A Security Guard is a person employed in NYS to principally perform one or more of the following duties, and the person is not performing the functions of a private investigator:
It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Private Investigators, Bail Enforcement Agents, Watch, Guard or Patrol Agencies and Security Guards License Law.
Term of registration is two years.
There are fees associated a Security Guard registration. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form . DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.
Renew Your License
A Security Guard registration is good for two years. You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.
Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.
If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.
Important Advisory Regarding Security Guard Training
In order to renew a Security Guard registration, the mandatory training courses must be completed and on file
with our office.
Please do not call the Division of Criminal Justice Services or the Department of State to verify the completion of the required training courses. Begin by contacting the Security Guard Training School to confirm that the training was completed and the appropriate roster was submitted to the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
All training must be submitted to the State of New York by an authorized school. Individuals are not permitted to mail or fax course certificates to the Department of State. It is the responsibility of the Training School to submit course completion information to the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Once the Division has received your course completion information, it will be electronically transferred to the Department of State.
Please note that the ID card you now hold remains in effect until the date it expires. Once the ID card expires, you will be ineligible to continue in employment as a security guard. If your registration is expired for 6 months or more, you will be required to reapply for a new registration.
Update Your License
To update your personal name, business or residence address download, complete and submit the Change Notice to the address on the form.
To request a duplicate license certificate, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request to the address on the form.
To apply for a Security Guard registration, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
The Online Security Guard Registry allows employers to determine the qualification of a security guard applicant in order to comply with their due diligence requirements pursuant to 19 NYCRR §174.6.
To access the Online Security Guard Registry, you will login using your employer unique identification number (UID). This is the eleven-digit registration number issued to you by the Division of Licensing Services that begins with an ‘11’ and is followed by nine additional digits (i.e. 11000000999.) To search the eligibility of a potential hire, an employer will enter the social security number of the individual they are looking to hire and will be returned with a registration status, a determination whether the individual is ok to hire and a transaction number. Employers should print the summary of the transaction keeping it in their business records as proof of their due diligence.
The Online Security Guard Registry is available to employers from 6:00am to 7:30pm Monday through Friday.
This Guide will help you navigate the Security Guard Registry website to determine the qualification of an applicant for employment as a Security Guard.
Searches are limited to active licenses only.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on this site is up to date and accurate. As the Department relies upon information provided to it, the information's completeness or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Security Guard employers are cautioned that this Web site does not circumvent or supercede the requirements of due diligence set forth in the Department of State rules, 19NYCRR§174.6
Please note that information pertaining to residence addresses is not included on this database. Such information is protected by privacy law.
*REMINDER NOTICE FOR SECURITY GUARD EMPLOYERS* Have you checked the policy expiration date on your certificate of liability insurance lately? Your liability insurance may be due to expire. You should know that in order to remain in compliance with Article 7A of the General Business Law, your coverage must be maintained.
Who is exempt from registration? A security guard who is otherwise subject to regulation with respect to registration and training by the federal government in the performance of his or her duties
A security guard providing services on a voluntary basis
Active police officers are exempt from registration, but, when employed by a contractual entity, they must complete an Employee Statement but do not need to be fingerprinted. However, police officers separated from service (e.g. retired) are considered civilians and must register as a security guard.
Peace officers while working in their official capacity for their primary employer. However, if moonlighting, a peace officer is considered a security guard and must register.
Are there additional requirements for an armed guard registration? Yes. You must complete a 47-hour firearms course and submit the certificate with your application for issuance of an armed guard registration card.
May I install security systems if I am registered as a security guard?
No. You must obtain an alarm installers license.
If I am a retired police officer, do I have to register?
Yes. Retired police officers must register and complete all training. If a retired police officer (less than 10 years), you must provide the Department of State with a signed letter of good standing from your department. In addition, if you are required by your employer to carry a firearm, or are authorized to have access to a firearm, you must provide proof to the Department of State and your employer of having completed a Basic Course for Police Officers (or an equivalent course), that included initial firearms training, within one year prior to such employment. If your initial firearms training occurred more than a year before such employment, you must complete an 8 Hour Annual In-Service training for Armed Security Guard and report that training to the Department of State and your employer.
Do active police officers who do part-time security work have to be registered as a security guard?
No. Active police officers accepting secondary employment are not required to register or complete training. Individuals previously employed as police officers are considered civilians and must register and complete all training. When employed by a contractual entity, they must complete an Employee Statement, but they do not need to be fingerprinted. However, if an active police officer is hired by a contractual entity as an investigator, or if they are filing a PI/BEA/WGP application with the Department of State, they must be fingerprinted.
