Armed Security Guard / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Virginia data shows for Armed Security Guards

Virginia sets the entry bar for armed security guards at 37 training hours, with no mandatory exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Virginia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

The initial price tag is $116, and renewal costs $73 every 2 years. 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
70/100
Armed Security Guard · Virginia

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
37 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$116
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$73 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 Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
37 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$116
Renewal Fee
$73
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 Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 37 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $116. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Virginia? ▼
Virginia licenses armed security guards who complete its requirements (37 education hours). Verify the latest details with the Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Virginia 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 Virginia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the armed security guard licensing process in Virginia. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Virginia? ▼
Virginia ties continued armed security guard licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $73 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

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

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

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