Minnesota Globe

Minnesota Security Guard License Information (Guard Card)

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Information Details
State Agency Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services
Website https://dps.mn.gov/entity/pdb/Pages/default.aspx
Term of License 2-years.
Pre-Assignment Training Required? Yes. 12-hours.
Total Training Required 12-hours
Online Training Approved? Unknown
Referesher Training Required? Yes. 6-hours per year.
Separate Firearms Training? Yes.
Separate Baton Training? At the employer's discretion.
Separate Pepper Spray Training? At the employer's discretion.
Average Hourly Wage $16.46
Average Annual Salary $34,240
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Requirements to Become a Security Guard

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The applicant must:

  • be at least 18 years of age.
  • have a record free of felony convictions and no record of convictions of offenses identified in statute (see Minn. Stat. ยง326.3381 subd. 3 (1)).
  • be of good character, honesty, and integrity.

Security Guard License (Unarmed Security Officer)

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A person employed as a private detective or protective agent must spend a minimum of 12 hours in preassignment training within the first 21 days of employment. An individual who leaves the profession for three years or longer and returns to employment as a private detective or protective agent must repeat the preassignment training.

  • NOTE: The actual license is issued by the State of Minnesota, not the trainer.

Firearms Permits (Armed Security Officer)

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No license holder, qualified representative, Minnesota manager, partner, or employee may carry or use a weapon or immobilizing or restraint technique without having successfully completed certified training as directed by the board.

An individual may not carry or use a weapon while undergoing on-the-job training.

Although the minimum topics of the firearms training is specified in the regulations, the minimum number of training hours is not.

  • NOTE: A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit does not qualify a security guard to carry armed.

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

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6-hours a year of certified continuing training for all license holders, qualified representatives, Minnesota managers, partners, and employees.

An additional 6-hours a year for individuals who are armed with firearms or armed with weapons, which must include annual certification of the individual.

Fingerprinting/Background Check

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Licensure requires a fingerprint/background check.

Information provided on this site is for educational purposes. It is not legal advice.