Armed Security Guard / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina 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 South Carolina data shows for Armed Security Guards

To practice as an armed security guard in South Carolina, the state licensing board requires 24 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 South Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Budget $74 to get started, plus $48 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

B+
Licensing Ease Score
79/100
Armed Security Guard · South Carolina

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
24 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$74
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$24/yr
$48 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 South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
24 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$74
Renewal Fee
$48
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 South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in South Carolina? ▼
In South Carolina, the license path calls for 24 education/training hours, and a $74 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina licenses armed security guards who complete its requirements (24 education hours). Verify the latest details with the South Carolina licensing board.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
For armed security guards, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Not typically reciprocal. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for armed security guard licensing in South Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $48 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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