Armed Security Guard / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Maryland data shows for Armed Security Guards

Maryland's path to armed security guard licensure runs through 56 hours of approved instruction with no mandatory state exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Maryland folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Budget $174 to get started, plus $106 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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
64/100
Armed Security Guard · Maryland

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
56 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$174
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$53/yr
$106 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 Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
56 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$174
Renewal Fee
$106
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 Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Maryland? ▼
Maryland's requirements cover 56 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $174. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Maryland? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Maryland means clearing the state's checklist: 56 hours of education. The Maryland licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Armed Security Guard licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Not typically reciprocal. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Maryland licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Maryland require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Maryland does require a background check before issuing an armed security guard license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Maryland? ▼
Maryland ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $106 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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