2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan Armed Security Guard License Requirements

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

Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Michigan data shows for Armed Security Guards

To practice as an armed security guard in Michigan, the state licensing board requires 42 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 Michigan's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Upfront cost is $131, with renewal running $81 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
68/100
Armed Security Guard · Michigan

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
42 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$131
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$41/yr
$81 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 Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
42 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$131
Renewal Fee
$81
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Michigan?
Michigan's requirements cover 42 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $131. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Michigan?
Certification as an armed security guard in Michigan means clearing the state's checklist: 42 hours of education. The Michigan licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Michigan from another state?
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for armed security guards: Not typically reciprocal. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Michigan licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Michigan require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing?
Background screening is part of the armed security guard licensing process in Michigan. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Michigan?
To stay licensed as an armed security guard in Michigan, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $81.

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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