How to get a security guard license in Vermont

Vermont licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Registered Security Guard (employee/registrant) registration; the higher tier is Licensed Security Guard (qualifying agent) licence, issued by the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Private Investigative and Security Services (26 V.S.A. Chapter 59).

Licensing agencyVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Private Investigative and Security Services (26 V.S.A. Chapter 59) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsRegistered Security Guard (employee/registrant) registration; the higher tier is Licensed Security Guard (qualifying agent) licence official source
Credential for armed guardsArmed registration/licence (armed specialty designation with firearms training from an OPR-approved provider and FBI background check) official source
Training, unarmedRegistered security guards (employees): 8-hour approved training program before registration. Licensed security guards (qualifying agents): 40-hour approved training before licensure. CPR certification within 2 years before applying and before renewal official source
Background checkYes: Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) background check on every applicant; FBI check for armed official source
State feeUSD 70 application / USD 95 renewal (Registered Investigative/Security Employee, unarmed (OPR fee chart updated 7/1/2025)); USD 140 application / USD 150 renewal (Registered Investigative/Security Employee, armed); USD 175 application / USD 140 renewal (Licensed Private Investigator/Security Guard (qualifying agent), unarmed; armed USD 230 application / USD 205 renewal) official source
Renewal2 years (biennial renewal, per the OPR fee chart via search tool) official source

Checked against official Vermont 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 Vermont

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