Applying for an Individual
Security Guard License
Apply for a New
License
Apply for an individual license only
if you plan to provide security services on your own and under your own name.
See Definitions
and Exemptions.
Follow these steps:
1
Decide the type of
business structure you plan to use to work as a licensed security guard.
This step is required if you work for anyone on a contract basis rather
than as an employee. If you will be a sole proprietor, you may want to wait to
obtain a business license with the State Tax Department
until after your security guard license is approved. If you prefer
to establish a limited liability company, you should at least reserve your
name before you apply for a license, to make sure the name on your license
application and the name under which you do business are the same. Go to
Start a New Business for
information.
2 Get the application form
and fingerprint cards. Use one of these ways:
Download the application
form and request fingerprint cards
-- by e-mail, or
-- at a state police detachment or sheriff's office (see
#3). |
| E-mail
your request for an
individual security guard application packet. |
| Call
(304) 558-6000 to request an individual security guard application packet. |
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. 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 the card is completed fully and signed or it will come back to
you and cause delays.
4 Get the two required
photographs, taken within the last year. Have
passport size color photos taken by a photographer. A colored
background, such as light blue or gray, works best. Attach two photos to your
application.
5 Find a new surety
company authorized to do business in West Virginia who will agree to issue a
surety bond of $2,500 naming you, the applicant, as principal. Take the
surety bond form and instructions included in the application materials to the
agent representing that company. Your signature as principal must be
notarized. The agent's signature must be notarized, and a power of
attorney must be attached.
6 Provide a blank
character reference letter form (included in the application form) to each of
five reputable citizens who have known you for five years and who are not
related to you by blood or marriage. Ask them to
complete the reference and return it to you. DO NOT mail or bring your
application until you have five completed references.
7 Get together copies
of the documentation proving that you have met the training and/or experience
requirements.
Documentation may include:
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NEW!
Ask us
to pre-check your training and experience credits before you apply.
Save the
frustration of completing the application process before you know if you
meet the qualifications.
Click Pre-Check
for more information
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A transcript showing successful completion
of at least thirty semester hours of credit in investigative or law
enforcement studies or a comparable training program; or
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A sworn statement (under penalty of false
swearing) signed by one of the principals of a licensed private
investigative or security guard firm which specifies the time you were employed (hours per
week and number of weeks), or evidence of equivalent law enforcement employment. If all requirements are to be met by this experience,
the work must include a minimum of 32 hours per week for 50 weeks; or
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A combination of transcripts and
experience certified as provided above. To determine if the
requirements are met, divide the number of appropriate college credits
by sixty to determine the percentage of the total requirement met by
education. For example, 12 credit hours / 30 hours = 40% met by
education. This leaves 60% to be met by experience. Multiply
the percentage to be met by experience times 50 weeks. For
example 60% x 50 weeks = 30 weeks (minimum 32 hours per week) of
experience.
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8 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 and processing fee for
individual:
$150 West Virginia Resident
$550 Non-Resident of WV
See Ordering
& Payment for more information.
9 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
10 If your license is approved, complete your business
registration. (See step 1)
Renewing an Individual License
Don't forget, if you decide to employ or allow any other person to assist with
security guard work in the coming year, you must first obtain 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 limited liability company,
check with the Secretary of State.
2 Get the application form
and fingerprint cards. Use one of these ways:
Download the application
form and request fingerprint cards
-- by e-mail, or
-- at a state police detachment or sheriff's office (see
#3). |
|
E-mail
your request for an
individual security guard application packet.
|
| Call
(304) 558-6000 to request an individual security guard application packet. |
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.
A renewal requires the same application as an initial license.
3 The
renewal fingerprint card must be an official West Virginia index finger
fingerprint card -- no substitutes. 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 the card is completed fully and
signed or it will come back to you and cause delays.
4 Get one new photograph, or have one taken at
the Secretary of State's Office when you submit your renewal application, if
you want it to appear on your license. Old photographs from our file
will not be used. 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 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
individual:
$150 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
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