Guides
Run a security company that holds up.
Guides and operational advice for security company owners — licensing, compliance, patrol operations, software, and comparisons.
Compare security agency license requirements in all 50 states →Starting a Company5
Starting a CompanyWhat Licenses Do You Need to Start a Security Company? (2026)The licenses, permits, insurance and training you need to start a security company — the company license vs the guard card, and how it varies by state.August 3, 2026Read →Starting a CompanySecurity Guard Card vs Company License, ExplainedA guard card licenses a person; a company license licenses a business. The difference decides whether you can work as a guard or open a security company.August 3, 2026Read →Starting a CompanySecurity Company Insurance Requirements (2026 Guide)What insurance a security company needs — general liability, workers' comp, bonds and the coverages clients actually demand, plus how minimums vary by state.August 3, 2026Read →Starting a CompanyHow to Start a Security Company (2026): 10-Step GuideHow to start a security company in 10 steps — licensing, insurance, entity, hiring and winning your first contract, with the state-by-state specifics linked.August 3, 2026Read →Starting a CompanyHow Much Does It Cost to Start a Security Company? (2026)What it really costs to start a security company — license fees, insurance, bond, entity, training and the payroll float that sinks new operators.August 3, 2026Read →
State Licensing Guides50
State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Wyoming (2026 Guide)Wyoming licenses no security companies at state level. Cheyenne's $140 guard business licence, a $10,000 bond and mandatory state-fund workers' comp are the real gates.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Wisconsin (2026 Guide)Wisconsin's $8 Private Detective/Security Agency licence from DSPS — the $100,000 bond-or-policy choice, the permit every guard needs, and 36 hours of training for armed work.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in West Virginia (2026 Guide)West Virginia licenses security guard firms through the Secretary of State: the $250 Security Guard Firm License, the 100-week qualifying agent rule and the $5,000 bond.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Washington (2026 Guide)What the Washington Department of Licensing wants for a private security guard company: principal qualification, insurance, training hours, armed endorsement.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Virginia (2026 Guide)Launching a guard company in Virginia — the DCJS Private Security Services Business License, compliance agent certification, $1M liability cover and registering every officer.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Vermont (2026 Guide)Vermont licenses guard agencies through the Secretary of State's OPR — the $390 Security Services Agency licence, the designated licensee rule and the 40-hour training path.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Utah (2026 Guide)Launching a guard company in Utah — the DOPL Contract Security Company licence, the 6,000-hour qualifying agent, insurance riders and officer training hours.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Texas (2026 Guide)How to launch a licensed security guard company in Texas — the DPS Class B licence, company representative experience, statutory insurance, and real costs.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Tennessee (2026 Guide)Tennessee licenses guard firms through TDCI Private Protective Services. Inside the Contract Security Company licence, qualifying agent rules, fees and guard cards.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in South Dakota (2026 Guide)South Dakota licenses no security company at state level. The only guard regulator is Rapid City's police chief — plus entity filing, insurance and optional workers' comp.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in South Carolina (2026 Guide)What SLED actually requires for a Contract Security Business License in South Carolina — the $350 annual fee, $10,000 bond, two-year principal rule and weapons permits.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Rhode Island (2026 Guide)Rhode Island licenses guard companies through the Attorney General's BCI — the $400 biennial Private Security Guard Business licence, insurance and badge rules.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Pennsylvania (2026 Guide)Pennsylvania has no state security licensing agency. Here is the Private Detective Act licence your county Court of Common Pleas grants, the $10,000 bond, and Act 235.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Oregon (2026 Guide)Launching a guard company in Oregon means a DPSST Private Security Entity licence, an executive manager licence, wage-payment security and DPSST cards.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Oklahoma (2026 Guide)Oklahoma licenses guard companies through CLEET — the $300 Security Agency License, its five-year term, the 40-hour guard course, armed rules and liability coverage.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Ohio (2026 Guide)Ohio licenses guard companies through ODPS PISGS — the Class C provider licence, a 4,000-hour qualifying agent, the Columbus exam, insurance and armed guard rules.