Armed Security Guard / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Colorado data shows for Armed Security Guards

To practice as an armed security guard in Colorado, the state licensing board requires 69 documented education or training hours, no mandatory state exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Colorado's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

The initial price tag is $217, and renewal costs $131 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.

On reciprocity, armed security guards should know: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
61/100
Armed Security Guard · Colorado

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
69 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$217
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$66/yr
$131 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 Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
69 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$217
Renewal Fee
$131
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 Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Colorado? ▼
In Colorado, the license path calls for 69 education/training hours, and a $217 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Colorado? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Colorado means clearing the state's checklist: 69 hours of education. The Colorado licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Colorado 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 Colorado. Verify the specifics with the Colorado licensing board.
Does Colorado require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Yes, Colorado 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 Colorado? ▼
Colorado ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $131 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

  • See how Colorado'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 Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado 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.