How to get a security guard license in Utah

Utah licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Unarmed Private Security Officer license, issued by the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Security Personnel Licensing Act (Utah Code Title 58 Chapter 63).

Licensing agencyUtah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Security Personnel Licensing Act (Utah Code Title 58 Chapter 63) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsUnarmed Private Security Officer license official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed Private Security Officer license (an armed licence also covers unarmed work) official source
Training, unarmedDOPL-approved basic training course of 8 hours, with an exam score certified by an authorized trainer on the application official source
Training, armed8-hour basic course plus a DOPL-approved 12-hour firearm course (classroom and range); renewal needs 16 hours of firearm training in addition to 32 hours of CE, with at least 4 hours of firearm training every six months official source
Background checkYes: Live Scan fingerprints for a fingerprint-based check through Utah BCI and the FBI (vendor details emailed after a complete application); any felony conviction not legally expunged makes the applicant ineligible official source
State feeUSD 95.00 (non-refundable application-processing fee payable to DOPL (security officer application, version v20261002); renewal fee is on the DOPL fee schedule (not read)); no charge (interim permit) official source
Renewal2-year cycle: security officer licences are renewed by 30 November of even years; 32 hours of continuing education per renewal (armed: plus 16 hours of firearm training) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes, with an interim permit: issued free, usually within two business days after fingerprints, valid 90 days, if the applicant submits a BCI 'Right of Access' report showing no criminal record and answers no to all qualifying questions official source

Official Utah application page

Checked against official Utah 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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