How to get a security guard license in Texas

Texas licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Noncommissioned security officer individual license (the officer must be employed by a company license holder; Occ. Code 1702.221), issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (administers Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702, private security).

Licensing agencyTexas Department of Public Safety (administers Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702, private security) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsNoncommissioned security officer individual license (the officer must be employed by a company license holder; Occ. Code 1702.221) official source
Credential for armed guardsSecurity officer commission, required to carry a firearm on duty (Occ. Code 1702.161); a commissioned officer who does personal protection also needs a personal protection individual license (1702.221(d)) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (Occ. Code 1702.229 applies the 1702.113 company/commission qualifications, including age 18, to individual licences) official source
Minimum age, armed18 (Occ. Code 1702.113: applicant for a security officer commission must be at least 18) official source
Training, armedBasic training course of at least 30 hours (general security, classroom handgun proficiency and self-defense, range), including 10 to 15 hours of in-person handgun instruction; plus an exam, marksmanship and the MMPI psychological test (Occ. Code 1702.1675, 1702.163). official source
Background checkYes: fingerprints and a criminal history check by DPS including FBI records (Occ. Code 1702.230, 1702.282) official source
RenewalUp to 2 years: an individual license expires on a date set by rule, not later than the second anniversary of issue (Occ. Code 1702.301) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes, conditionally (not armed): the application must be substantially complete before employment; if DPS has not posted the applicant's status within 48 hours after fingerprints are submitted, the applicant may start once the employer checks the DPS public website (no disqualifying criminal history, not a registered sex offender) and keeps a copy (Occ. Code 1702.230(c), (f)) official source

Checked against official Texas 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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