How to get a security guard license in Arkansas

Arkansas licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Private Security Officer (PSO) credential (called a security guard credential in the fee statute), issued by the Arkansas State Police, Private Investigators and Private Security section (Arkansas Department of Public Safety); Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 40.

Licensing agencyArkansas State Police, Private Investigators and Private Security section (Arkansas Department of Public Safety); Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 40 official source
Credential for unarmed guardsPrivate Security Officer (PSO) credential (called a security guard credential in the fee statute) official source
Credential for armed guardsCommissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission (also Commissioned School Security Officer, CSSO) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (Ark. Code 17-40-306; application states MUST BE 18 YRS OLD) official source
Minimum age, armed21 (CSO application form: MUST BE 21 YRS OLD) official source
Training, unarmedPhase I: minimum 8 hours (17 CAR 350-1004) plus an in-person exam of at least 70 questions, 70% to pass (17 CAR 350-1017); renewal training minimum 6 hours (17 CAR 350-1011) official source
Training, armedPhase I (8 hours) plus Phase II for CSO/CSSO: minimum 16 hours (at least 8 classroom and 8 on the firing range) (17 CAR 350-1005); annual refresher for commissioned officers official source
Background checkYes: all applicants must have a background check; two classifiable fingerprint cards plus state and federal check fees; sealed and expunged records included in the check official source
State feeUSD 78.00 total (PSO unarmed application, effective 1 Oct 2026 form: USD 40.00 PSO fee + USD 22.00 state background check + USD 13.00 federal background check + USD 1.00 + USD 2.00 federal fees) official source
Renewal2 years (Ark. Code 17-40-313: credential expires two years from issuance) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes, under supervision only: the employer must file the application within 14 days of hire, and the new employee may work under line-of-sight supervision of the licensee or a credential holder until the application is processed; work must stop if the background check finds a possible disqualifier; a commissioned (armed) applicant cannot work armed until the application is fully processed and the ID card issued (17 CAR 350-214; also printed on the PSO application). official source

Official Arkansas application page

Checked against official Arkansas 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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