Armed Security Guard / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Minnesota data shows for Armed Security Guards

Minnesota's path to armed security guard licensure runs through 33 hours of approved instruction with no mandatory state exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Minnesota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Budget $104 to get started, plus $66 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Armed Security Guard · Minnesota

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
33 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$104
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$33/yr
$66 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
33 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$104
Renewal Fee
$66
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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota's requirements cover 33 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $104. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota licenses armed security guards who complete its requirements (33 education hours). Verify the latest details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Minnesota 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 Minnesota. Verify the specifics with the Minnesota licensing board.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for armed security guard licensing in Minnesota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Minnesota? ▼
Licensed armed security guards in Minnesota must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $66.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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