Security Guard/Special Police Employer
A security guard / special police employer (SG/SPOE) is a person who employs security guards or special police only to provide security guard services to the person. A security gurard employer does not include:
a security guard agency
a video lottery operator, as defined under § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article
a sports wagering facility licensee, as defined under § 9–1E–01 of the State Government Article
a health care facility, as defined under § 19–114 of the Health – General Article
Process updates/changes
- 1/1/2025 - Senate Bill 760 2023 - PDF - 254.39 KB mandating Security Guard Training, creating Security Guard Employers and establishing reporting requirements.
Who should apply
- An individual or business who wishes to employ security guards or special police officers to provide security guard services for the individual or business. 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 watchmen stationed on a ship or a pier;
- a special police officer appointed and performing duties under Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article or § 16–16A of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City; or
- an unarmed employee of a bar, tavern, or restaurant.
- Security guard employers are not security guard agencies. Security guard agencies require a security guard agency license and offer security guard services to other businesses. Security guard employers can only employ security guards or special police officers to protect themselves or their property.
Pre-registration requirements
- Obtain commercial general liability insurance, as required under § 19–504 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article in the amount of:
- $500,000 total aggregate minimum if employing fewer than 5 security guards, or
- $1,000,000 total aggregate minimum if employing 5 or more security guards
How to register
Security guard / special police employer registration in the licensing portal is requried. Registration allows for access to the security guard / special police employer licensing portal interface where the SG/SPOE can submit security guard or special police officer applications for their employees.
- Create or log into your existing Licensing Portal account.
- Complete all Security Guard/Special Police Employer registration requirements in the Licensing Portal.
- Upload the pre-registration requirements and any additional documentation to the document section of the application.
- Submit the registration to the Maryland State Police.
Please allow 90 days for completion of the application process.
Application fees
There is no fee for this registration.
Application timeline
- Applicant: The registration can be completed within 10-20 minutes.
- Licensing Division processing time: Registration is considered complete once the once submitted to the licensing division.
- Incomplete registration: Registration forms received by the Licensing Division will be reviewed for completeness within 5-10 business days. Registrants who submitted an incomplete registration will be notified via email within 5 business days of the review. Failure to respond within 15 days may result in the registration being cancelled.
Statutes
The Maryland Security Guards Act is codified as Title 19 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Current versions of any statute can be found at LexisNexis or on the Maryland General Assembly's website.