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Security Guard
Total cost: $245-$545
Governing Authority
No state guard card (Lethal Weapons Training Act for armed)
No
License Required?
Varies
Unarmed Training
40 hrs
Armed Training
$245-$545
Total Initial Fees
Annual (Act 235)
Renewal Period
18+
Min Age (Unarmed)
Training Fee
$200-$500 (Act 235)
Varies by training provider
Armed License Fee
$45
Renewal Fee
$45
State Regulation
VerifiedNot Required
License Requirement
No state-level licensing
Regulation Level
Regulation Notes
Pennsylvania does not require a state guard card for unarmed security guards. Armed guards must comply with the Lethal Weapons Training Act (Act 235). Some municipalities have local requirements.
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
Additional Requirements
Armed training available
40 hrs
Firearms Training Hours
Qualification Requirements
Must complete 40-hour Act 235 Lethal Weapons Training certification
Authorized Firearm Types
Requalification Frequency
Annual firearms requalification required
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Guard Card / Licensing Exam
VerifiedNot Required
Guard Card
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
No
Company License
Employer Training Obligations
Not sure if you need a security guard license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Fee Varies by training provider | $200-$500 (Act 235) |
Armed License Fee | $45 |
Renewal Fee | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on training provider selected | $245-$545 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (Act 235)
Renewal Period
8 hrs
CE Hours Required
Refresher Training
Annual refresher required for Act 235 certification
Firearms Requalification
Annual firearms requalification required
Renewal Fee
$45
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
Pennsylvania does not have state-level unarmed security guard licensing.
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 Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Pennsylvania's Lethal Weapons Training Act (Act 235) only applies to armed guards. Unarmed guards have no state-level requirements, creating a significant gap between armed and unarmed regulation.
This state does not license or register security guards at the state level. Requirements may exist at the local (city/county) level. Check with local law enforcement or business licensing offices.
Pennsylvania only licenses ARMED security guards under Act 235 (Lethal Weapons Training Act). Unarmed security guards are not state-licensed.
Armed guards must have Act 235 (Lethal Weapons Training Act) certification.
Act 235 training is 40 hours and requires annual renewal.
Some municipalities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh) may have local licensing requirements.
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Official Sources
Security Guard requirements in Pennsylvania verified against No state guard card (Lethal Weapons Training Act for armed), March 2026.