Security Guard Agency

Who is required to be licensed?

Definitions from ARS 32-3601-16

"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, choses in action or other property, valuable documents, papers and articles of value.

Note to Peace Officers: Peace officers operating a security agency (business) must be licensed per the requirements of this webpage. This means the submission of an application, fees, a workman's compensation policy, liability insurance, a list of employees and a recent letter from the agency head (or designee) that the officers may wear department uniforms and drive department vehicles. If your agency will not permit the use of agency uniforms and vehicles, you must follow the instructions below pertaining to security uniforms and vehicles. Recent inquiries of various risk management and human resources entities has shown that they WILL NOT cover officers working in this capacity, the only exception is typically if the job was coordinated through an authorized agency off duty work coordinator - check with your department for further information as the policy may vary between agencies. If your agency will cover you in this security capacity, submit a written statement from BOTH your HR and Risk Management directors, in addition to all the other required application paperwork. Consult with your agency head and HR department before creating a security business due to conflicts related to peace officer status and liability while working for a security company.

Qualifications of Licensee

A security guard agency license is issued to an individual who is the Qualifying Party regardless of the agency structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation). The Qualifying Party is sometimes called the Licensee.

The Qualifying Party must meet the requirements as listed in ARS 32-2612 B. Qualifications for Licensee

The Qualifying Party (or Resident Manager)… shall have at least three years of full-time experience as a manager, supervisor or administrator of a security guard agency or three years of full-time supervisory experience with any federal, United States military, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency.

Documentation of Qualifications

The necessary documentation to fulfill the above Statute must be described in a letter from an individual or individuals, such as a former supervisor, who can specifically state their work relationship with you and personally verify your appropriate supervisory experience. The author of the letter must be clearly identified by name and include an address and contact telephone number. The author must sign the letter.

You may also submit documentation from an agency from which you retired or were previously employed. This documentation may be in the form of retirement papers, letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, or military records such as DD 214, NCOERs, OERs, awards, etc. (a DD 214 alone is insufficient evidence - we also need the copy that shows the type of discharge received). Generally, military personnel in grade E-5 or higher and officers will be considered to have served in supervisory capacities, however, at least three years of supervisory experience must be documented. Submitted documents must explicitly state that you have the required  experience from verifiable sources. Failure to provide sufficient documentation of your experience from appropriate sources will result in the rejection of your application.

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.
 

Application packet

Packets of application information and forms are available on this website. Adobe Acrobat is required to download, open, and print the forms. This is free software. A link is provided on this website to download the application.

Application Packets may also be requested from the Licensing Unit office.

Agency Associates

If these individuals reside and/or work in Arizona, they are considered Agency Associates:

Use the (one-page) Registration Application for each Associate’s application. The fee for an Associate is a $50.00 application fee and $24.00 for the fingerprint processing fee. Each Associate must pass the background check.

This form is available on this website.

Resident Manager

If the Qualifying Party does not reside in Arizona, there must be an Arizona address from which the agency will conduct business. The Qualifying Party must also name, in writing, an individual who is to serve as the Resident Manager. The Resident Manager must meet the same experience and background qualifications as the Qualifying Party.

Use the (two-page) Security Guard/Private Investigator Agency Application to submit a Resident Manager’s application.

This form is available in the Security Guard packets on this website.

Uniforms and Vehicles

Uniforms

ARS 32-2635 Uniform and insignia

The particular type of uniform and insignia for a security guard shall be subject to approval by the director, and shall be such that it will not deceive or confuse the public or be identical with that of any law enforcement officer of the federal government, the state or any political subdivision thereof.

Patches

Shoulder identification patches shall be worn on all uniform jackets, coats and shirts and shall include the name of the agency and the word "Security." Shoulder identification patches or emblems shall not be less than two inches by three inches in size. The patch should contain the word "Security" on it, however, a rocker or smaller patch stating "Security" may be affixed below the the shoulder patch in lieu of a patch with the word "Security" incorporated into it. A patch containing a star that resembles a law enforcement agency patch will not be approved. Obtain approval on your patch before ordering them in quantity. A patch is required on each sleeve.
 

Badge or Shield

A shield or badge is not a required uniform item.

No badge or shield shall be worn or carried by a security guard, armed security guard, private policeman, special policeman, watchman, or employee or licensee of any patrol service agency or private security guard agency, unless previously approved by the director.

This prohibits badges in the shape of a star or those similar to shields worn by Arizona law enforcement agencies.

Departmental policy prohibit the following words on any badge or shield:

Several shapes too closely resemble those worn by law enforcement agencies and will not be approved. Approved badges shall be worn only with the uniform. This prohibits wearing the badge or insignia on the belt when not in uniform.

Vehicles

All security vehicles, markings and equipment must be approved by the licensing unit. No red and/or blue lights visible to the front are authorized.

Guard Training Requirements

As required by Arizona Revised Statute §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 on this website. The curriculum of your training program must cover:

Note: Armed guards must also complete the DPS approved 16 Hour Firearms Training Course for Armed Guards.

General Liability Insurance

Do not purchase or submit evidence of a liability policy until your company has received notification from the Licensing Unit that your agency is approved.

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.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety must be listed as the certificate holder. If the security guard agency has an out-of-state address listed on the insurance certificate, the “description of operations” must include words similar to for Security Guard Agency operations in Arizona.

This certificate must be sent to DPS upon renewal of the policy. The agency file is updated with the new expiration date.

Workers' Compensation for Employees

Each agency is required to have a valid Workers' Compensation insurance, issued by a company authorized to conduct business in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Public Safety must be listed as the certificate holder.

If the security guard agency has an out-of-state address listed on the insurance certificate, the “description of operations” must include words similar to for security guard agency operations in Arizona.

This certificate must be sent to DPS upon renewal of the policy. The agency file is updated with the new expiration date.

Authorized Signers and Instructors

The Qualifying Party and any Resident Manager can authorize individuals to sign documents for the agency. Authorized Signers must be designated in writing. The Qualifying Party may add or delete signers as often as deemed necessary, but each action must be in writing.

The Qualifying Party must also designate, in writing, those individuals who are authorized as Instructors and those who are authorized to sign the Training Verification Form.

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.

New agency application fee

The new agency application fee is $500 plus $24 for the fingerprint processing of the Qualifying Party ($524 total). Any Resident Manager and/or Associate application fee is $74 each, which covers the $50 license fee and the $24 fingerprint processing fee. These must be submitted with the new agency application.

New agency license fee

After the qualifying party (and resident manager if necessary) experience, uniform and vehicle photographs, and background checks have been reviewed and approved,  then a Ready To License Letter will be sent to the new agency requesting the $500 license fee and certificates verifying General Liability and Workers' Compensation insurance. 

Renewal license fee

The license fee for renewing an agency is $500. Include $24 for the fingerprint processing of the Qualifying Party ($524 total).

Any Resident Manager or Associate renewal applications and fingerprints are to be included with the agency renewal application. Include the $50 license fee and the $24 fingerprint processing fee ($74 total, per person).

*New* Security Guard Firearms Instructor Applications and Renewals

Links to Revised Lesson Plans for Security Guard Training:

Unarmed Security Guard (8 hrs)

Armed Security Guard (16 hrs)

Armed Security Guard Renewal (8 hrs)