Louisiana Security License
Louisiana security licensing at a glance
Last verified October 20, 2026. Every fact below is taken from the state's own agency, statute or rule — the sources are linked under each one.
- Regulator
Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners (LSBPSE) - https://www.lsbpse.com/
- Company licence
Company License (private/contract security company license), one-year term. Applicant/qualifying agent must pass the board's Owner's Exam; company must be registered and in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
lsbpse.com/feeslsbpse.com/faq-company-owners-1doa.louisiana.gov
- Qualifying manager
The applicant or qualifying agent must have 3 years of consecutive experience as an employee, manager or owner of a security company, or 3 years as a law enforcement officer with a federal, state, local or U.S. military law enforcement agency (R.S. 37:3276(F)), and must hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent work experience. A board examination covering the Act, the board's rules and the profession is required for an initial company licence, for reinstating a licence inactive for 5 years, and for a new qualifying agent at an existing company; the passing score is 70 percent and a failed applicant may reapply to sit it twice within six months. The qualifying agent must intend to hold the supervisory position on a regular full-time basis — part-time only if requested in writing and approved by the board — and may not act as qualifying agent for more than one licensed company.
- Fees
Company license: $500 initial; $410 renewal. Security officer (guard) registration: $75 initial; $65 renewal. Company/instructor examination: $60. Status change/transfer/reinstatement: $30. All nonrefundable. Set by Acts 2025, No. 309 (HB 157); board states effective August 1, 2025. Statute adds a 4% increase every two years beginning July 1, 2027.
- Insurance or bond
General liability insurance at the limits set by R.S. 37:3276, evidenced by an ACORD certificate naming the State of Louisiana as an additional insured, with coverage for hiring, training and retention; errors and omissions; care, custody and control; authorised less-lethal tools, impact weapons and restraint devices; and firearms or canine teams where applicable. Workers' compensation insurance is required of every contract security company except a sole proprietorship employing only its owner or a partnership employing only its partners. Any company using vehicles in its security operations must carry commercial automotive insurance meeting the state's minimum liability limits. No surety bond requirement found.
- Guard training
Under the rules effective 20 October 2026, unarmed officers complete 16 classroom hours — an 8-hour S.O.S.T. 1101 course and an 8-hour S.O.S.T. 1102 course — both before the first work assignment. Each course ends in a 50-question exam with a 70 percent passing score and two attempts; a second failure means repeating the course. A 4-hour S.O.S.T. 1401 course counts as equivalent basic classroom training for officers registered in a state with similar requirements, for qualifying law enforcement officers, and for current or former officers taking it as a refresher. Armed officers must also complete classroom firearms training, a written exam at 70 percent, and a board-approved proficiency course in the specific authorised weapon before any armed assignment, then an annual firearms refresher; firearms training expires one calendar year from the date last completed.
irp.cdn-website.comlsbpse.com/security-officer-regi…lsbpse.com/rules-and-statutes
- Less-lethal training
The only authorised less-lethal tools, impact weapons and restraint devices are the PR-24 baton, expandable baton, handheld conducted energy device, OC spray and handcuffs. The PR-24 baton, expandable baton, conducted energy device and OC spray each require at least 8 hours of initial board-approved training before the tool is carried on a work assignment. Handcuffs require at least 4 hours. Refreshers: 4 hours annually for both batons, recertification every 2 years for a conducted energy device, and a 4-hour handcuff refresher every 3 years.
- Guard registration
Individual security officer registration (separate from the company license): $75 initial / $65 renewal, valid two years; the officer cannot work until issued a registration card showing company name and dates; a licensed company must accept the officer's affiliation.
- Processing time
The board must issue the license or notify of denial within 60 days after receipt of an application (R.S. 37:3277(A)(2)); company applications are reviewed at the board's quarterly meetings.
- Renewal
Company licence: expires the last day of the month one year after the date of issuance. Security officer registration: valid from issuance through 31 March of the second year, renewed every two years on or before 31 March. Renewing after 31 March costs one and a half times the standard renewal fee, and a registration not renewed by 1 June requires a new initial application with fresh fingerprints.
irp.cdn-website.comlsbpse.com/faq-company-owners-1lsbpse.com/rules-and-statutes
- Statute
La. R.S. 37:3270-3299 (Private Security Regulatory and Licensing Law); Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46, Part LIX.
- Official forms
There is no downloadable company application. A licensing information package is obtained by submitting a written request to the board that states the requester's name, address, email and phone number; the application is then submitted through the board's online licensing portal at https://www.lsbpselicense.com/lms/public/portal#/login together with the applicable fees. The board does not accept mailed paper company applications. Other forms: https://www.lsbpse.com/Forms-and-Resources
irp.cdn-website.comlsbpse.com/faq-company-owners-1lsbpse.com/Forms-and-Resources
Requirements change. Confirm anything you are about to act on with the agency itself before you apply, hire or train.
Licensing information is available from the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners.
Click below for information regarding a Louisiana security license.
Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners
15703 Old Hammond Hwy
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 272-2310
Email: info@LSBPSE.com
Starting a security company in Louisiana requires obtaining a security license, which is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to offer security services. If you’re considering starting a security company in Louisiana, you need to understand the state’s regulations regarding security licenses and the requirements you need to meet to obtain one.
The Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners (LSBPSE) is responsible for regulating the private security industry in Louisiana. The LSBPSE has established guidelines and regulations for security companies, including the requirements for obtaining a security license.
To proceed, visit the link above and submit a license application and pay the required fees. The LSBPSE reviews each license application and may request additional information before issuing a license.
Starting a security company in Louisiana requires careful planning and preparation. It’s essential to understand the state’s regulations regarding security licenses and to ensure that you meet all the requirements for obtaining a license. By following the guidelines established by the LSBPSE, you can start a successful security company in Louisiana and provide valuable security services to your clients.
The paperwork you need next
A licence lets you operate in Louisiana. Winning and keeping clients takes documents — a contract your client will sign, procedures your officers follow, and a handbook your employees acknowledge. Each is available on its own:
- security services contract template — Professionally written service contract that limits liability and binds the engagement.
- security company SOP manual — Your key to limiting liability — a guided hand for emergencies and daily operations.
- security employee handbook — Without a handbook, “past practice” becomes policy as a matter of law.
- security services proposal template — Avoid the painstaking task of proposal writing — the proposal that wins contracts.
- security subcontractor agreement — For engaging independent contractors and other licensed companies for contract work.