Armed Security Guard / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania data shows for Armed Security Guards

Pennsylvania's path to armed security guard licensure runs through 49 hours of approved instruction with no mandatory state exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Pennsylvania folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Budget $153 to get started, plus $94 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
65/100
Armed Security Guard · Pennsylvania

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
49 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$153
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$47/yr
$94 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
49 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$153
Renewal Fee
$94
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 49 education/training hours, and a $153 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Pennsylvania? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Pennsylvania means clearing the state's checklist: 49 hours of education. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Yes, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania? ▼
Licensed armed security guards in Pennsylvania must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $94.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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