Armed Security Guard / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Arkansas data shows for Armed Security Guards

Becoming a licensed armed security guard in Arkansas means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 26 training hours, no state exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Arkansas regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

The initial price tag is $80, and renewal costs $52 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For armed security guards, the reciprocity picture is: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
78/100
Armed Security Guard · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
26 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B
$80
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$26/yr
$52 every 2 years
Continuing Education B+
4.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
26 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$80
Renewal Fee
$52
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Armed Security Guard All Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas requires 26 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $80. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas licenses armed security guards who complete its requirements (26 education hours). Verify the latest details with the Arkansas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for armed security guards nationally works like this: Not typically reciprocal. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Arkansas. Verify the specifics with the Arkansas licensing board.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Yes, Arkansas requires a criminal background check as part of the armed security guard licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $52 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

Armed Security Guard in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an armed security guard-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Arkansas's armed security guard requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Armed Security Guard in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state armed security guard license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Arkansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Arkansas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.