How to get an Unarmed Private Security Officer license in Utah
Utah licenses security guards statewide through the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).1 For the Unarmed Private Security Officer license you need at least 8 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Final examination of the approved basic education and training program2 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $60 for the application3. You renew every 2 years1 and complete at least 32 hours of continuing education2.
Who issues it
Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Training and experience
Training: at least 8 clock hours2
Exam
Final examination of the approved basic education and training program2
Fees the board lists
Application fee: $603
On this page
- Utah security guard licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs an Unarmed Private Security Officer license
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Armored Car Security Officer
- Armed Private Security Officer
- Armored Car Company
- Contract Security Company
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Security guard licenses in other states
Utah security guard licenses
Utah issues 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armored Car Security Officer | Employed by an armored car company to guard currency, valuables and other high-value items in secured transport, with a firearm.1 | Training 8 clock hours5 | Yes1 | $603 |
| Unarmed Private Security Officer | Employed by a contract security company to guard property or protect people without a firearm.1 | Training 8 clock hours2 | Yes1 | $603 |
| Armed Private Security Officer | Employed by a contract security company to guard property or protect people while carrying or having immediate access to a firearm.1 | Training 8 clock hours2 | Yes1 | $603 |
| Armored Car Company | Business that transports currency and other high-value items for others under contract in specially equipped vehicles guarded by armored car security officers.1 | Experience 6,000 hours1 | Yes5 | $3303 |
| Contract Security Company | Business that provides security services to others under contract by assigning armed or unarmed security officers.1 | Experience 6,000 hours1 | Yes2 | $3303 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the Utah 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 5)
Fees
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years1
- When it expires
- Two-year cycle; Security Personnel licenses renew on November 30 of even years.1
2. Every license level except Armored Car Security Officer
From another state
- Route
- Universal license recognition
- What the board says
- License by endorsement under Utah Code 58-1-302: DOPL licenses a person licensed in another US state, district or territory with a similar scope of practice, at least one year of experience under that license, and good standing.4
3. Every license level except Armored Car Company and Contract Security Company
Requirements
- Exam
- Final examination of the approved basic education and training program25
Given by: Given by the approved training program (no state exam vendor named)25
Passing score: 80%25 - Background check
- Background check required1
Fingerprints required25
No felony convictions; listed offenses (theft, sex offenses, controlled substances, fraud, two DUIs in 3 years, etc.) may disqualify; other history reviewed case by case.25 - Also required
- Must carry a copy of the license on duty and show it on request.1
How to apply
- Apply to DOPL with two fingerprint cards and the FBI/BCI check fee, and pay the $60 application fee.25
- If your BCI report shows no record and you answer no to all qualifying questions, DOPL may issue an interim permit valid up to 90 days while the license is processed.1
- Temporary or provisional license
- Interim permit on a complete application; expires after 90 days or when the license issues.1
Renewal
4. Unarmed Private Security Officer and Armed Private Security Officer
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 8 clock hours2
Division-approved basic education and training program (classroom or online), ending in a final exam1
Who may teach it: Program must be approved by DOPL under R156-63a-602.2 - Also required
- Must be employed by a licensed contract security company (definition of the license).1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $603 | DOPL | Effective July 1, 2026 |
How to apply
- Get hired by (or line up a job with) a licensed contract security company; the license is defined around that employment.1
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $423 (Two-year cycle)
- Approved courses
- The employing company must review and approve CE courses for its employees and keep attendance records.2
5. Armored Car Security Officer and Armed Private Security Officer
Requirements
- Also required
- Must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under 18 U.S.C. 922(g).1
How to apply
- Complete a DOPL-approved basic education and training program (at least 8 hours) and an approved basic firearms training program (6 classroom + 6 range hours), passing the final exam with at least 80%.52
Renewal
- Required topics
- At least 16 of the 32 hours must be core CE (company procedures, state law, legal powers, observation/reporting, ethics, use of force/de-escalation, emergency techniques, and a CPR/AED/first-aid course).52
Plus 16 hours of continuing firearms training per cycle, in 4-hour blocks every six months, including a practical pistol recertification at 80%.52
6. Armored Car Company and Contract Security Company
Requirements
- Experience
- At least 6,000 hours of on-the-job training1
Qualifying agent: 6,000 hours of paid experience as a manager, supervisor or administrator of an armored car or contract security company, or 6,000 hours of supervisory law-enforcement/military experience accepted by DOPL1
Supervision: The qualifying agent must be a Utah resident, part of management or an owner, work primarily for the applicant and not act for another security company.1
Substitute: 6,000 hours of supervisory experience with a federal, military, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency1 - Business requirements
- Must register with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, and with Unemployment Insurance (DWS), the State Tax Commission and the IRS.1
- Business requirements
- Must replace a departing qualifying agent: notify DOPL within 15 days and replace within 60 days.1
How to apply
- Register the business with the Division of Corporations and set up unemployment-insurance, state-tax and IRS accounts.1
- Name a qualifying agent with 6,000 hours of qualifying experience who passes the qualifying agent exam (75%).52
- Get the required liability and workers' compensation insurance and file the certificate with DOPL.51
- Apply to DOPL with fingerprint cards for each owner, officer and manager and pay the $330 application fee.52
Who needs an Unarmed Private Security Officer license
Employed by a contract security company to guard property or protect people without a firearm.1
Work that does not need this license:
- Peace officers working off-duty for a contract security company (under agency policy) and staff who only operate screening apparatus such as magnetometers are exempt.1
- A licensed armed private security officer may work unarmed without a second license.1
Other rules on who may do this work:
- Event staff who only take tickets, check credentials, usher or check bags without specialized equipment or physical force are not "security officers".1
How to apply
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.
