Effective 1/1/2025, all Professional Licensing applications (including Security Guard, Private Detective, Security System Technician, Special Police, Railroad Police, Security Guard Agency, Security Guard Employer, Private Detective Agency, Dual Agency, Security Systems Agency and Bullet Proof Body Armor) and application fees shall be submitted electronically in the Licensing Portal. Additional information, issued Advisories, training videos and a registration link for virtual training can be found on the Security Guard page at the following link: Security Guard
Application Process Changes/Updates
- January 2025 - provisions of Senate Bill 760 (2023) and Senate Bill 729 (2024) take effect. Additional information and a complete copy of the bills can be found on the Security Guard page.
- January 2025 - All Professional Licensing applications are converted from a paper application submission process and fee collection to an electronic submission and fee collection process in the Licensing Portal.
A Security Guard Agency is an individual or firm that conducts a business that provides Security Guard services and must be licensed by the Maryland State Police. Security guard services include any activity that is performed for compensation as a security guard to protect any individual or property, except the activities of an individual while performing as:
- a marine guard or ship watchman, regardless of whether the guard or watchman is stationed aboard a ship or on a pier;
- a special police officer appointed and while performing under Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article or § 16–16 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City; or
- an unarmed employee of a bar, tavern, or restaurant.
The license must be issued prior to the individual or firm providing Security Guard services in the State of Maryland.
Qualifications For Licensure as a Security Guard Agency
An applicant must be of good character and reputation. If the applicant is a firm, each firm member shall be of good character and reputation. The individual or firm representative shall be at least 25 years old. All applicants shall meet the required experience as follows:
- at least 5 years of experience as a full-time certified or licensed private detective; OR
- 5 years of experience as a full-time police officer with an organized police agency; and completed successfully a police officer training course that is recognized and approved by the Maryland Police Training Commission; OR
- at least 3 years of experience in an investigative capacity as a detective while serving as a police officer with an organized police agency; OR
- 3 years of experience in an investigative capacity in any unit of the United States, of the State, or of a county or municipal corporation of the State for the purpose of law enforcement; and completed successfully the police officer training required by the Maryland Police Training Commission; OR
- 5 years of experience as a full-time fire investigator for a fire department or law enforcement agency of the State or of a county or municipal corporation of the State; and completed successfully the training certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission or the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission; OR
- 5 years of experience as a full-time correctional supervisor, ranked LT and above, in a correctional facility in the state; and completed successfully the training required by the correctional training commission
Prerequisites for Licensure as a Security Guard Agency
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police application for Security Guard Agency licensure can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal. Applicants for Security Guard Agency licensure will be required to submit the above prerequisites and required documentation.
Application Process
Once a Security Guard Agency applicant has submitted Livescan fingerprints and has compiled the required documentation, they should access the
Licensing Portal and begin the Security Guard Agency application.
Applicants who do not have a Licensing Portal account will be required to create one in order to access the Security Guard Agency application.
You are required to have your own personal account in the Licensing Portal. Do Not Share Your Portal Account with anyone - there are specific details tied to the expiration of YOUR licenses and YOUR demographic information. Once you have created your account, you will be able to login and start your Security Guard Agency application. Upon completing the application and uploading the required documents, you will electronically submit the application along with the required fees to the Licensing Division.
The Licensing Division will review the application for completion and accept all complete applications. Should an application not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance, the application will be sent back to the applicant for corrections. After the corrections have been made, the application can be resubmitted for review and acceptance.
Accepted applications will be submitted into the queue for a criminal history background investigation to be completed on the applicant. During the course of this investigation, the applicant may be contacted by a background investigator to schedule an interview if necessary.
Once the background investigation is complete, the Licensing Division will render a final disposition on the application and the applicant will be notified via email of the final disposition. If the notification email states that the final disposition is Not Disapproved then your Security Guard Agency application has been approved. If the notification email states your final disposition is disapproved you may contact the Maryland State Police Licensing Division for more information regarding the Disapproval and appeals process. The applicant for a Security Guard Agency may log into their Licensing Portal to view the current status of their application.
Please allow 90 days for completion of the application process.
When Should I Renew
A Security Guard Agency License expires three (3) years after its date of issuance and upon the date the Secretary of State Police sets. Licenses are staggered resulting in expiration in either January or July depending on the date of initial application. The license may be renewed for an additional 3-year term.
The Licensing Division will electronically send the licensee a notice of license expiration at least 90 days prior to expiration. The renewal notice will include:
A notice that states:
- the date on which the current license expires;
- that the Secretary must receive the renewal application and the statements required under § 13-309 of this subtitle, at least 15 days before the license expiration date, for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires;
- the amount of the renewal fee;
- that, if the statements required under § 13-309 of this subtitle are not received at least 15 days before the license expiration date, a fee of $10 per day shall be charged against the licensee until the statements are received; and
- that the submission of a false statement in the renewal application or in the annual statements is cause for revocation of the license.
The renewal application must be received by the Maryland State Police at least 15 days prior to the expiration date.
Application Fees
Application fees will be collected electronically in the Licensing Portal.
Acceptable forms of payment include Visa and MasterCard.
The fee for an initial application is $200 for an individual (unincorporated) and $375 for a firm (incorporated). The fee for a renewal application is $200 for an individual and $400 for a firm. Additional fees and fines may apply.
For a complete list of MSP application fees, please see the Licensing Division Fee Schedule.
Application fees are non-refundable.
To access a list of Active Security Guard Agencies please click here. If you believe that any of the information within the Security Guard Listing is inaccurate please contact the Professional Licensing Unit at the email address below.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS MAY BE EMAILED TO THE LICENSING DIVISION PROFESSIONAL LICENSING UNIT
Frequently Asked Questions
