How to get a security guard license in Maryland

Maryland licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Security Guard Certification, issued by the Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division.

Licensing agencyMaryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division official source
Credential for unarmed guardsSecurity Guard Certification official source
Credential for armed guardsNo separate armed certification. A certified guard who carries a handgun on duty must hold a valid Maryland permit to carry a handgun (Public Safety Article Title 5, Subtitle 3), have employer approval, notify the Secretary, and the Secretary must confirm the permit (BOP 19-413) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 official source
Minimum age, armed21 to hold the handgun carry permit an armed guard needs (Public Safety 5-306; exception for members of the uniformed services or National Guard) official source
Training, unarmed12 hours of initial security training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (waived for anyone employed as a police officer in the 3 years before applying); 8 hours of approved continuing security training for renewal official source
Training, armedHandgun carry permit course: minimum 16 hours in-person instruction by a qualified handgun instructor for the initial permit, 8 hours for each renewal (Public Safety 5-306(a-1)); no separate guard-specific armed course found official source
Background checkYes: Livescan fingerprints to Maryland CJIS and the FBI (valid 30 days); FBI Privacy Act statement; applicant must be of good moral character, with no disqualifying or violent-crime conviction official source
State feeUSD 15.00 (initial Security Guard Certification application (non-refundable; fingerprint fees extra)); USD 10.00 (renewal application); USD 5.00 per day, up to USD 150 (late renewal fee if the renewal is not received at least 30 days before expiry) official source
Renewal3 years (valid for 3 years from the year of issuance); renewal applications due at least 90 days before expiry official source
Working while the application is pendingYes: a licensed agency or security guard employer may use an uncertified guard once it has submitted the application, fingerprint cards and records fee to the Secretary and the application has not been disapproved (BOP 19-401(b) and (d)) official source

Official Maryland application page

Checked against official Maryland 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 Maryland

181 listings right now: see all.