oregon | Unarmed Private Security Professional certification | Temporary license or permit32 | – |
| Pennsylvania | Act 235 Lethal Weapons Agent certification (Lethal Weapons Training Act) | No reciprocity33 | – |
| Rhode Island | Security guard employee registration (employee's registration statement) with the Department of Attorney General | No route published | – |
| South Carolina | Private Security Officer Registration (unarmed) | No route published | – |
| Tennessee | Unarmed Security Guard/Officer registration | No route published | – |
| Texas | Noncommissioned Security Officer (individual license; Level II) | License by endorsement34 Military service members and spouses35 | – |
| Utah | Unarmed Private Security Officer | Universal license recognition36 | – |
| Vermont | Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) | No route published | – |
| Virginia | Unarmed Security Officer/Courier | Reciprocity agreements37 Exam waiver37 | No list on the pages cited |
| Washington | Private security guard license (unarmed) | License by endorsement38 Temporary license or permit39 Reciprocity agreements39 | No list on the pages cited |
| West Virginia | Individual Security Guard License | No reciprocity40 | – |
| Wisconsin | Private Security Person (private security permit) | Military service members and spouses41 | – |
| Wyoming | No state license42 | – | – |
Each state's own board decides whom it accepts. Before you move, read the conditions on the state page and confirm with the board.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Code of Alabama 1975, ch. 34-27C Alabama Security Regulatory Board (secs. 1-18)Alabama Legislature (ALISON)Checked November 7, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 832-X-1 Security Regulatory Board Administration and ProcedureAlabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)Dated April 14, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Security Guard & Private Investigator LicensingArizona Department of Public SafetyChecked November 7, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-2610Arizona State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-4302Arizona State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 CAR pt. 350Arkansas Secretary of State, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Division of Arkansas State Police)Checked November 7, 2026
- Security Guard Registration ApplicationBureau of Security and Investigative ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- HB 25-1262 Final Fiscal Note (July 29, 2025)Colorado General Assembly, Legislative Council StaffDated July 29, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Unarmed Security Guard FAQsDelaware State PoliceChecked November 7, 2026
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.120Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated October 10, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.121Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated December 11, 2016Checked November 7, 2026
- Private Detective and Security Agency: FAQGeorgia Secretary of State, Board of Private Detective and Security AgenciesChecked November 7, 2026
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 509-2 Licensure and RegistrationGeorgia Secretary of State (Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia)Checked November 7, 2026
- Criminal History Record Check RequirementHawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- 661 IAC chapter 121Iowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated February 5, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- K.S.A. 75-7b02 Licensure requiredKansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (Kansas Legislature)Checked November 7, 2026
- 2026 Laws Compiled (July 2026)Louisiana State Board of Private Security ExaminersChecked November 7, 2026
- RS 37:3283Louisiana State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 32 M.R.S. §9409Maine Legislature (Office of the Revisor of Statutes)Dated October 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Security Guard CertificationMaryland Department of State PoliceChecked November 7, 2026
- Minn. Stat. § 326.3381 (2026 Minnesota Statutes)Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Private Security Program - FAQ'sMontana Department of Labor & Industry - Private Security ProgramChecked November 7, 2026
- Private Security Program (home page)Montana Department of Labor & Industry - Private Security ProgramChecked November 7, 2026
- 16.48.2 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- 16.48.8 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- Security Guard Training RequirementsNew York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsNorth Carolina Department of Public Safety, Private Protective Services BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsNorth Dakota Private Investigative and Security BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- N.D. Admin. Code ch. 93-02-02.1 Private Security ServicesNorth Dakota Legislative BranchDated October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Step-by-Step InstructionsOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 12, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 §§ 1750.1-1750.14 (Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigator Act) excerptOklahoma Legislature (Oklahoma Statutes, Title 59)Checked November 7, 2026
- OAR Chapter 259 Division 60 Private Security Services Providers RulesOregon Secretary of State, Oregon Administrative Rules DatabaseChecked November 7, 2026
- Act 235 FAQPennsylvania State PoliceChecked November 7, 2026
- Texas Occupations Code ch. 1702 Private SecurityTexas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
- 37 TAC §35.183 Alternative Licensing for Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military SpousesTexas Secretary of State, Texas Administrative Code (Texas Department of Public Safety rules)Dated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Code 58-1-302 License by endorsement (current version)Utah State LegislatureDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 6VAC20-174 Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Registered PersonnelVirginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)Checked November 7, 2026
- WAC 308-18 Private security guardsWashington State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- RCW 18.170 Security guardsWashington State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- PI/SG Initial ApplicationWV Secretary of StateDated July 7, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- Military Reciprocity - LicensEWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- PI FAQs - Private Investigators and Security Firms, Frequently Asked QuestionsWyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (Office of the Attorney General)Checked November 7, 2026