Security Systems Technician License
Security systems technician registration is required before personally providing security systems services on residential or commercial property in the State, including:
- 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.
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.
Qualifications
An applicant must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.
Pre-application requirements
- Fingerprints:
- Maryland Residents: Submit Livescan fingerprints to the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the FBI. Authorized Livescan vendors can be found at Fingerprinting Services. Below is the information that you will need to provide to the Livescan technician for fingerprinting:
Give your LiveScan fingerprinting technician the following information:
Agency Authorization Number: 9700004860
Agency ORI Number: MDMSP6000
Reason Fingerprinted: MD Business Occupations and Professions Sections 18-101 through 18-701 &18-3A
Livescan fingerprints are only valid for 30 days from the date that they were submitted to CJIS and the FBI. Your Security Systems Technician application must be submitted to the Maryland State Police within this 30-day period or new Livescan fingerprints will be required.
- Non-Maryland Residents: If the applicant is not a resident of Maryland, please email the Professional Licensing Unit to obtain the appropriate fingerprint cards and instructions for submission;
Applicants must sign and date the FBI Privacy Act Statement - PDF - 620.12 KB before submitting their fingerprints.
- A digital color passport style photograph taken within 30 days prior to the date that you submit the application.
How to apply
- Create or log into your existing Maryland Licensing Portal account.
- Complete all application requirements in the Licensing Portal.
- Upload the pre-application requirements and any additional documentation to the document section of the application.
- Once submitted, you’ll receive an email with the application number and PIN.
Note: Your employing agency will need this to access and complete your application.
- Your employing agency will review your application, confirm your information and submit the application along with the required fees.
- The Licensing Division will review your application for completion, complete a background investigation, and may contact you for an interview.
- Within 90 days, you’ll receive an email confirming whether you’re approved or disapproved.
- If your application is approved, you will receive your certification via the US mail. Your certification is valid for 3 years from the year of issuance.
- If your application is disapproved, you’ll need to contact the Licensing Division for more information.
Please allow 90 business days for completion of the application process.
Renewal
To renew your security system technician registration, you must submit an application through the Licensing Portal at least 90 days before your current certification expires. You must include the following information:
- A properly completed renewal application
- Livescan fingerprint receipt taken within 30 days prior to renewal application submission
- Non-Maryland Residents should email the Professional Licensing Unit to obtain the appropriate fingerprint cards and instructions for submission
- Renewal application fee of $15.00
- Any applicable late fees
- To avoid late fees, the renewal application must be received at least 30 days before expiration.
Application fees
Acceptable methods of payment include Visa or MasterCard. Application fees are non-refundable.
All application fees are collected electronically in the Licensing Portal. Application fees do not include fingerprint fees.
Original application: $15.00
Renewal application: $15.00
Renewal Late Fee: $5.00 per day *
Ink Fingerprint Cards (Non-MD Residents): $30.00
* Renewal late fees begin if the renewal application is not received at least 30-days prior to the expiration date. Late fees accumulate to a maximum of $150.00. The Licensing Division may not certify any applicant that has outstanding late fee obligations.
Application timeline
- Applicant: Once the above pre-application requirements have been satisfied, the initial application can be completed within 30-60 minutes. Renewal applications can be completed within 15-30 minutes.
- Security Systems Agency: Verification of applicant's identity, review of the application and documentation, and submission of the application and fees can be completed within 10-20 minutes.
- Licensing Division Processing Time: Once the completed application and the required fees are received, the applicant will be notified of the decision within 90 days.
- Incomplete Applications: Applications received by the Licensing Division will be reviewed for completeness within 5-10 business days. Applicants who submitted incomplete applications will be notified via email within 5 business days of the review. Failure to respond within 15 days will result in the application being cancelled.
Statutes
The laws regarding Maryland Special Police Officers are codified in Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety 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.
Advisories & Documents
Visit the archive section to download any prior Advisories and documents.