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Security Guard
Total cost: $215-$415
Governing Authority
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
8 hrs
Unarmed Training
16 hrs
Armed Training
$215-$415
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
18+
Min Age (Unarmed)
Application Fee
$50
Fingerprint / Background Check Fee
$40
Training Fee
$75-$200
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
Utah requires licensing for security officers through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Background checks are processed through the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).
Training Hours
Additional Requirements
Training Hours
Additional Requirements
8 hrs
Hours Required
Training Topics
Provider Requirements
DOPL-approved basic education and training program
Armed training available
16 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 Officer License
Card Name
Processing Time
4-6 weeks; interim license available with clean BCI report
Valid Period
2 years (expires September 30 of even-numbered years)
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
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 | $75-$200 |
Unarmed License Fee | $50 |
Armed License Fee | $75 |
Renewal Fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies based on training provider selected | $215-$415 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
4 hrs
CE Hours Required
Refresher Training
Continuing education required
Firearms Requalification
Annual firearms requalification required
Renewal Fee
$50
Regulatory Board
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
Utah 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 Utah with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Utah offers an interim license option for applicants with a clean BCI 'Right of Access' report, allowing them to start working while the full background check is processed.
Utah offers an interim license option with a clean BCI report.
Background checks go through both BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) and FBI.
Chemical dependency, habitual drunkenness, or court-declared incompetence are disqualifying.
Competence restoration can reverse incompetence disqualification.
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Official Sources
Security Guard requirements in Utah verified against Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), March 2026.