Can I submit a photo with my security guard application rather than the DMV ID#?
No. ID cards are produced by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the image on file in its office. Individuals who do not have a current NYS photo driver license or non-driver ID card must go to a DMV office and have their photo taken (at no cost to them) before submitting their application to the Department of State. This is referred to as an "image-only" transaction. When these individuals go to a DMV office, they must bring a Request for Photo ID form with them. This form provides instructions and will be retained by the DMV office. The "image-only" transaction produces an FS-6T receipt that displays the individual's 9-digit ID number for the new client record. Individuals who get "image-only" captures should save their receipts and write that ID number on their application.
Once an individual is approved for licensure or registration, the Department of State sends his or her name and DMV number to the Department of Motor Vehicles to have an ID card printed. DMV sends the ID card to the residence address on file with the Department of State.
May I satisfy my due diligence requirements by accessing the information available on the Department of State Web site?
No. You are still required to use the Online Security Guard Registry to obtain a transaction number.
How long do companies have to submit a security guard registration application after receiving a transaction number?
Employers must submit the security guard registration application with appropriate documentation within 24 hours of receiving a transaction number.
Do applicants have to submit fingerprints?
Yes. All applicants must submit fingerprints.
What address do I mail the security guard application to?
Completed applications should be mailed to: NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22052 Albany, NY 12201-2052
What does an applicant or employer have to submit with the registration application?
A completed application must include:
• The completed, signed application
• copy of certificate showing completion of an 8-hour pre-assignment course;- signed DMV consent form
• receipt that provides proof of fingerprint completion
• $36.00 fee payable to the NYS Department of State
• any additional documentation requested in response to specific questions on the application form; and if employment will commence with filing of the application, the Notice of Employment section must be completed by your employer
* If applying for an armed security guard registration, a course completion certificate for 47 hours of firearms training, or a copy of the waiver issued by the Division of Criminal Justice Services
Note: Security guard employers should, at a minimum, retain one copy of each of the above listed items in their personnel files for each of their guards
How soon does a guard need to send his or her renewal form and $25 fee to the Department of State?
A renewal is mailed to the guard 90 days prior to the expiration date. Guards must renew their registration by the expiration date of their current registration or they cannot work as a security guard. If their registration has not been renewed within 6 months after the expiration date of their current registration, they must re-apply and re-qualify.
When should companies notify Licensing Services of employment?
Basically, on employment: If employment commences with the filing of the application, the Notice of Employment section should be completed by the employer. No additional fee is required.
If security guard is applying independently, the Notice of Employment section need not be completed.
If the individual is already registered as a security guard, a "Security Guard Employment Status Notification" form and $25 fee must be completed and sent to the Division of Licensing Services.
What other documentation should employers retain in their personnel files?
Security guard employers should, at a minimum, retain one copy of each of the following in their personnel files for each of their guards.
• Temporary Identification Card (required upon termination of the guard)
• Copy of Employment Status Notification (used for hiring and termination of the guard)
Can a qualifier for a Private Investigator or Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency license work as an unarmed or armed guard under his or her license without additional filing as a security guard?
Yes. A qualifier complies with statutory requirements. A separate registration as a security guard is not needed.
If a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency or Private Investigator qualifier does guard work, does the qualifier have to be registered as a security guard?
The qualifier of a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency or Private Investigator does not need a separate registration as a security guard as long as the qualifier is providing guard services for the qualifier's own company.
However, if the qualifier provides guard services for another Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency or Private Investigator, the qualifier must obtain a security guard registration in order to provide guard services to that company.
Is security guard registration required from individuals who are waiting to be appointed as Peace Officers? NYC Special Patrolmen are granted peace officer authority pursuant to CPL §2.10 (27). While waiting to be appointed, the individual(s) will be employed to perform security guard functions.
Our rules provide that peace officers performing security guard duties in the course of their peace officer status are exempt from the registration requirements. However, no such exemption exists for individuals who are performing security functions while awaiting such status. Therefore, if the individuals are performing security guard functions, they must be registered.
I am an authorized employer. Will the Department of State accept security guard applications with my stamped signature?
The Department of State will accept security guard applications with an employer's stamped signature. Employers wishing to do so must submit a signed statement with a sample of the rubber stamp. The liability for misuse rests with the qualifier.
I need some information and forms relating to training courses.
The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety – Security Guard Program, has regulatory authority over training requirements. Please visit their website.
Have a question regarding your license? First, see if your questions are answered in the FAQs above. Otherwise, the quickest way to get in touch with us is through email: Contact us here!
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:15pm
Albany Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots , please visit their website .
New York City: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
Customer Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00pm & 12:45pm-4:00pm