How to get a security guard license in Illinois

Illinois licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC), issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation (Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, 225 ILCS 447).

Licensing agencyIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation (Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, 225 ILCS 447) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsPermanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) official source
Credential for armed guardsFirearm Control Card (FCC), registered with IDFPR in addition to the PERC; needs a Firearm Training Certificate of Completion from an approved 48-hour firearm training course official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 to apply for a PERC in an unarmed capacity (IDFPR PERC instructions) official source
Training, unarmed20-hour basic training, documented on the IDFPR 20-Hour Basic Training Certification of Completion; given by an approved basic training program official source
Training, armedIDFPR 48-Hour Firearm Training Course: the firearm course includes 20 hours of classroom or online instruction plus 8 hours of practice firing on the range (course outlines for 20 hours of classroom instruction and 28 hours of firearm training) official source
Background checkYes: fingerprints with an electronic fingerprint receipt submitted with the application; a PERC is not issued until security clearance is complete (waivable for peace officers with a VE-PEC form) official source
State feeUSD 55.00 (non-refundable PERC registration fee payable to IDFPR (IDFPR PERC application packet); fingerprint vendor fees are separate) official source
Renewal3 years (PERC expires on 31 May 2018 and every 3 years thereafter; renewal reminder by email about 90 days before expiry) official source

Official Illinois application page

Checked against official Illinois 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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