Armed Security Guard / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana 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 Montana data shows for Armed Security Guards

To practice as an armed security guard in Montana, the state licensing board requires 62 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 Montana's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Budget $195 to get started, plus $118 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Armed Security Guard · Montana

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
62 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$195
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$59/yr
$118 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
62 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$195
Renewal Fee
$118
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Montana? ▼
Montana's requirements cover 62 hours of education or training, and an initial fee of $195. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Montana? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Montana means clearing the state's checklist: 62 hours of education. The Montana licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Montana 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 Montana licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Montana require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for armed security guard licensing in Montana. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Montana? ▼
To stay licensed as an armed security guard in Montana, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $118.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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