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 - 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.
Who Should Apply
A Security Systems Agency License is required in Maryland for any individual or firm, who wishes to engage in the business of providing security systems services in the State. Security systems services includes, providing on a person's residence or commercial property, the following services:
- surveying the property for the purposes of installing a security system
- physically installing, maintaining, or repairing a security system for a customer
- responding to a distress call or an alarm from a security system
Qualifications For Licensure as a Security Systems AgencyAn applicant may be either an individual or a firm. The individual or firm representative shall be at least 18 years old and of good moral character and reputation.
Prerequisites for Licensure as a Security Systems Agency
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police application for Security Systems Agency licensure can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal. Applicants for Security Systems Agency licensure will be required to submit the above prerequisites and required documentation.
Application Process
Once a Security
Systems Agency applicant has submitted Livescan fingerprints and has compiled the required documentation, they should access the
Licensing Portal and begin the Security
Systems Agency application.
Applicants who do not have a Licensing Portal account will be required to create one in order to access the Security Systems 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 Systems 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 approved, your Security Systems Agency application has been approved and you will receive your certification in the mail within 14 days. 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 Systems Agency may log into their Licensing Portal to view the current status of their application at any time.
Please allow 90 days for completion of the application process.
When Should I Renew
A Security Systems 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 30 days prior to expiration. The renewal notice will state:
- the date on which the current license expires;
- if the completed renewal application and proof of insurance or bonding as required in § 18-401 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, are not received at least 15 days before the license expiration date, a fee of $25 per day shall be charged against the agency until the day the license expires, at which time the agency shall be considered closed;
- the amount of the renewal fee;
- that an agency may not be issued a Security Systems Agency license until all outstanding obligations are satisfied with the Secretary; 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.
Original/Initial - (with Livescan fingerprint receipt): $100
Original/Initial - (with ink fingerprint cards): $130 - includes CJIS and FBI background investigation fees
Renewal - (with Livescan fingerprint receipt): $100
Renewal - (with ink fingerprint cards): $130 - includes CJIS and FBI background investigation fees.
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.
How Long is the Application Process
APPLICANT - After all perquisites have been completed, the Security Systems Agency application can be completed in the Licensing Portal within 45 minutes - 1 hour.
PROCESSING TIME - Once the Licensing Division electronically receives and accepts the completed Security Systems Agency application and the required application fee, the applicant will be notified of the final disposition within 90 days.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS - Applications received by the Licensing Division will typically be reviewed for completeness within 5-10 business days. Applicants who submitted incomplete applications will be notified of the status of their application via email within 5 business days of the review.
Frequently Asked Questions
