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The cheapest state to get a security guard license is New Mexico at $15. The most expensive is Oregon at $106.25. The national average is $53.
Lowest
$15
New Mexico
Average
$53
across 37 states
Median
$50
28 states at or below
Range
$91.25
spread across states
| # | State | Renewal Fee | Initial Fees | Renewal Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Mexico | $15 | $119.95-$259.95 | 2 years |
| #2 | New York | $25 | $274-$499 | 2 years |
| #2 | Ohio | $25 (or $40 if late) | $155-$355 | 1 year |
| #4 | Texas | $37 | $177.25-$339.25 | 2 years |
| #5 | Pennsylvania | $45 | $245-$545 | Annual (Act 235) |
| #6 | Alabama | $50 | $240-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | Alaska | $50 | $240-$515 | 2 years |
| #6 | Arkansas | $50 | $215-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | California | $50 | $249-$479 | 2 years |
| #6 | Connecticut | $50 | $215-$402 | 5 years |
| #6 | Delaware | $50 | $240-$415 | 5 years |
| #6 | Georgia | $50 | $240-$465 | 2 years |
| #6 | Hawaii | $50 | $215-$365 | 3 years (June 30 cycle: 2024, 2027, 2030) |
| #6 | Indiana | $50 | $215-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | Louisiana | $50 | $215-$365 | 2 years |
| #6 | Maine | $50 | $165-$365 | 1 year |
| #6 | Maryland | $50 | $250-$425 | 2 years |
| #6 | Michigan | $50 | $165-$365 | 3 years |
| #6 | Minnesota | $50 | $165-$365 | 1 year |
| #6 | Montana | $50 | $240-$415 | 1 year |
| #6 | North Carolina | $50 | $240-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | North Dakota | $50 | $240-$490 | 1 year (expires September 30) |
| #6 | Oklahoma | $50 | $240-$490 | 3 years |
| #6 | South Carolina | $50 | $215-$365 | 1 year |
| #6 | Utah | $50 | $215-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | Virginia | $50 | $250-$475 | 2 years (biennial) |
| #6 | West Virginia | $50 | $215-$415 | 2 years |
| #6 | Wisconsin | $50 | $215-$465 | 2 years (expires 08/31 even years) |
| #29 | Illinois | $55 | $260-$485 | 3 years |
| #30 | New Jersey | $60 | $270-$495 | 2 years (unarmed); 1 year (armed) |
| #31 | Florida | $61.75 | $339.75-$551.75 | 2 years |
| #32 | Tennessee | $70 (unarmed) / $85 (armed) | $195-$330+ (unarmed) / $230-$360+ (armed) | 2 years |
| #33 | Arizona | $72 | $147-$272 | 4 years for registrations issued on/after September 26, 2025 (per SB 1618); 2 years for registrations issued before that date |
| #34 | District of Columbia | $75 | $400-$700 | 2 years |
| #34 | Washington | $75 | $275-$521 | 2 years |
| #36 | Nevada | $85 | $135-$364 | 5 years |
| #37 | Oregon | $106.25 | $206.25-$462.50 | 2 years |
| — | Colorado | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Idaho | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Iowa | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Kansas | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Kentucky | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Massachusetts | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Mississippi | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Missouri | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Nebraska | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | New Hampshire | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Rhode Island | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | South Dakota | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Vermont | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
| — | Wyoming | Varies — see details | — | N/A |
Renewal fees are per renewal cycle as reported by state licensing boards. Where fee ranges are listed, the lower bound is used for ranking. Click any state for full renewal details.
New Mexico has the lowest renewal fee at $15. The national average renewal fee is $53.
There is significant variation across the 37 states with data. Values range from $15 to $106.25, with a median of $50.