How to get a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General in Rhode Island
Rhode Island licenses security guards statewide through the Department of Attorney General.1 For the Security guard employee registration (employee's registration statement) with the Department of Attorney General you need a criminal background check1.
Who issues it
Department of Attorney General
Exam
Not required1
Fees the board lists
Fingerprint and state background check: $51
On this page
- Rhode Island security guard licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General
- Requirements for a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General
- How much a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General costs
- How to apply
- Private security guard business license
- Laws and rules
- Security guard licenses in other states
Rhode Island security guard licenses
Rhode Island issues 2 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 every Rhode Island security guard license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
Requirements
- Exam
- Not required1
Who needs a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General
Work that does not need this license:
- Secretaries and clerical workers are exempt from employee registration.1
Requirements for a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
- Background check
- Background check required1
No felony or moral-turpitude conviction (sworn in the statement); licensees may not employ felons.1 - Residency or citizenship
- The statement must give the country of citizenship.1
- Also required
- The registration form is completed only after a conditional offer of employment.1
- Also required
- Identification cards are in the form prescribed by the AG.1
How much a Security guard employee registration with the Department of Attorney General costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint and state background check | $51 | Department of Attorney General | Per employee, requested by the licensee |
How to apply
- Receive a conditional job offer from a licensed private security guard business.1
- Complete and sign the verified employee's registration statement (identity, citizenship, 5-year work history, no felony/moral turpitude).1
- The employer obtains the AG criminal background check ($5) and registration; do not work until registered.1
Private security guard business license
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old1
- Background check
- Background check required1
- Residency or citizenship
- United States citizen or resident alien; corporations must be RI-incorporated or qualified to do business in RI with a registered agent.1
- Insurance
- Certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance: at least $300,000 bodily/personal injury and $100,000 property damage, with assault and battery and personal injury (false arrest, libel, slander, invasion of privacy) endorsements, care-custody-control and errors-and-omissions endorsements; 30 days' notice to the AG before cancellation; RI-licensed carrier.1
- Business requirements
- Trade names need written AG authorization and a doing-business-as certificate filed with the city or town clerk and the Secretary of State.1
- Also required
- Licensees may not employ anyone convicted of a felony, and every non-clerical employee must be registered and licensed by the AG.1
- Also required
- No police-style insignia, badges, vehicle markings or wording; AG must approve wording.1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $4001 | Department of Attorney General | The registration and license fee for a private security guard business shall be four hundred dollars. Every 2 years |
| Fingerprint and state background check | $51 | Department of Attorney General | The background criminal check fee for employees of private security guard businesses shall be five dollars. Per employee background check |
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
- Apply to the Department of Attorney General (Bureau of Criminal Identification) for a private security guard business license, naming every partner, officer and 10%+ shareholder.1
- File the certificate of general liability insurance with the AG.1
- Pay the $400 biennial license fee; the AG investigates and issues or denies the license (hearing may be requested within 15 days of a denial).1
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years1
- When it expires
- Renewal application must reach the AG at least 30 days before expiry; the business may keep operating while renewal is pending.1
- Renewal fee
- $4001
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Security guard licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 110-RICR-20-00-2 Private Security Guard Businesses (Department of Attorney General)Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 7, 2026