How to get a Private Security Officer Registration in South Carolina

South Carolina security guard licenses

South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

United States citizen¹

Renewal

How often

Every year²

2. Every license level except Contract Security Business License

Renewal

If it expires

Renewal applications must reach SLED 30-60 days before expiry; a late filing makes the card or license invalid.²
Fees must be paid by valid business check, cashier check or money order with the application.²

3. Every license level except Private Security Officer Registration (unarmed)

Requirements

Minimum age

21 years old¹

4. Private Security Officer Registration (unarmed) and Private Security Officer Registration (armed) with Security Weapons Permit

What it covers

Security officers watch over, protect or defend people or property (access control, detecting intruders, reacting to hazards, thefts, violations, emergencies, maintaining order); registered officers hired for specific property have sheriff's-deputy arrest powers on that property only.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 4 clock hours²
SLED-approved basic training: at least 4 hours by a SLED-certified company training officer using the current S.C. Technical College Private Security Training School material, with a written exam, completed before starting duties at a client site.²
Who may teach it: Taught by the employer's SLED-certified private security company training officer.²
Alternative: Alternative SLED-approved basic course from an accredited agency or educational institution, plus at least 2 hours of employer orientation; holder is designated a Certified Private Security Officer.²

Exam

Written examination after basic training (designed by the company certified training officer)²
Given by: Employer's SLED-certified company training officer (no state exam vendor)²

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
Must not have a felony or crime involving moral turpitude conviction; good moral character; no unlawful drug use; not discharged from military service other than honorably.¹

Also required

Must be employed by a licensed security business (contract or proprietary); registration only allows work while so employed.¹

Also required

Must pass a SLED-approved pre-employment drug test.¹

Also required

May work up to 30 days after SLED receives the application while it is pending, without arrest authority and unarmed.¹

Also required

School security officers must be at least 21 and school districts face extra conditions (dedicated security division, law-enforcement agreement, recertification every two years) under the 2025 amendment.¹

Fees

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

How to apply

1. Get hired by a SLED-licensed contract or proprietary security business (registration is tied to a licensed employer).¹
2. Submit the SLED application under oath with fingerprints, a color photo taken within six months, certified SLED-approved drug-screen results, and the fee (the employer may pay).¹
3. You may work unarmed and without arrest powers for up to 30 days after SLED receives the application; once SLED registers you it notifies your employer.¹

Temporary or provisional license

Pending registration, an officer may work up to 30 days after SLED receives the application (no arrest authority, unarmed); must stop if not registered within 30 days.¹

Renewal

When it expires

Valid for one year from date of issue²

5. Contract Security Business License and Proprietary Security Business License

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Fingerprints required¹
No felony or crime involving moral turpitude; good moral character; no unlawful drug use; honourable military discharge; principals must be of suitable character.¹

Business requirements

License is issued only to a principal of the business; corporations name the CEO or a designated officer/principal as applicant, and every partner of a partnership must apply. All principals are disclosed on each new and renewal application.²

Business requirements

Must have (or obtain) a competent SLED-certified training officer and a SLED-approved training program.²

Business requirements

Licenses are not transferable; a transfer of 25% or more of corporate stock is a change of ownership requiring surrender of the license.¹

Business requirements

Business and trade names need SLED approval; the words "security" or "protection" may be used only by licensed private security entities, and paid advertising must show the SLED license number.²

Also required

Must not be an unlawful drug user, alcohol-impaired, adjudicated incapacitated, or have an impairment preventing competent performance.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Have the business principal (CEO or designated officer; every partner for a partnership) complete SLED's sworn application listing 10 years of addresses and employment, arrests and convictions, and disclose all principals.¹
2. Attach one set of fingerprints and a color full-face photo taken within six months.¹
3. Pay the $350 annual fee by business check, cashier check or money order with the application; once licensed, post the license and register every security officer you employ.²

Temporary or provisional license

If the licensed principal leaves, the business is conditionally licensed and must file a new principal application within 5 days; it may operate up to 20 days after SLED receives it.²

Renewal

When it expires

Licensure is for one year; renewal on a SLED form.¹

Renewal fee

$350² (Annual renewal)

