Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing
The Security Guard and Private Investigator Licensing Unit oversees the licensing, regulation, and compliance of security guards, security agencies, private investigators, investigative agencies, and certified trainers. The Unit also receives and reviews public complaints, ensuring all regulated entities operate in accordance with applicable statutes and administrative rules.
Check Your License Status Here
For Technical Support on the Public Services Portal (PSP) for Fingerprints, Licensing, or Records, please contact (602) 223-2999 and select option 8, or email them at [email protected].
UPDATE
Licenses and registration certificates received BEFORE September 26, 2025, are valid for a two-year term. In accordance with recent legislation, licenses and registration certificates received ON OR AFTER September 26, 2025, are valid for a four-year term. The expiration date is indicated on the identification card or license.
Click here for all Licensing Forms
Who is required to be licensed?
"Private security guard service" means any agency, individual, or employer in the business of furnishing to the public for hire, fee or reward dogs, watchmen, patrol service, private security guards, or other persons to protect human life or to prevent the theft or the misappropriation or concealment of goods, wares, merchandise, money, bonds, stocks, notes, chose in action or other property, valuable documents, papers and articles of value. A.R.S. § 32-2601-16
Precluding Offenses
Precluding offenses for security guard registrations per A.R.S. § 32-2622
FBI Background Checks
The applicant's fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI. The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or update of your criminal history record are set forth in 28 CFR 16.34
Agency Name
You need to get approval of your agency name through the DPS Licensing Unit before contacting the Arizona Corporation Commission or the Arizona Secretary of State. The Licensing Unit’s standards for name approval are more stringent than other state agencies, and the Licensing Unit must consider other factors before approving your agency name per AAC R13-6-207.
Selecting your agency name and associates: Instructions for choosing your agency name are listed here.
Qualifications of Licensee
A Security Guard agency license is issued to an individual who is the Qualifying Party (QP), regardless of the agency structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation). The Qualifying Party is sometimes called the Licensee per A.R.S. § 32-2612.
Agency Associates
Per AAC R13-6-102, the following must apply to be an agency associate:
- Each partner, officer, director, member, and manager
- Corporation: Each corporate officer
- Partnership: Partners other than the Qualifying Party
Liability and Worker's Compensation Insurance
Do not purchase or submit evidence of your liability and workers' compensation policy until your company has received notification from the Licensing Unit that your agency is approved.
General Liability Insurance
As required by A.R.S. § 32-2613(C)(2) and AAC R13-6-202(A)(2). Once you receive such notification (and before the agency license is issued), you must submit a valid insurance certificate that indicates proof of general liability insurance, issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in Arizona, in the amount of $100,000 for each occurrence, and an aggregate total of at least $300,000.
Workers' Compensation
As required by A.R.S. § 32-2613(C)(3) and AAC R13-6-202(A)(3), each agency is required to have valid Workers' Compensation insurance, issued by a company authorized to conduct business in Arizona.
Uniforms and Vehicles
A.R.S. § 32-2635 Uniform and Insignia
AAC R13-6-501 Uniforms and Vehicles
Who is required to be licensed
"A person shall not act or attempt to act as a private investigator or represent that the person is a private investigator unless the person is registered as a private investigator pursuant to this chapter and is acting within the scope of the person’s employment for an agency that is licensed pursuant to article 2 of this chapter."
A person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A.R.S. § 32-2411
Precluding offenses for obtaining a private investigator license or registration
Precluding offenses for private investigator employee registrations can be found in A.R.S. § 32-2441
FBI Background Checks
The applicant's fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI. The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or update of your criminal history record are set forth in 28 CFR 16.34
Qualifications of Licensee
A Private Investigation agency license is issued to an individual who is the Qualifying Party (QP), regardless of the agency structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation). The Qualifying Party is sometimes called the Licensee per A.R.S. § 32-2422.
Surety Bonds and Worker's Compensation Insurance
Surety Bonds
As required by A.R.S. § 32-2423(B)(1), each agency is required to have a valid surety bond. Before the issuance of an original or renewal agency license, the applicant shall provide to the department: A four-year (4) surety bond in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars.
Workers' Compensation
As required by A.R.S. § 32-2423(B)(2) and AAC R13-6-203(A)(3), each agency is required to have valid Workers' Compensation insurance, issued by a company authorized to conduct business in Arizona.
Who is required to be registered?
You must be registered as a general instructor and/or firearms safety instructor to provide general unarmed or firearms safety training to applicants or current security guards.
