Armed Security Guard Companies
Before hiring armed guards, verify two things separately: the company's license and each officer's armed credential. Rules vary by state, so use the state's own lookup.
Two separate checks
1. The company
Is it licensed to provide guards in your state? Use the state lookup below with its legal name, not its brand name.
2. The individual officer
Does each person hold the armed credential your state requires? Ask for it by name and number, then check it.
| State | Who regulates | What we confirmed | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | FDACS Division of Licensing | Agencies need a Class B license, valid for one location. Security officers need a Class D license. | Check license |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania State Police | Act 235 lethal weapons training certification applies to privately employed armed agents. | Read Act 235 steps |
| Tennessee | Commerce and Insurance, Private Protective Services | Regulates armed and unarmed guards and contract security companies. | Read the program page |
| New Hampshire | State Police Permits and Licensing | Handles armed and unarmed security guard licenses. | Read the unit page |
| California | Bureau of Security and Investigative Services | Licenses private patrol operators and offers a license search. | Check license |
| Texas | Department of Public Safety | Regulates the private security profession and offers license search. | Check license |
Beyond the license
- Insurance: Ask for a certificate naming coverage for armed work, then confirm with the insurer.
- Supervision: Who checks on officers, how often, and who is on call?
- Use-of-force policy: Ask to read it.
- Incident reporting: How fast do you get a written report after any use or display of a weapon?
- Requalification: How does the company track firearm training?
Unsure you need weapons at all? Compare with unarmed coverage.
Companies with armed guard pages
Credential checks by city
See how license checks work in Miami, Philadelphia, and Memphis.