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Security Guard
Total cost: $240-$465
Governing Authority
Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (under Secretary of State)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
24 hrs
Unarmed Training
15 hrs
Armed Training
$240-$465
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
18+
Min Age (Unarmed)
Application Fee
$50
Fingerprint / Background Check Fee
$40
Training Fee
$100-$250
Varies by training provider
Unarmed License Fee
$50
Armed License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
$50
State Regulation
VerifiedRequired
License Requirement
state
Regulation Level
Regulation Notes
Georgia requires security agencies and armed security guards to be licensed through the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies under the Secretary of State. Unarmed guards must be trained but are not individually registered with the state.
Training Hours
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
Additional Requirements
24 hrs
Hours Required
Training Topics
Provider Requirements
Training must comply with rules of the Private Detective and Security Agencies Board
Armed training available
15 hrs
Firearms Training Hours
Qualification Requirements
Must demonstrate proficiency with duty firearm
Authorized Firearm Types
Requalification Frequency
Annual firearms requalification required
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Guard Card / Licensing Exam
VerifiedRequired
Guard Card
Security Guard Registration (armed only state-registered)
Card Name
Processing Time
4-6 weeks
Valid Period
2 years
Overall licensing difficulty: 2/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Security Guard Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
18+
Unarmed Min Age
21+
Armed Min Age
Yes
Required
Yes
Fingerprinting
Yes
Federal Check
Yes
State Check
Disqualifying Offenses
Drug screening not required by state
Yes
Company License
Yes
Insurance Required
Yes
Bonding Required
Employer Training Obligations
Not sure if you need a security guard license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Fingerprint Fee | $40 |
Training Fee Varies by training provider | $100-$250 |
Unarmed License Fee | $50 |
Armed License Fee | $75 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on training provider selected | $240-$465 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
8 hrs
CE Hours Required
Refresher Training
Refresher training required for renewal
Firearms Requalification
Annual firearms requalification required
Renewal Fee
$50
Security guard licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require refresher training covering updated laws, use-of-force guidelines, and emergency procedures.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Transfer Details
Georgia does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state security guard licenses.
Security guard license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Most states require new applicants to complete state-specific training and background checks regardless of prior credentials.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Georgia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Georgia only requires individual state registration for armed security guards. Unarmed guards must complete 24 hours of training per Board rules but are not individually registered with the state.
In Georgia, security agencies must be licensed, but only armed guards are required to be individually registered with the state.
Unarmed guards must be trained per Board rules but are not individually registered.
Fingerprints are processed through Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS).
A GED or equivalent education is required.
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Official Sources
Security Guard requirements in Georgia verified against Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (under Secretary of State), March 2026.