How to get a security guard license in Montana

Montana licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Private Security Guard license, issued by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division, Private Security Program.

Licensing agencyMontana Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division, Private Security Program official source
Credential for unarmed guardsPrivate Security Guard license official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed Endorsement for Guards (added to the guard license) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18, and high school or equivalent (MCA 37-60-303) official source
Training, unarmed16-hour training program (MCA 37-60-303, ARM 24.182.514 and 24.182.807); the employing security company certifies completion with the application official source
Background checkYes: background investigation including a fingerprint check by the Montana Department of Justice and the FBI (MCA 37-60-303, ARM 24.182.501) official source
State feeUSD 80.00 (private security guard application fee, non-refundable (board guard page)); USD 160.00 (renewal (guard page lists 'Renewal: $160.00'); late renewal fee USD 80.00); USD 50 (Armed Endorsement for Guards) official source
Renewalnot stated as a number of years; the board lists the renewal period as 1 January to 1 March official source

Official Montana application page

Checked against official Montana 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 Montana

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