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How to get a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license in Vermont

Vermont licenses security guards statewide through the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).1 For the Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license you need at least 8 clock hours2 of education and a criminal background check2. The board lists $70 for the application3. You renew every 2 years4.

Last checked · 8 official sources

Who issues it

Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)

Training and experience

Training: at least 8 clock hours2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $703

Renewal

Every 2 years4

On this page
  1. Vermont security guard licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license
  4. Requirements for a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license
  5. How much a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license costs
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (UNARMED)
  8. Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (ARMED)
  9. Registered Investigative/Security Employee (ARMED)
  10. Security Services Agency
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Common questions
  14. Security guard licenses in other states

Vermont security guard licenses

Vermont issues 5 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceApplication or license fee
Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (UNARMED)Licensed security guard who acts as the responsible party (qualifying agent) for an agency and oversees its registered employees.2Training 40 clock hours2
Experience 2 years5		$1753
Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED)Security guard employed by a licensed agency and supervised by its licensed qualifying agent.2Training 8 clock hours2$703
Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (ARMED)Licensed security guard who acts as the responsible party (qualifying agent) for an agency and oversees its registered employees, with the armed specialty.2Training 40 clock hours2
Experience 2 years5		$2303
Registered Investigative/Security Employee (ARMED)Security guard employed by a licensed agency and supervised by its licensed qualifying agent with the armed specialty.2Training 8 clock hours2$1403
Security Services AgencyBusiness license for a security services agency; a licensed security guard acts as its responsible party. A sole proprietor agency has one licensee and no employees.2–$3903

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Vermont 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)

How to apply

Apply online
sos.vermont.gov1

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years4
Renew online
sos.vermont.gov1

2. Every license level except Security Services Agency

Requirements

Also required
Uniforms, badges and insignia must not suggest law enforcement authority (Rule 7-4).2

Renewal

Required topics
Current CPR certification is required at each renewal.2

3. Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) and Registered Investigative/Security Employee (ARMED)

Requirements

Education or training
At least 8 clock hours2
OPR-approved training program completed before registration2
Who may teach it: Program must be OPR-approved (see the "Approved Courses" list on the forms page).1
Also required
Current CPR certification (American Heart Association or American Red Cross) completed within two years before applying.2
Also required
A Supervisor Authorization Form is needed for each agency you work for.2

How to apply

  1. Get a job with a Vermont-licensed security agency; your agency's licensed qualifying agent supervises you.2
  2. Complete an OPR-approved 8-hour training program and a CPR course.2
  3. Apply in OPR Online Services and upload a Supervisor Authorization Form for each agency.2

4. Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (UNARMED) and Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (ARMED)

Requirements

Education or training
At least 40 clock hours2
OPR-approved 40-hour training program completed before licensure2
Who may teach it: Program must be OPR-approved (see the "Approved Courses" list on the forms page).1
Experience
At least 2 years5
At least two years of security work satisfactory to the Director5
Substitute: Experience may include being licensed as a security guard in another state, employment by a licensed security agency, or service as a sworn federal, state or municipal law enforcement officer.5
Also required
Applicant must have attained the age of majority.5
Also required
Current CPR certification completed within two years before applying.2

How to apply

  1. Build at least two years of security experience (another state's license, work for a licensed agency, or sworn law enforcement).5
  2. Complete an OPR-approved 40-hour training program and a CPR course.2
  3. Apply in OPR Online Services and pay the application fee.3

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Fast Track Endorsement: OPR endorses applicants who have held an active license in good standing in another state for at least 3 years immediately before applying (3 V.S.A. § 136a). PI & Security employees, transient practitioners and instructors are excluded; licensed security guards are not on the exclusion list.6

5. Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (ARMED) and Registered Investigative/Security Employee (ARMED)

Requirements

Education or training
Firearms training certificate from an OPR-approved provider (armed specialty)2

Who needs a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license

Security guard employed by a licensed agency and supervised by its licensed qualifying agent.2

Requirements for a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license

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

Background check
Background check required2
OPR runs an internal Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) check on every application.2

How much a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$703OPRApplication for registration — Private investigator and security services employees, unarmed registrants

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee
$953 (Every two years)

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Vermont Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (UNARMED)

Licensed security guard who acts as the responsible party (qualifying agent) for an agency and oversees its registered employees.2

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
Director may inquire into character, integrity and reputation; OPR runs a VCIC check on every application.5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$1753OPR

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1403 (Every two years)

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

Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (ARMED)

Licensed security guard who acts as the responsible party (qualifying agent) for an agency and oversees its registered employees, with the armed specialty.2

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Director may inquire into character, integrity and reputation; OPR runs a VCIC check on every application.5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$2303OPR

How to apply

  1. Add the armed specialty: OPR-approved firearms training certificate plus an FBI fingerprint check.2
Processing time
FBI fingerprint results take 6-12 weeks after VCIC receives the prints.7

Renewal

Renewal fee
$2053 (Every two years)

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

Registered Investigative/Security Employee (ARMED)

Security guard employed by a licensed agency and supervised by its licensed qualifying agent with the armed specialty.2

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
OPR runs an internal Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) check on every application; the armed specialty also needs a fingerprint-based FBI check.2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1403OPRApplication for registration — Private investigator and security service employees, armed registrants

How to apply

  1. Add the armed specialty in your online account: complete OPR-approved firearms training and an FBI fingerprint background check.2
Processing time
FBI fingerprint results take 6-12 weeks to come back once VCIC receives the prints (armed specialty).7

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1503 (Every two years)

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.

Security Services Agency

Business license for a security services agency; a licensed security guard acts as its responsible party. A sole proprietor agency has one licensee and no employees.2

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
OPR runs a VCIC check on every application.2
Business requirements
Agency must have a Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard as its qualifying agent; changes are reported on the "Notification of Change in Designated Licensee (Qualifying Agent)" form.2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$3903OPRSecurity services agency
Application fee$4603OPRAgency providing both investigative and security services
Application fee$2503OPRSole proprietor agency

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

  1. Have a Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard who will act as the agency's qualifying agent.2
  2. Apply for the agency license in OPR Online Services (Agency with Employees Application Instructions on the forms page).1

Renewal

Renewal fee
$3453 (Every two years)

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
sos.vermont.gov8
File a complaint
sos.vermont.gov8

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license in Vermont?

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.

How often do you renew a Registered Investigative/Security Employee (UNARMED) license in Vermont?

Every 2 years4. The renewal fee is $953.

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.

  1. Private Investigative and Security Services Forms & InstructionsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Private Investigative & Security Services FAQsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Vermont LawsVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. OPR Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates, 90 Day Initial Licensing Policy (Updated 7/1/2025)Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationDated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  5. 26 V.S.A. § 3174. Security guard licensesVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online)Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Fast Track EndorsementVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  7. OPR Background ChecksVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Find a Professional | Secretary of StateVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026