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 Technician License is required in Maryland for any individual who wishes to personally provide 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 TechnicianAn applicant shall be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.
Prerequisites for Licensure as a Security Systems Technician
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police application for Security Systems Technician can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal. Applicants for Security Systems Technician will be required to submit the above prerequisites and required documentation.
Application Process
Once a
Security Systems Technician applicant has submitted Livescan fingerprints, they should access the
Licensing Portal and begin the application for
Security Systems Technician.
Applicants who do not have a Licensing Portal account will be required to create one in order to access the Security Systems Technician 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 Technician application. Upon completing and submitting the applicant portion of the Security Systems Technician application, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number. Both the application number and PIN number will be required by your Security Systems Agency.
You will need to provide your Agency with certain information for them to access your application via the Licensing Portal. The Agency will access the Security Systems Technician application and verify the identity of the applicant, the application data entered, reaffirm the application questions with the applicant and 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 or agency 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 Technician 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 Technician 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 Technician Certification expires three (3) years after its date of issuance and upon the date the Secretary of State Police sets. By regulation, the Secretary shall stagger the terms of the certification. The license may be renewed for an additional 3-year term.
The renewal process is the responsibility of the applicant and should be started no less than 90 business days from expiration of the license. Timely renewal is the responsibility of the license holder.
The Security Systems Technician Certification renewal application and any required documentation must be submitted via the Licensing Portal at least 90 business days before a certification expires.
if a complete renewal application is not received by the State Police at least 30 calendar days before the certification expires, the State Police will assess a late fee of $5 per day until the application is received by the State Police. The maximum late fee shall not exceed $150.
Prerequisites for Renewal
Security Systems Technician Certification Renewal applications require:
- a properly completed renewal application
- Livescan fingerprints (or ink rolled fingerprint cards for out-of-state applicants)
- the renewal fee
- any applicable late fees
Renewal Application Process
The Security Systems Technician Certification renewal application process closely mirrors the original application process. The applicant will log into their Licensing Portal account and begin the Application for Security Systems Technician Certification. The applicant should select RENEWAL as the type of application. The Licensing Portal The system will recognize that the applicant has a current Security Systems Technician Certification and adjust the application accordingly.
Upon completing and submitting the applicant portion of the Security Systems Technician Certification renewal application, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number. Both the application number and PIN number will be required by your Security Systems Agency.
You will need to provide your Agency with certain information for them to access your application via the Licensing Portal. The Agency will access the Security Systems Technician Certification renewal application and verify the identity of the applicant, the application data entered, reaffirm the application questions with the applicant and 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. Applications that are incomplete or missing required information and/or documentation will be sent back to the applicant for corrections. Corrected applications can be resubmitted for acceptance by the Licensing Division. Accepted applications will have a criminal history background check completed and a final disposition assigned as outlined above in the APPLICATION PROCESS section.
Please allow 90 days for completion of the renewal application process
IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING SECURITY SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN RENEWALS
Renewal applicants must be entitled to be certified. If a prohibiting conviction or event has occurred since receiving the previous license, the renewal will not be granted.
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): $15
Original/Initial - (with ink fingerprint cards): $45 - includes CJIS and FBI background investigation fees
Renewal - (with Livescan fingerprint receipt): $15
Renewal - (with ink fingerprint cards): $45 - 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 - Once fingerprints have been completed, the Security Systems Technician application can be completed in the Licensing Portal within 30-60 minutes. Renewal applications can be completed in the Licensing Portal within 15-30 minutes.
SECURITY SYSTEMS AGENCY - The verification of applicant's identity, review of the application and documentation, and submission of the application fees can be completed in the Licensing Portal within 10-20 minutes.
LICENSING DIVISION PROCESSING TIME - Once the Licensing Division electronically receives the completed Security Systems Technician application and the required fees, 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.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS MAY BE EMAILED TO THE LICENSING DIVISION PROFESSIONAL LICENSING UNIT
Frequently Asked Questions
