How to get a security guard license in Delaware

Delaware licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Unarmed Security Guard license ('Yellow Card'), issued by the Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section (Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies); fingerprinting through the State Bureau of Identification.

Licensing agencyDelaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section (Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies); fingerprinting through the State Bureau of Identification official source
Credential for unarmed guardsUnarmed Security Guard license ('Yellow Card') official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed Security Guard / commissioned security guard ('Red Card' firearms endorsement on the Yellow Card) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (24 Del. C. 1314) official source
Minimum age, armed21 (24 Del. C. 1315) official source
Training, armed40-hour Firearms Course with an approved instructor, including Day Light and Low Light shoot certifications; annual firearms re-certification shoots official source
Background checkYes: fingerprints through IdentoGO (State Bureau of Identification); disqualifying convictions listed in 24 Del. C. 1314 (any felony; certain misdemeanors within 7 years) official source
State feeUSD 105.00 (non-refundable fee to initially apply or renew the Yellow Card, paid when registering with IdentoGO); USD 59.00 (also stated as USD 49.00) (state security guard test/exam at DTCC; the same DSP FAQ page gives USD 59.00 in one place and USD 49.00 in another) official source
Renewal5 years (license expires on the holder's birthdate) official source
Working while the application is pendingPartly: after approval the applicant receives an email approval valid in place of a physical ID card for 15 days (not for Red Cards). Not stated that a guard may work before approval official source

Official Delaware application page

Checked against official Delaware 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.

Open security guard jobs in Delaware

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