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in North Dakota (2026 Guide)North Dakota's Private Investigation and Security Board puts the agency licence behind commissioned officer rank. Fees, the 124-hour ladder and the equivalency route.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in North Carolina (2026 Guide)What the NC Private Protective Services Board actually requires for a Security Guard and Patrol license — qualifying agent hours, fees, insurance and guard registration.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in New York (2026 Guide)How to launch a licensed security guard company in New York — the DOS Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency licence, the walk-in exam, bond, insurance and real costs.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in New Mexico (2026 Guide)What it takes to run a licensed guard company in New Mexico — the RLD private patrol company licence, the 4,000-hour operator rule and the three security guard levels.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in New Jersey (2026 Guide)The Security Officer Company licence from the NJ State Police Private Detective Unit — five years of owner experience, a $5,000 bond and 24-hour SORA training.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in New Hampshire (2026 Guide)New Hampshire licenses guard companies under RSA 106-F. The State Police security guard agency licence is $350, the surety bond $50,000, and no experience is required.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Nevada (2026 Guide)Nevada's PILB wants 10,000 hours before it licenses a private patrol officer, plus a quarterly written exam, $500 a year per category and $200,000 of cover.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Nebraska (2026 Guide)Nebraska issues no security guard company licence. The Secretary of State licenses detectives only — so entity filing, newspaper notice and insurance are the real gates.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Montana (2026 Guide)Montana licenses guard companies as Private Security Firms through the Department of Labor & Industry. No qualifying agent, no exam, $250, and 16 hours of guard training.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Missouri (2026 Guide)Missouri issues no statewide guard company licence. Kansas City's police board, the St. Louis Metropolitan License and a $50 Springfield permit decide whether you can work.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Mississippi (2026 Guide)Mississippi licenses no guard company. What it does license: a $132 DPS security guard firearm permit per armed officer, and alarm and CCTV work under the Fire Marshal.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Minnesota (2026 Guide)Minnesota's Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services licences Protective Agents — 6,000 documented hours, a $10,000 bond and a 20-day public posting.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Michigan (2026 Guide)Michigan licenses guard companies through LARA as a Security Guard Agency — $300 for two years, a $25,000 bond, five references and two county officials who must sign off.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Massachusetts (2026 Guide)Massachusetts licenses guard firms as a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency through the State Police: $550, a $5,000 bond, no exam, and no mandated guard training.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Maryland (2026 Guide)What a Maryland Security Guard Agency License takes: the six sworn-service routes in § 19-303, State Police fees, tiered insurance, and certifying guards.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Maine (2026 Guide)Maine licenses the company, not the guard. Get the State Police Contract Security Company License: the $400 fee, the agent rule, the bond, and no exam at all.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Louisiana (2026 Guide)Getting a Company License from the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners — the three-year experience rule, $500,000 insurance, fees and guard training.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Kentucky (2026 Guide)Kentucky issues no state security guard company licence. Here is what really governs you — KRS 329A, Secretary of State filing, Louisville and Lexington occupational licences.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Kansas (2026 Guide)Kansas has no state security guard company licence — the Attorney General licenses private detectives only. What you actually need: an entity, insurance, and city permits.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Iowa (2026 Guide)Iowa licenses guard companies under Code ch. 80A for $100 a biennium — a $5,000 bond, zero mandated training hours, and a badge the commissioner has to approve first.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Indiana (2026 Guide)Indiana's Security Guard Agency licence, issued by the PLA's Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board — 4,000 verified hours, $300, no exam, no guard cards.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Illinois (2026 Guide)Illinois licenses guard companies through IDFPR as a Private Security Contractor Agency. The exam, the three-year manager rule, PERC cards, insurance and every fee.