Wyoming Security Guard License Requirements

Wyoming has no state license for security guards, security firms or private investigators. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation confirms that the state does not license these businesses and that some municipalities regulate them through local ordinances. For individual guards, that means there is usually no card to apply for, no required state training and no state fee. Your employer, your clients and any local rules set the standards. This guide covers city-level rules (such as Cheyenne’s business licensing), what employers require, armed work, and your legal authority in Wyoming.

How security work is regulated in Wyoming

Wyoming is one of the few states with no statewide security licensing at all. A security company doing business in Wyoming registers with the Secretary of State like any other business and handles any revenue requirements, but there is no state security license. Some cities regulate security businesses locally, so a company and its guards may face city requirements depending on where they work.

	Individual guard	Security company
State license	None	None
City requirements	Usually none for individuals; check locally	Some cities (e.g., Cheyenne) require a business license, bond and insurance
Background check	By employer	By employer/city as applicable
Training	Set by employer	Responsible for training its staff

Cheyenne’s security business license

Cheyenne regulates detective and patrol or guard service businesses under Chapter 5.48 of its Municipal Code. According to bonding industry guidance on the ordinance, a security guard business must hold a city license renewed every year, maintain a $10,000 surety bond, and carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $200,000 in aggregate; the application fee has been reported at $140. The business application includes proof of age and a recent photograph. The ordinance focuses on the business; ask the Cheyenne City Clerk whether any individual registration applies to guards. Other Wyoming cities, such as Casper, may have their own rules, so check with the city clerk where you will work.

What employers usually require

• Minimum age of 18 (often 21 for armed or bar posts).
• A criminal background check and drug screen.
• A valid driver’s license for patrol positions.
• Employer orientation and site training before working alone.
• For hospitals, schools, government, energy and industrial clients: additional training such as de-escalation, first aid, CPR, AED and site safety.

Because there is no state disqualification list, each employer decides how to treat criminal records. Wyoming allows expungement of some offenses; ask an attorney if an older record is holding you back.

Armed security work

Wyoming has no state armed-guard license. Wyoming allows permitless concealed carry for adults 21 and older who may legally possess firearms, and it still issues concealed firearm permits, which many employers prefer because they document a background check and training. Employers decide whether a post is armed and set firearms training and qualification standards. Some locations restrict firearms regardless of permits, including federal property, which is common in Wyoming. Get your employer’s firearm policy in writing.

Your authority in Wyoming

Security guards in Wyoming have the same arrest authority as any private person. Wyoming law allows a private person to arrest for a felony, or for certain offenses committed in their presence, but mistakes carry criminal and civil liability. Wyoming also protects merchants and their employees who detain suspected shoplifters with reasonable cause, in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time. Most employers’ post orders are observe-and-report; follow them and write a report every time you act.

How to start working security in Wyoming

1. Check your record so there are no surprises.
2. Get basic certifications on your own: first aid, CPR, AED and de-escalation.
3. Apply to security companies and in-house departments in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, Rock Springs and Jackson.
4. Complete the employer’s screening and training.
5. For armed posts, meet the employer’s firearms requirements and consider a concealed firearm permit.

Costs

There is no state fee for security guards in Wyoming. Employers usually pay for background checks and drug screens. Your costs are typically limited to optional certifications and, for armed work, firearms training and a concealed firearm permit if your employer requires it.

Energy, mining and remote posts

Wyoming’s oil, gas, coal, trona and wind energy sites, along with pipelines and rail facilities, employ security officers for access control and patrol across large, remote areas. These posts often involve long shifts, vehicle patrols, extreme wind and winter weather, wildlife, and long response times for police and EMS. Employers may add safety training, drug testing and vehicle requirements. Confirm your communication plan, check-in schedule and emergency procedures before you accept a remote post.

Tourism and seasonal security

Jackson Hole, Yellowstone gateway towns, Cheyenne Frontier Days, rodeos and university athletics create seasonal demand for event and venue security. Event work is a good entry point, but expect crowds, alcohol and long hours. Focus on crowd management, guest service and calm communication, and leave arrests to police. Our guide to de-escalation covers the most useful skills.

Standing out without a state license

• First aid, CPR, AED and stop-the-bleed, especially for rural and remote posts.
• Report writing practice with our incident report template.
• Knowledge of your limits. Read our guide on whether security guards can detain people.
• A guard card or training from another state shows a training baseline.
• The right gear. Wyoming wind and winter demand serious clothing; see our cold-weather gear guide.

Questions to ask an employer

• What training will I receive before working alone, and is it paid?
• Do you hold any city licenses required where I will work?
• Is the post observe-and-report, and what is your use-of-force policy?
• Do you carry liability insurance that covers officers?
• For remote posts: what is the check-in procedure and emergency plan?

Career paths

Many Wyoming officers start at events, retail or energy sites and move into hospital, campus, federal or corporate security, supervision, or law enforcement. Keep a file of your certifications, evaluations and commendations; with no state license, it is your professional record and the best proof of your experience when you apply for better posts.

Handling common situations within your limits

• Trespass: ask the person to leave on behalf of the owner. If they refuse, step back, keep observing and call police. Note the time, a description and what was said.
• Theft: observe and report. Leave detentions to the merchant’s own employees and police unless your post orders clearly authorize them and the law supports it.
• Intoxicated or aggressive people: keep a safe distance, speak calmly, call for backup and police, and never use chokeholds or put weight on someone’s back.
• Medical calls: call 911, give first aid within your training and guide responders. In rural areas, send someone to meet the ambulance at the road.
• Severe weather: follow the site plan for blizzards, high winds and lightning; move people to shelter and account for staff.

After every incident, write a clear, factual report while the details are fresh. In a state with no licensing, your reports are the best evidence that you acted professionally.

Federal and government posts

Wyoming hosts military installations, federal land agencies, national parks and energy facilities on federal land. Contract security at these sites usually requires federal background investigations, contract-specific training, physical fitness or medical standards and, for armed posts, firearms qualification to federal standards. These jobs typically pay more and offer stability, but hiring takes longer. A clean record, good credit, solid work history and complete training records help.

Wyoming’s small towns mean employers often know each other, and your reputation travels. Show up on time, write clear reports, treat the public with respect and keep your certifications current. Those habits lead to supervisor roles, better-paying industrial and federal posts, and strong references if you move into law enforcement or corporate security later.

If you work in more than one Wyoming city, ask each city clerk whether local rules apply to your employer or to you. Requirements differ, and it is your employer’s responsibility to hold any business license, but knowing the rules protects you too.

Moving to Wyoming from another state

There is no Wyoming license to transfer into. Your previous license, training and experience are your strongest selling points. If you were armed elsewhere, check Wyoming’s firearm laws and your new employer’s policy before carrying.