How to get a security guard license in District of Columbia

District of Columbia licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Security Officer (SO) license, issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing Security Program, with approval from the Metropolitan Police Department Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB).

Licensing agencyDepartment of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing Security Program, with approval from the Metropolitan Police Department Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsSecurity Officer (SO) license official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (17 DCMR 2102.3 as enacted by D.C. Act 16-465) official source
Training, unarmedPre-assignment training of at least 24 hours; then a 16-hour on-the-job course within 90 working days of employment; then 8 hours annual in-service (17 DCMR 2108, as enacted by D.C. Act 16-465 of 2006) official source
Background checkYes: fingerprints (scheduled through MPD), criminal history check; an exam is also required (exam fee paid to the PSI testing center) official source
State feeUSD 103.00 (Security Officer new application fee (DLCP Security Program page)); USD 69.00 (exam fee, paid directly to the PSI testing center (DLCP Security Program page)); USD 103.00 (Security Officer renewal fee (DLCP Security Program page)) official source
Renewal2 years from the date of issuance or last renewal (DLCP notice citing 17 DCMR 2100.4) official source
Working while the application is pendingTemporary certification card possible for applicants 18+ who meet 17 DCMR 2102, 2103 and 2106 (D.C. Act 16-465, 2109.1); current DLCP practice not stated on the pages read official source

Official District of Columbia application page

Checked against official District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia

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