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Idaho (2026 Guide)Idaho has no statewide security licence. Boise charges $180.25 for a private patrol company licence, Meridian charges nothing, and Nampa wants a $10,000 bond.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Hawaii (2026 Guide)Hawaii's Board of Private Detectives and Guards licenses Guard Agencies — a principal guard with four years' experience, the PSI exam, a $5,000 bond, 12 training hours.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Georgia (2026 Guide)Getting a Private Security Business License from the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies — fees, the PSI exam, bond options, timeline.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Florida (2026 Guide)How to launch a licensed security guard company in Florida — the FDACS Class "B" agency licence, Class "MB" manager, Class "D" and "G" officers, and real costs.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Delaware (2026 Guide)Running a guard company in Delaware: the State Police Class B agency licence, the owner-only licence holder rule, the $10,000 bond and the quarterly Board meeting.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Connecticut (2026 Guide)Launching a licensed guard company in Connecticut: the DESPP Security Service licence, the five-year supervisory rule, a $10,000 bond, and 8-hour guard cards.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Colorado (2026 Guide)Colorado licenses no security company and, since 2020, no private investigator either. Denver's Excise and Licenses regime under DRMC Article V is the one that matters.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Arkansas (2026 Guide)What the Class B security services contractor licence from Arkansas State Police actually takes — the manager rule, $500,000 liability, fees, and armed commissions.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Arizona (2026 Guide)How to earn an Arizona Security Guard Agency License from AZ DPS — the qualifying party's three years, agency name approval, $100K/$300K cover and the 16-hour armed course.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Alaska (2026 Guide)Alaska licenses guard agencies through the Department of Public Safety under AS 18.65.400. The $200 agency licence, 13 AAC 60 insurance limits and the 40-hour training clock.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in Alabama (2026 Guide)Alabama licenses contract security firms through the Security Regulatory Board — qualifying agent, $2M cover filed with the board, and a fixed 30 September expiry.August 3, 2026Read →State Licensing GuidesHow To Start A Security Company in California (2026 Guide)How to start a licensed security company in California — Qualified Manager rules, entity setup, insurance minimums, the BSIS PPO application and patch approval.November 2, 2025Read →
Comparisons6
ComparisonsTrackTik vs Silvertrac (2026): Full Comparison + AlternativeTrackTik vs Silvertrac compared — pricing, features, ownership, and reviews. Plus why they're now the same company, and the transparent-pricing alternative.August 3, 2026Read →ComparisonsTrackTik Alternatives for Security Companies (2026)Looking for a TrackTik alternative? What to compare, why smaller operators switch, and how Safetrac compares — with public pricing and free migration.August 3, 2026Read →ComparisonsSilvertrac Alternatives for Security Companies (2026)Looking for a Silvertrac alternative? What to compare, why operators switch, and how Safetrac stacks up — with public pricing and free migration.August 3, 2026Read →ComparisonsDestiny Software Alternatives (2026): Options ComparedThe best Destiny Software alternatives for security patrols — how Destiny compares to Safetrac, Silvertrac, TrackTik and Belfry on features, pricing and fit.August 3, 2026Read →ComparisonsBest Security Guard Management Software (2026 Buyer's Guide)How to choose the best security guard management software — the features that matter, the pricing traps to avoid, and how the main platforms compare.August 3, 2026Read →ComparisonsBelfry Alternatives (2026): 5 Options ComparedThe best Belfry alternatives for security companies — how Belfry compares to Safetrac, TrackTik, Silvertrac and Destiny on features, pricing and fit.August 3, 2026Read →
Software & Tools4
Software & ToolsSecurity Incident Reporting Software: What to Look ForWhat security incident reporting software does, the features that make a report hold up, and how to choose a system that protects you in a dispute.August 3, 2026Read →Software & ToolsSecurity Guard Tracking Software: What to Look ForWhat security guard tracking software does, the features that actually matter, and how to choose a system that proves your guards were where they should be.August 3, 2026Read →Software & ToolsGuard Tour Systems: What They Are & How to Choose (2026)What a guard tour system is, how QR and GPS checkpoint scanning proves patrols, and how to choose one that gives you defensible proof of presence.August 3, 2026Read →Software & ToolsDaily Activity Report (DAR) Software for Security GuardsWhat daily activity report software does, why automated DARs win contracts, and how to choose one that generates the client's report without manual writing.August 3, 2026Read →