Armed Security Guard / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Armed Security Guard License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the North Dakota data shows for Armed Security Guards

North Dakota's path to armed security guard licensure runs through 16 hours of approved instruction with no mandatory state exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Upfront cost is $49, with renewal running $34 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

A-
Licensing Ease Score
83/100
Armed Security Guard · North Dakota

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
16 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$49
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$17/yr
$34 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
16 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$49
Renewal Fee
$34
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 North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires 16 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $49. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in North Dakota?
Certification as an armed security guard in North Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 16 hours of education. The North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to North Dakota 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 North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing?
Yes, North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
To stay licensed as an armed security guard in North Dakota, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $34.

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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