- Until you are registered by DPS, you cannot provide any of the required training to any applicants or security guards.
- Instructors from other states are not recognized in Arizona.
Guard Training Requirements
As required by A.R.S. §§ 32-2613 and 32-2632, training must be provided to Security Guards (currently certified AZ peace officers are exempt from training requirements). A copy of the 8-Hour Required SG Curriculum is available by contacting the Licensing Unit. The curriculum of your training program must cover:
- Orientation
- Criminal Law
- Uniform
- Communications
- Use of Force
- General Procedures
- Crime Scene
- Ethics
- First Response
**Armed guards must additionally complete the DPS-approved 16-Hour Firearms Training Course for Armed Guards.
Authorized Instructors
The Qualifying Party must designate, in writing, which registered unarmed general training Instructor(s) the agency will utilize. These registered unarmed general training instructors shall conduct the required eight-hour unarmed pre-assignment training class. The registered unarmed training instructors are the only individuals who are authorized to sign the Security Guard Training Verification Forms for the required training. These registered unarmed general training instructors must be registered by the Licensing Unit before conducting any training.
If the agency is going to hire and/or train armed security guards, then the Qualifying Party must designate, in writing, which registered firearm-safety Instructor(s) the agency will utilize. This registered firearm safety instructor (s) shall conduct the required sixteen-hour initial armed training class and the yearly eight-hour armed refresher classes. The registered firearm safety instructors are the only individuals who are authorized to sign the Armed Security Guard Training Verification Forms for the required training. These registered firearms safety training instructors must be registered by the Licensing Unit before conducting any training.
The written authorization to DPS must include a signature sample with the printed name, as signatures are often illegible. These authorizations and sample signatures are retained in the agency file.
Resources for:
- Active Duty Services Members
- Military Spouses
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Veterans
Eligibility Information:
In accordance with A.R.S. § 41-1080.01 “A except for an individual who applies for a license pursuant to title 36, chapter 4, article 10 or chapter 28.1, an agency shall waive any fee for an initial license for any of the following individuals if the individual is applying for that specific license in the state FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Note: The $22.00 fingerprint fee still applies and will need to accompany your application.
- Any individual applicant whose family income does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Any active duty military service member's spouse.
- Any honorably discharged veteran who has been discharged not more than two years before application.
If any of the options above apply to the applicant and this is your first time applying, please contact the Licensing Unit at 602-223-2361 for further information.
Under the authority provided by A.R.S. §§ 32-2407 and 32-2607, the Department establishes and shall collect the following fees:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- A person shall pay a fee by cash, cashier’s check, certified check, credit card, or money order made payable to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
- Fingerprints and a fingerprint fee are required for every security guard application. Private Investigator applications: fingerprints and fingerprint processing fee are required for all new and renewal applications; Additional PI agency application; if more than 365 days have passed since you last provided a fingerprint card and fingerprint processing fee.
- PI Employee applications and fingerprints may be submitted separately from the Agency renewal application, but will not be accepted before receiving the agency's renewal.
- PI Employee registration certificate expiration dates will always be the same as those of the agency.
- Allow at least 15 business days after the submission of your application before calling the unit to check your status. Repeated phone calls will only delay your application.
All fees are non-refundable. (R12-2-102(C) and R12-6-103(D))
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How do I apply for a license?
Applicants can utilize the Public Services Portal (PSP) to apply for registrations related to Security Guard and Private Investigators. Users will be prompted to create a secure account on the PSP, allowing them to receive communications in a timely manner and to check the status of the application.
Once the application is submitted via the PSP, applicants will be provided with a Reference Number for use when getting fingerprinted. They will receive a message in their PSP message center providing two options:
Electronic:
- If the applicant chooses to submit prints electronically, they will need to follow the instructions in that message for electronic fingerprinting.
Paper:
- If the applicant chooses to submit prints via a paper fingerprint card, they will need to arrange for their prints to be taken by a third-party fingerprinting service or by a local law enforcement office. Locations can be found by searching online; DPS cannot provide a list of vendors. DPS does NOT provide fingerprinting services. Once the prints are taken on a fingerprint card, they can be mailed to the Licensing Unit (see mailing address in the Contact Us tab) or dropped off at the Public Services Center at Window 2 (see physical address in the Contact Us tab). Once AZDPS receives the print cards or electronic prints, the fingerprints will be processed for review. The Reference Number must be included with the fingerprint card. You can write the Reference Number on the paper card in the box labeled MISCELLANEOUS NO.