- Complete a DOPL-approved basic education and training program (at least 8 hours), passing the final exam with at least 80%.2
Renewal and continuing education
- Required topics
- At least 16 of the 32 hours must be core CE (company procedures, state law, legal powers, observation/reporting, ethics, use of force/de-escalation, emergency techniques, and a CPR/AED/first-aid course).2
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Utah Unarmed Private Security Officer license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Armored Car Security Officer
Employed by an armored car company to guard currency, valuables and other high-value items in secured transport, with a firearm.1
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 8 clock hours5
Division-approved basic education and training program for armored car security officers, ending in a final exam5 - Education or training
- At least 6 clock hours5
Division-approved basic firearms training program: at least 6 hours classroom plus at least 6 hours range instruction5 - Exam
- Firearms classroom final examination and practical pistol course5
Passing score: 80% on the classroom exam and 80% on a recognized practical pistol course5 - Also required
- Must be employed by a licensed armored car company (definition of the license).1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $603 | DOPL | Armored car security officer. Effective July 1, 2026 |
How to apply
- Get hired by (or line up a job with) a licensed armored car company; the license is defined around that employment.1
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $423 (Armored car security officer, two-year cycle)
- Approved courses
- The employing armored car company must review and approve CE courses for its employees and keep records of the approved courses.5
From another state
- Route
- Universal license recognition
- What the board says
- License by endorsement under Utah Code 58-1-302: DOPL licenses a person licensed in another US state, district or territory with a similar scope of practice, at least one year of experience under that license, and good standing.4
- Conditions
- Continuing firearms training must comply with the federal Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 85).5
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.
Armed Private Security Officer
Employed by a contract security company to guard property or protect people while carrying or having immediate access to a firearm.1
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 12 clock hours1
Division-approved basic firearms training program: at least 6 hours classroom firearms instruction plus at least 6 hours range instruction (statute: minimum 12 hours)1
Who may teach it: Firearms instructors must hold POST, NRA, law-enforcement, federal or military firearms-instructor certification.2
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.
Armored Car Company
Business that transports currency and other high-value items for others under contract in specially equipped vehicles guarded by armored car security officers.1
Requirements
- Insurance
- Armored car companies must file a certificate of insurance with limits of at least $500,000 per incident and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus workers' compensation.5
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $3303 | DOPL | Armored car company. Effective July 1, 2026 |
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $2033 (Armored car company, two-year cycle)
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.
Contract Security Company
Business that provides security services to others under contract by assigning armed or unarmed security officers.1
Requirements
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $3303 | DOPL | Effective July 1, 2026 |
| Replace/Change Qualifier | $503 | DOPL | Change of qualifying agent. Effective July 1, 2026 |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $2033 (Two-year cycle)
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Armed Private Security OfficerState pre-emption: no city or county security-guard licensing in Utah.1
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a security guard in Utah, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Utah is on the Utah license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- secure.utah.gov6
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
How long does it take to get an Unarmed Private Security Officer license in Utah?
The rules set at least 8 clock hours2 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 Utah?
DOPL publishes this route for the Unarmed Private Security Officer license: universal license recognition4. Conditions and forms.
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
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- 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.
- Utah Code Title 58 Chapter 63 Security Personnel Licensing Act (current version)Utah State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Rule R156-63a: Security Personnel Licensing Act Contract Security RuleUtah Office of Administrative RulesDated May 13, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- H.B. 8 (2026 General Session, Enrolled) State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Authorization and…Utah State LegislatureDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Code 58-1-302 License by endorsement (current version)Utah State LegislatureDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Rule R156-63b: Security Personnel Licensing Act Armored Car RuleUtah Office of Administrative RulesDated May 13, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- Search | License Lookup VerificationUtah Division of Professional LicensingDated November 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026