How to get a security guard license in Minnesota

Minnesota licenses security companies rather than individual unarmed guards; the licensing agency is the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services, Minn. Stat. 326.32 to 326.339 and Minn. Rules chapter 7506. Employers explain what their own guards need.

Licensing agencyMinnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services, Minn. Stat. 326.32 to 326.339 and Minn. Rules chapter 7506 official source
Credential for unarmed guardsNo individual guard license: the protective agent (security company) is licensed; employees of a licensed company are unlicensed employees who must be fingerprint-checked by the employer and issued a company ID card official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed employees must complete board-certified weapons training (firearms, legal limits on force, alternatives to force, first aid) before carrying a weapon on duty, then 6 extra hours of weapons training a year with annual range certification and current CPR and first aid (Minn. Rules 7506.2300 and 7506.2700) official source
Training, unarmedMinimum 12 hours of board-certified preassignment training within the first 21 days of employment (Minn. Rules 7506.2600); 6 hours of board-certified continuing training annually (7506.2700); repeat preassignment training after a 3-year or longer break official source
Training, armedadditional 6 hours of training in the weapons used each year, plus first aid and CPR (Minn. Rules 7506.2700, via search tool for the first aid detail) official source
Background checkYes: the employer submits a full set of fingerprints and written consent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which forwards them to the FBI; the person is a conditional employee, who may not serve as a protective agent but may be trained, until BCA reports no felony or disqualifying offence (Minn. Stat. 326.336 subd. 1) official source
Working while the application is pendingNo: during conditional employment (before the BCA report) the person may not serve as a private detective or protective agent but may be trained by the employer (Minn. Stat. 326.336 subd. 1) official source

Checked against official Minnesota 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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