How to get a security guard license in North Carolina

North Carolina licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Unarmed Security Guard Registration (registration card, applied for by the employing licensee), issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Private Protective Services Board (Private Protective Services Section), under N.C.G.S. Chapter 74C.

Licensing agencyNorth Carolina Department of Public Safety, Private Protective Services Board (Private Protective Services Section), under N.C.G.S. Chapter 74C official source
Credential for unarmed guardsUnarmed Security Guard Registration (registration card, applied for by the employing licensee) official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed Security Guard Registration (firearms registration card) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (PPS Registration Procedures Manual: 'Must be 18 years of age') official source
Minimum age, armed21 (PPS Registration Procedures Manual: armed registrations must be 21 years of age) official source
Training, unarmed16 hours (16-hour unarmed security guard course): the first 4 hours within the first 20 days of probationary or regular employment, the remaining 12 hours within the first 30 days of regular employment; the certificate must be dated less than one year before the registration application official source
Training, armed20-hour armed security guard course (certificate dated less than 90 days before the application) in addition to the 16-hour unarmed course; annual firearms requalification official source
Background checkYes: FD-258 fingerprint card mailed to the Board with each new registration, plus a 60-month online criminal history record check from CRC.com dated within 60 days; renewals need a 12-month CRC check, no new fingerprints official source
State feeUSD 30 + USD 38 (new unarmed guard: USD 30 application fee + USD 38 fingerprint fee (Board page); the Board FAQ also states 'USD 68, plus processing'); USD 30 (unarmed renewal application fee; USD 25 late fee within 90 days after expiry); USD 45 + USD 38 (new armed guard application + fingerprint fee); USD 15 / USD 45 (unarmed transfer only / transfer and renew) official source
Renewal1 year (PPS Registration Procedures Manual: renewal = registration that expires a year from the date of issuance; confirm) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes for unarmed guards: licensees may employ an unarmed guard as a probationary employee for 20 consecutive calendar days, and must register the guard within 30 days after probation ends; probationary employees are listed on a probationary roster official source

Official North Carolina application page

Checked against official North Carolina 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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