How to get a security guard license in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Apprentice Security Officer registration (entry level); employees of a licensed agency register as apprentice security officer, security officer or commissioned security officer, issued by the North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board (NDCC chapter 43-30; N.D. Admin. Code chapter 93-02-02.1).

Licensing agencyNorth Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board (NDCC chapter 43-30; N.D. Admin. Code chapter 93-02-02.1) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsApprentice Security Officer registration (entry level); employees of a licensed agency register as apprentice security officer, security officer or commissioned security officer official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed private security certificate (requires at least the rank of security officer and North Dakota peace-officer-equivalent firearms training) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18, and a high school graduate or equivalent (93-02-02.1-01) official source
Training, unarmedApprentice: within 30 days of registration, at least 12 hours of classroom instruction (in person, live remote or online) or 12 hours of supervised field training. Security officer rank later needs 1,000 hours of service as an apprentice plus 32 more classroom hours (military service deemed to meet the 1,000 hours) official source
Training, armedSame firearms training as North Dakota peace officers plus written exam and shooting course; hour count not stated in the rule text read official source
Background checkYes: fingerprint cards (provided by the Board free), BCI and FBI records search; a provisional registration card is issued once the agency submits a clear North Dakota BCI record with application, prints and fees official source
Renewal1 year: licences and registrations expire on 30 September each year; armed certifications are renewed annually and also expire on 30 September (Board Application Forms page) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes in part: a provisional registration card is issued once the agency submits a clear ND BCI record with application, prints and fees, replaced by a permanent card after federal and state records come back (Board FAQ) official source

Official North Dakota application page

Checked against official North Dakota 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 North Dakota

22 listings right now: see all.