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

South Dakota 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 Dakota data shows for Armed Security Guards

Becoming a licensed armed security guard in South Dakota means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 14 training hours, no state exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. South Dakota regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

Upfront cost is $43, with renewal running $31 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

A-
Licensing Ease Score
84/100
Armed Security Guard · South 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
14 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$43
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$16/yr
$31 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 Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
14 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$43
Renewal Fee
$31
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 Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 14 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $43. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in South Dakota? ▼
To become a licensed armed security guard in South Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements including 14 hours of education. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to South Dakota 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 Dakota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for armed security guard licensing in South Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $31 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.