Applying for a Security Guard Firm License

Applying for a New License

Apply for a firm license if you plan to employ or allow anyone to perform security guard services for you.  See Definitions and Exemptions.  Your firm may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or voluntary association. 

Follow these steps:

1  Organize your company, or get an out-of-state company authorized by registering with the proper agency.  A good standing certificate will be required with your application if the company is a corporation.  Go to Start a New Business for more information. 

2  Get the application form and fingerprint cards.  Use one of these ways:

The online form requires the Acrobat Reader.  You can fill it out on screen, then print.  If you start with a printed form, please type or print in ink and make certain every entry is legible.  

3  The fingerprint card must be an official West Virginia fingerprint card -- no substitutes.  You will need cards for your qualifying agent, for officers, members or partners of the firm, and for each employee who will conduct security guard business under the firm's license.  Taking clear fingerprints is difficult -- we urge you to go to your local state police detachment or sheriff's office and have them take the prints.  If you live out of state, request the card and go to your local law enforcement office for assistance.  If you are skilled at taking prints and do it yourself, be sure to use black printers ink, such as a black stamp pad.  Also, be sure each card is completed fully and signed or it will come back to you and cause delays.

4  Make sure the applicant -- the qualifying agent -- the person who is eligible to be licensed as a security guard and who will be responsible for the operation of the security guard operations of the firm -- completes the security guard license application.  [Note:  It is not permissible to have a person act as qualifying agent unless that person is directly involved with and responsible for supervising the security guard operations of the firm.]  Also, each officer, member or partner of a corporation, LLC, or partnership is required to submit a completed application form, including references.  Documentation of qualifications are not required for anyone other than the qualifying agent.    

5  Complete the firm application, including the list of employees (include only those employees who will conduct security guard operations).  Each officer of a corporation or voluntary association, member of a limited liability company, or partner of a partnership must sign the application.

6  Get the two required photographs for each applicant, and for each officer, member or partner, taken within the last year.  Also, get one photograph of each employee who will conduct security guard business under the firm's license to keep on file.  Have passport size color photos taken by a photographer.  A colored background, such as light blue or gray, works best. Attach two photos to the application.  Also, get photographs of each employee who will conduct investigations under the firm's license.  Those photographs must be on file at your firm's main office throughout the year.

7  Find a surety company authorized to do business in West Virginia who will agree to issue a surety bond of $2,500 naming the firm as principal.  Take the surety bond form and instructions included in the application materials to the agent representing that company.  If the firm is a corporation, the president or vice-president is required to sign the bond and have that signature notarized, unless a corporate resolution authorizing someone else to sign is attached, and a corporate seal must be attached.  The agent's signature must be notarized, and a power of attorney must be attached.

8  For the applicant, and for each officer, member or partner, provide a blank character reference letter form (included in the application form) to each of five reputable citizens who have known the individual for whom the reference is give for five years and who are not related to that individual by blood or marriage.  Ask each person to complete the reference and return it to you.  DO NOT mail or bring the firm application until you have five completed references for each individual.

9  For each employee who will conduct security guard business under the firm's license, obtain a background check through the State Police.  This must be maintained on file throughout the year in the firm's main office.

10  Get together copies of the documentation proving that each qualifying agent has met the training and/or experience requirements.  

11  Pay the fee.   A $50 non-refundable processing fee is included in the fee.  If the license is denied, the remainder will be refunded. 

One-year license and processing fee for a firm:

$250 West Virginia Resident
$550 Non-Resident of WV

See Payment Methods for more information.

12  Submit your application, fingerprints, references, surety bond, documentation of qualifications, and fee to: Security Guard Licensing, Secretary of State, Bldg. 1, Suite 157-K, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV  25305

Renewing a Firm License

Follow these steps:

1  Make sure your business registration is up to date.  If you operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership, check with the State Tax Department.  If you operate as a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or voluntary association, check with the Secretary of State.

2  Get the application form and fingerprint cards.  Use one of these ways:

The online form requires the Acrobat Reader.  You can fill it out on screen, then print.  If you start with a printed form, please type or print in ink and make certain every entry is legible.  

3  The renewal fingerprint cards must be official West Virginia index finger fingerprint cards -- no substitutes.  You will need cards for your qualifying agent, for officers, members or partners of the firm, and for each employee who will conduct security guard business under the firm's license.  Taking clear fingerprints is difficult -- we urge you to go to your local state police detachment or sheriff's office and have them take the prints.  If you live out of state, request the card and go to your local law enforcement office for assistance.  If you are skilled at taking prints and do it yourself, be sure to use black printers ink, such as a black stamp pad.  Also, be sure each card is completed fully and signed or it will come back to you and cause delays.

4  Get one new photograph for each qualifying agent, or have one taken at the Secretary of State's Office when submitting the renewal application, if you want it to appear on the agent's license.  Old photographs from our file will not be used.  Review your files to make sure you have current photos of all persons conducting security guard business under your firm license.  Photos must be passport size color photos taken by a photographer, preferably on a colored background, such as light blue or gray. Attach one photo to your application.  

5  Renew your firm's surety bond and obtain a renewal certificate or continuation to submit with your application.  If your surety company will not renew your bond, you must obtain a new surety bond.

6  Pay the fee.   A $50 non-refundable processing fee is included in the fee.  If your license is denied, the remainder will be refunded. 

One-year license renewal and processing fee for firm:

$250  West Virginia Resident
$550  Non-Resident of WV

See Ordering & Payment for more information.

7  Submit your application, fingerprints, references, surety bond and fee to: Security Guard Licensing, Secretary of State, Bldg. 1, Suite 157-K, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV  25305