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
For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.
All applicants are REQUIRED to sign and date the FBI PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THEIR FINGERPRINTS
Generally, a security system technician is a person who is registered to personally provide security systems services. Security systems services include providing on a person's residence or commercial property the service of three things:
- surveying the property for purposes of installing a security system,
- physically installing, maintaining, or repairing a security system, or
- responding to a distress call or an alarm sounding from a security system.
Who Should Apply?
You may apply for a Security Systems Registrant License if you are a person who seeks to engage, or solicits to engage, in the business of providing security system services in the State of Maryland.
The individual for whom the License is sought shall be:
- of good moral character, reputation and qualification; and
- at least 18 years old.
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police application for Security Systems Registrant License can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal. Please answer all questions accurately, completely and honestly. Once completed, the application will be submitted electronically in the Licensing Portal.
Please allow 90 business days for the completion of the application process.
If the Licensing Division does not receive the renewal application, satisfactorily completed, by the expiration date, the applicant must begin as a new applicant and complete all requirements necessary for an initial application.
All original and renewal applications require FBI and CJIS fingerprint submissions. CJIS requires that any ink fingerprint card submission must be completed on their CJIS-015 (revised: 09/2020) purple fingerprint cards. Additionally, applicants must upload a passport style photograph of applicant in the Licensing Portal.
Application Fees
Application fees will be collected electronically in the Licensing Portal.
Acceptable forms of payment include Visa and MasterCard.
Initial Out of State – Total $45.00
Initial In State – Total $15.00
An application fee of $15.00 is required for each initial application if the submitter is not a unit of the State. A separate fee of $30.00 is required to cover the cost of processing fingerprint cards from out of state Registrant License holders only. As of April 15th 2012 everyone in the State of Maryland must submit electronic fingerprints. Therefore, any MD resident will only submit the Application fee of $15.00 and the receipt for having their electronic fingerprints taken. The fees are non-refundable. If electronic fingerprints are obtained /submitted for the application, the fingerprint fee is paid directly to the private provider taking the electronic fingerprints. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT TO THE STATE POLICE FOR FINGERPRINTS IF THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND SUBMITTED BY WAY OF AN AUTHORIZED PRIVATE PROVIDER OR THE MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION.
Out of State Renewal – Total $45.00
In State renewal- $15.00
An application fee of $15.00 is required for each renewal application if the submitter is not a unit of the State. A separate fee of $30.00 is required to cover the cost of processing fingerprint cards for out of state applicants. The fees are non-refundable. If electronic fingerprints are obtained /submitted for the application, the fingerprint fee is paid directly to the entity taking the electronic fingerprints. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT TO THE STATE POLICE FOR FINGERPRINTS IF THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND SUBMITTED BY A WAY OF AN AUTHORIZED PRIVATE PROVIDER OR THE MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION.
For a complete list of MSP application fees, please see the Licensing Division Fee Schedule.
Application fees are non-refundable.
When Should I Renew?
Initial license expire three (3) years after its date of issuance and upon the end of the term of the license, the license is renewable for a three (3) year term if:
The Secretary shall receive the renewal application at least 90 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 complete renewal application is not received 30 days before the license expiration date, a fee of $5.00 per day shall be charged against the registrant up to a maximum of 30 days or $150.00 at which time the registrant shall be considered canceled
Frequently Asked Questions