Where can I get my fingerprints taken?
DPS does not provide fingerprinting for the public for this purpose. There are two options for fingerprinting.
- Electronic fingerprints can be obtained by visiting a Fieldprint kiosk. After you've submitted your application online, you will be required to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken. Once the fingerprints have been submitted, the Licensing Unit will process your application.
- You may contact your local police department, sheriff's office, or a third-party fingerprint provider. Per state law, you must submit your fingerprint card with your application, and all boxes on the fingerprint card must be completed. DO NOT bend or fold your fingerprint card, as it may alter your prints and result in a fingerprint rejection.
Are fees refundable?
No. fees paid for services involving fingerprint-based checks conducted by DPS are not refundable per A.R.S. § 32-2601-16, AAC R12-2-102(C) and R12-6-103(D)
How to check if a license is valid?
You can check the status of a Security Guard or Private Investigator Registration online at the PSP Portal.
Can I use my employer's address as my residential and/or mailing address?
No. Due to the confidential information we send out, any correspondence and identification card(s) are between the applicant and the Department.
How to obtain a replacement card if it is lost, stolen, or my name changes?
You will need to submit a card replacement form. The form may be obtained in one of two ways:
- Online – Replacement card requests can be made through the PSP Portal.
- In-Person – Replacement card requests can be made at our office by filling out the replacement card request form and paying applicable fees.
How long is a registration valid for?
All licenses and registrations are valid for four (4) years per A.R.S. § 32-2601-16
I'm a licensed security guard in another state. Is my license transferable to Arizona?
No. Registrations are not transferable between states or persons.
If approved, when will I get my identification card?
If approved, your identification card will be transmitted to a third-party vendor for printing. In the following 2 business days, the identification card will be printed and mailed to the address we have on file. Please allow 14 business days for your identification card to be delivered via US First Class Mail.
Can DPS tell me if I qualify for a Registration/License before I apply?
DPS cannot determine if an applicant is eligible for a Security Guard or Private Investigator Registration until the fingerprint-based state and federal background results are received and reviewed.
Can DPS send a notification stating my application is in process or that my identification card is valid?
DPS cannot send an email or fax to you or an employer regarding the status of an application, or to verify that a license or registration is valid. The employer can check the status on the PSP Portal. You may verify your status by logging in to your personal portal account.
Renewing your application
Per Arizona Administrative Code R-13-6-302(A), DPS recommends submitting the renewal application within 180 days before the current card expiration. This will allow for adequate processing time and address any issues or concerns that may arise in the process.
If you send in your renewal packet more than 180 days before your expiration date, it will be returned to you.
If I lost or never received my denial or suspension letter, can I get a copy?
Yes. Email the Licensing Unit at [email protected] (be sure to provide your full name, license number, and date of birth). A copy of the letter will be mailed to you via US Mail. Due to the confidential criminal history information contained in the letter, it cannot be faxed or sent via email.
What will my fingerprints be used for?
Your fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the state of Arizona and of the FBI. DPS and the FBI may retain your fingerprints and associated information after the completion of this application. While your fingerprints may continue to be compared against other fingerprints, including latent fingerprints submitted to or retained by DPS and the FBI.
If you have a criminal history record, the officials making the determination of your suitability for the job, license, or other benefit must provide you with the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in the record. You should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the record (or decline to do so) before officials deny you the job, license, or other benefit based on information in the criminal history record.
The procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or update of your FBI criminal history record are set forth in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 16.30 through 16.34. Information on how to review and challenge your FBI criminal history record can be found at www.fbi.gov, under Criminal History Summary Checks, or by calling (304) 625-5590.
To obtain a copy of your Arizona criminal history record to review, update, or correct, you can contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Central State Repository at (602) 223-2222 or visit here to request a Review and Challenge.
If I receive a notice of denial from DPS, is there any way I can ever be issued a Security Guard or Private Investigator license?
Depending on the offense or offenses for which you were denied, you MAY be eligible to pursue a good cause exception through the Arizona Private Investigator and Security Guard Hearing Board. If you have any questions, you may email [email protected] regarding the good cause exception process.
Is a photocopy proof that a card is valid?
No. A photocopy of a security guard or private investigator registration, or the identification card itself, is not proof that it is a valid card. As an employer, you will need to either check the status online at the DPS website or contact the DPS Licensing unit to determine if the person has a valid card. A.R.S. § 32-2601-16.