How to get a security guard license in Arizona

Arizona licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Security Guard Registration (security guard registration certificate / guard card), issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing Unit.

Licensing agencyArizona Department of Public Safety, Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing Unit official source
Credential for unarmed guardsSecurity Guard Registration (security guard registration certificate / guard card) official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed Security Guard Registration (armed security guard registration certificate) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (A.R.S. 32-2622) official source
Minimum age, armedNot stated beyond the 18 and eligibility rules of A.R.S. 32-2622 (armed applicant must not be a prohibited possessor) official source
Training, unarmed8 hours pre-assignment training (A.R.S. 32-2632; DPS syllabus says it must be completed before submitting the application); 8 hours refresher before renewal official source
Training, armedAt least 16 hours initial firearms instruction plus 8 hours annual firearms continuing instruction (A.R.S. 32-2632) official source
Background checkYes: fingerprints for state and federal criminal records checks (A.R.S. 32-2623); FD-258 card official source
State feeUSD 50 (unarmed security guard registration, new or renewal (DPS fee table)); USD 100 (armed security guard registration, new or renewal (DPS fee table)); USD 50 (upgrade from unarmed to armed, initial one-time use (DPS fee table)); USD 22 (fingerprint processing fee, required with every security guard application (DPS fee table and checklist)) official source
Renewal4 years (certificate is issued for four years, A.R.S. 32-2624) official source
Working while the application is pendingMostly no: a guard may not work a post until holding a valid card; only honorably discharged veterans (discharged within 3 years) may get a 45-day certificate before screening completes (A.R.S. 32-2624). No provisional certificate otherwise official source

Official Arizona application page

Checked against official Arizona sources on Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the licensing agency before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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