License Requirements

Licensing Requirements

An applicant for a private security guard agency license must meet the following requirements:

• Be not less than 21 years old.

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

• Have not been convicted of a felony.

• In the last five years, have not had a misdemeanor conviction of any of the following:

  • Dishonesty or fraud.

  • Unauthorized divulging or selling of information or evidence.

  • Impersonation of a law enforcement officer or employee of the US, Michigan, or political subdivision of Michigan.

  • Illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon.

  • Two or more alcohol related offenses.

  • Controlled substances under the public health code 1978 PA 368.

  • Assault.

• Have not been dishonorably discharged from the US military.

• Have not been judged to be insane by a court, unless restored to sanity by a court order.

• Does not have any outstanding warrants for his/her arrest.

• Has a Michigan office location and a resident manager.

• Has posted a $25,000 surety bond with the Department or furnishes an insurance policy in the amount of $25,000 for property damages, $100,000 for injury or death of one person, and $200,000 for injuries to or deaths of more than one person.

In addition to the above requirements, one of the following Experience Requirements must be met:

• Was engaged in the private security guard or agency business on his or her own account in another state for a period of at least 3 years.

• Was engaged in the private security guard or agency business for a period of at least 4 years as an employee of the holder of a certificate of authority to conduct a private security guard or agency business and has experience reasonably equivalent to at least 4 years of full-time guard work in a supervisory capacity with rank above that of patrolman.

• Was employed in law enforcement as a certified police officer on a full-time basis at least 4 years for a city, county, or state government or for the United States government.

• While on active duty as a member of the armed forces, served as a military police officer or in an equivalent job classification for at least 2 years; was honorable character of service or under honorable conditions (general) character of service from the military service; and provides with his or her application an affidavit signed by a commanding officer, supervisor, or military superior with direct knowledge of the applicant’s service that he or she has, entry-level experience in or basic knowledge of each of the following:

  • Enforcing rules, regulations, and guidelines.

  • Providing security and physical protection.

  • Area and site security operations.

  • Overseeing prisoners and correctional facilities.

  • Reconnaissance and surveillance.