GuardlanternSecurity guard requirements by state
Most states require security guards to hold a state license or registration, but 18 don't license individual unarmed guards statewide. Minimum wage runs from the federal $7.25 to over $17.00, 3 states require daily overtime, and 20 states plus DC require paid sick leave. This table summarizes every state with its agency and official source; Guardlantern applies the same rules to each company based on its state.
Full guides
- New York security guard requirements
- California security guard requirements
- Texas security guard requirements
- Florida security guard requirements
- New Jersey security guard requirements
Every state
| State | Guard license | Minimum wage today | Daily overtime | Paid sick leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Security Guard license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Alaska | Security Guard License | $14.00 → $15.00 (July 1, 2027) | After 8 h | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Arizona | Security Guard Registration | $15.15 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Arkansas | Private Security Officer | $11.00 | — | — |
| California Guide | Security Guard Registration (guard card) | $16.90 → $17.40 (January 1, 2027) | After 8 h | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Colorado | No statewide individual license | $15.16 | After 12 h | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Connecticut | Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card | $16.94 → $17.48 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Delaware | Private Security Guard License | $15.00 | — | — |
| District of Columbia | Security Officer | $18.40 | — | Yes (1 h per 37 h) |
| Florida Guide | Class D Security Officer License | $15.00 | — | — |
| Georgia | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Hawaii | Guard Employee Registration | $16.00 | — | — |
| Idaho | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Illinois | Permanent Employee Registration Card | $15.00 | — | Yes (1 h per 40 h) |
| Indiana | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Iowa | Employee identification card | $7.25 | — | — |
| Kansas | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Kentucky | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Louisiana | Security Officer Registration Card | $7.25 | — | — |
| Maine | No statewide individual license | $15.10 → $15.70 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 40 h) |
| Maryland | Security Guard Certification | $15.00 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Massachusetts | No statewide individual license | $15.00 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Michigan | No statewide individual license | $13.73 → $15.00 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Minnesota | No statewide individual license | $11.41 → $11.87 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Mississippi | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Missouri | No statewide individual license | $15.00 | — | — |
| Montana | Private Security Guard license | $10.85 → $11.20 (January 1, 2027) | — | — |
| Nebraska | No statewide individual license | $15.00 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Nevada | Registered work card | $12.00 | Conditional | Yes (1 h per 52 h) |
| New Hampshire | Security Guard license | $7.25 | — | — |
| New Jersey Guide | SORA registration | $15.92 → $16.48 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| New Mexico | Security Guard Level One registration | $12.00 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| New York Guide | Security Guard Registration | $16.00–$17.00 by region | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| North Carolina | Unarmed Guard registration | $7.25 | — | — |
| North Dakota | Security officer registration | $7.25 | — | — |
| Ohio | Security guard employee registration | $11.00 → $11.40 (January 1, 2027) | — | — |
| Oklahoma | Unarmed Security Guard license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Oregon | Unarmed Private Security Professional certification | $15.55 | — | Yes (1 h per 30 h) |
| Pennsylvania | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Rhode Island | No statewide individual license | $16.00 → $17.00 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 35 h) |
| South Carolina | Security Officer Registration Certificate | $7.25 | — | — |
| South Dakota | No statewide individual license | $11.85 | — | — |
| Tennessee | Unarmed Guard Registration | $7.25 | — | — |
| Texas Guide | Noncommissioned Security Officer License | $7.25 | — | — |
| Utah | Unarmed Private Security Officer license | $7.25 | — | — |
| Vermont | Registered Security Employee | $14.42 | — | Yes (1 h per 52 h) |
| Virginia | Unarmed Security Officer/Courier Registration | $12.77 → $13.75 (January 1, 2027) | — | — |
| Washington | Private Security Guard License | $17.13 → $17.73 (January 1, 2027) | — | Yes (1 h per 40 h) |
| West Virginia | No statewide individual license | $8.75 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | Private Security Person Permit | $7.25 | — | — |
| Wyoming | No statewide individual license | $7.25 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
Which states do not require a state security guard license?
18 states do not license individual unarmed guards statewide: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming. Some cities and counties do.
Which states require daily overtime?
Alaska, California, Colorado require overtime by the day as well as after 40 hours a week. Nevada's daily overtime applies only to employees paid under $18.00 an hour.
Which states require paid sick leave?
20 states and DC have a statewide law: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet.
Guardlantern applies your state’s rules: licenses, training, minimum wage, overtime and agency reports.