Arkansas Security Guard License Requirements

In Arkansas, security officers are regulated by the Arkansas State Police through its Regulatory Services Division and the Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, under Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 40. There are two individual credentials: a registered security officer (unarmed) and a commissioned security officer (armed). The statute leaves training details to the Director of the State Police, and the Board’s rules set a short classroom requirement for unarmed officers and firearms training with range qualification for commissioned officers. This guide covers both credentials, the training topics, fees, background rules and your legal authority.

Registered vs. commissioned security officer

	Registered security officer	Commissioned security officer
Carries a firearm?	No	Yes
Minimum age	18	21
Training topics	Legal authority, Arkansas law and rules, note taking and report writing	All of the above + range firing and procedure, handgun safety and maintenance, legal limits on firearm use
Testing	Each topic tested	Each topic tested + range qualification
Background check	Arkansas State Police and FBI fingerprints	Same, with stricter felony rule

What the law requires

Arkansas Code §17-40-208 directs the State Police Director to set minimum training. For private security officers, training must cover the legal limitations on the use of firearms and on the officer’s powers and authority, familiarity with the security law, and field note-taking and report writing. For commissioned security officers, it must also cover range firing and procedure, and handgun safety and maintenance. The Board’s rules fill in hours and testing.

Who can be registered or commissioned

• At least 18 for a registered security officer and 21 for a commissioned officer.
• Fingerprints for checks by the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau and the FBI.
• A notarized application and release of information form, with two passport-style photos.
• Proof of lawful status for applicants born outside the U.S. (naturalization papers, permanent resident card or work permit).
• Disclosure of all pending charges and convictions, with certified court documents for any convictions.

Criminal history

Commissioned (armed) officers must have no felony convictions unless pardoned, and must not have done anything that would lead to revocation or suspension under the Act. Armed officers must also be legally able to possess firearms under federal law. For registered (unarmed) officers, the State Police review convictions and pending charges and can deny registration for offenses that bear on fitness for security work. Arkansas allows sealing of some records; a sealed record is generally treated as if it never happened for most purposes. If you have a record, check with the Regulatory Services Division before paying for training.

The training

Registered (unarmed) officers

The unarmed training covers three areas: the legal authority of private security officers, Arkansas rules and regulations for private security, and note taking and report writing. Published summaries of the Board’s rules describe two hours of instruction in each area, with a test on each. A Board-approved trainer or training administrator signs off on each content area. It is a short course, so use your first weeks on the job to learn your site’s procedures thoroughly.

Commissioned (armed) officers

Commissioned officers add training in weapons and safety, the legal limits on the use of firearms, and marksmanship and range safety, with an exam on each topic and a qualification on the range. Ask your trainer how many hours the course runs and what range score is required, and confirm the requalification schedule with your employer.

How to apply, step by step

1. Get hired by a licensed Arkansas security agency (or a company that employs its own officers).
2. Complete the required training with a Board-approved trainer, plus firearms training and qualification if commissioned.
3. Complete the notarized application and release form, with two passport-style photos and any certified court documents.
4. Submit fingerprints for the State Police and FBI background checks.
5. Pay the fees and submit through your employer to the Regulatory Services Division.
6. Receive your registration or commission card and carry it on duty.

What it costs

Fee	Amount
Registration or commission (commonly listed)	$40
State and FBI background check (commonly listed)	$37.75
Training	Set by the trainer
Firearms course and range (commissioned)	Set by the trainer

These amounts come from published summaries of the State Police fee schedule. Confirm current fees with the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division (501-618-8600) before you apply. Many employers pay them.

Your authority in Arkansas

Registration or commissioning does not make you a law enforcement officer. Arkansas allows a private person to arrest for a felony in limited circumstances, and a mistaken arrest can lead to criminal charges and lawsuits. In retail, Arkansas law protects a merchant or the merchant’s employee who detains a suspected shoplifter with reasonable cause, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time, to investigate or recover merchandise. Most security posts are observe-and-report, and your post orders control what you may do. Write a report every time you act.

Renewal

Registrations and commissions must be renewed periodically, and the background check is repeated at renewal. Your employer usually handles the paperwork. Track your expiration date yourself, and for commissioned officers, keep your firearms qualification current.

Choosing a trainer and employer

Ask whether the employer is licensed by the Arkansas Board, whether it pays your registration and background check fees, who its approved trainer is, and whether it offers a path to commissioned (armed) work. Jobs are concentrated in Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale), Fort Smith and Jonesboro, with demand from retail and corporate headquarters, distribution centers, hospitals, universities and events.

Getting ready for your first post

With a short required course, preparation is up to you. Ask for your post orders in writing, learn the site’s emergency procedures and contacts, and practice clear reports; our incident report template shows the structure. First aid, CPR and AED certification and a de-escalation course are worth adding. Arkansas summers are hot and humid and winters can bring ice storms; prepare your gear accordingly with help from our equipment list.

Learning beyond the minimum

Arkansas’s required unarmed training covers the essentials in a few hours. Officers who move up quickly usually add:

• De-escalation and conflict management. Most incidents can be resolved by talking. See our de-escalation guide.
• First aid, CPR, AED and stop-the-bleed. You are often the first person on scene.
• Access control and alarm systems. Corporate campuses and distribution centers rely on badge systems, cameras and alarm panels.
• Loss prevention basics if you want retail work; our loss prevention guide explains the role.
• Defensive tactics from a qualified instructor, especially before moving to commissioned work.

Corporate and retail security in Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is home to major corporate headquarters, suppliers and a large logistics network, which creates steady demand for security officers at offices, data centers, warehouses and events. These employers often expect polished customer service, strong report writing and comfort with technology, and they may add their own background checks and training. A clean record, a professional appearance and reliable attendance go a long way, and many officers use these posts as a step toward corporate security, investigations or management roles.

Whatever path you choose, keep a simple career file: your registration or commission card, training sign-off sheets, certifications, evaluations and any commendations. Arkansas employers and clients often ask for proof of training during audits, and a complete file helps when you apply for supervisor, commissioned or corporate roles.

If you plan to become commissioned later, start practicing marksmanship and firearm safety with a qualified instructor early, and make sure your record and your ability to possess firearms are clear before you invest in the course.

Moving to Arkansas from another state

Arkansas does not accept other states’ guard cards. You need Arkansas registration or a commission, with Arkansas training. Prior experience helps you get hired and may speed up training with your employer.

Common reasons applications stall

• A missing notarization on the application or release form.
• No certified court documents for a disclosed conviction.
• Missing proof of lawful status for applicants born outside the U.S.
• A felony without a pardon, for commissioned applicants.
• Training signed off by a trainer who is not Board-approved.