Who needs a Private Security Officer Registration

Work that does not need this license:

• A full-time state, county or municipal law enforcement officer paid as an independent-contractor patrolman, guard or watchman (not employed by another officer) is exempt from the contract and proprietary security business license sections (S.C. Code 40-18-50(H), 40-18-60(I)).¹
• A non-uniformed, unarmed fire watchman, gatekeeper or security officer with no arrest authority, working for an employer that is not a security or private investigation business, is exempt from the contract and proprietary security business license sections (S.C. Code 40-18-50(I), 40-18-60(J)).¹
• Chapter does not apply to on-duty federal, state, local-government (excluding school districts) or municipal officers and employees; consumer reporting agencies gathering or reporting credit information; attorneys performing their duties; or insurance licensees performing licensed duties.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Licensed security businesses may use unregistered temporary employees for special events of no more than 10 days a calendar year (no arrest authority, unarmed), notifying SLED at least 5 days ahead and paying $5 per temporary employee.¹

Requirements for a Private Security Officer Registration

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

Minimum age

18 years old¹

How much a Private Security Officer Registration costs

How to apply

1. Complete the SLED-approved basic training (4+ hours) and the written exam given by the company's certified training officer.²

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$65² (Annual renewal)

Private Security Officer Registration with Security Weapons Permit

Requirements

Education or training

At least 4 clock hours²
Firearms course approved by SLED: at least 4 hours by a certified company training officer or S.C. Criminal Justice Academy-certified firearms instructor, following the S.C. Technical College Private Security Training School lesson plans, with range demonstration.²
Who may teach it: Private security company certified training officer or law enforcement firearms instructor certified by the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.²

Exam

Firearm proficiency (range qualification)¹

Also required

Security Weapons Permit covers a particular type of firearm, carried openly while in uniform on duty or traveling to/from post; SLED may also issue a Security Concealed Weapons Permit. Rifles and shotguns are prohibited unless SLED approves a site.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete the SLED-approved basic training (4+ hours) and the written exam given by the company's certified training officer, plus the 4-hour SLED-approved firearms course with range qualification.²

Renewal

Renewal fee

$110² (Annual renewal)

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.

Contract Security Business License

Contract security business: providing private patrol, watchman, guard, security or bodyguard service for a fee; one license covers any number of branch offices.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years¹
At least two years as a supervisor or administrator in industrial security with a licensed security business or SLED-approved security program, or as a sworn federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement officer.²

Surety bond

$10,000¹ (Contract security business)

Fees

How to apply

1. Post a $10,000 surety bond with SLED (Attorney General-approved form, S.C.-licensed surety). Arrange a SLED-certified company training officer and approved training curriculum.¹

Renewal

If it expires

Renewal applications must reach SLED 30-60 days before expiry; a late filing makes the card or license invalid.²
Fees must be paid by valid business check, cashier check or money order with the application.²
Cancelled surety bond: business becomes conditionally licensed and must file a new bond certificate within 10 days or cease operating.²

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

Proprietary Security Business License

Proprietary security business: an employer that uses armed, uniformed or arrest-authorized security officers on its own premises (including public school districts and charter schools, with the superintendent as applicant).¹

Requirements

Also required

Applicant and company must satisfy SLED they are financially responsible.¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Show SLED the applicant and company are financially responsible. Arrange a SLED-certified company training officer and approved training curriculum.²

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

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• S.C. Code Ann. Title 40, Chapter 18 (Private Security and Investigation Agencies), 40-18-20 to 40-18-150
• S.C. Code Regs. 73-400 to 73-422 (Chapter 73, Article 9, Private Security and Private Investigation Businesses)
• S.C. Code Regs. 73-408

Rule changes since January 2024

• May 12, 2025: 2025 Act No. 36 (S.269) added school security officer rules to 40-18-80(A)(3) (age 21, district security division, law-enforcement training agreement, two-year recertification) and brought school districts under the chapter.¹ 2025 Act No. 36 (S.269) let public school districts (superintendent as applicant), Public Charter School District charter schools and approved institutions of higher learning apply for proprietary security licenses under SLED school-security standards.¹

Common questions

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