Maine Security Guard License: How-To

To get a security guard license in Maine, you don’t apply for an individual “guard card.” Instead, get hired by a licensed Contract Security Company or start your own company through the Maine State Police. The company is licensed annually, and it vets each guard’s eligibility.

Requirements last verified: 2026-09-25

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Maine State Police, Division of Weapons & Professional Licensing (Contract Security). Forms and instructions are posted under “Professional Investigator and Contract Security Licenses.” Official site.
Who is licensed	Maine licenses the Contract Security Company. Individual guards work for a licensed company and must meet statutory qualifications. 32 M.R.S. §9404; §9410‑A.
Initial fees (company)	$121 with application ($100 app + $21 State Bureau of Identification record check); $300 due upon license issuance. MSP Contract Security Company Application.
Renewal fees (company)	$221 each year ($200 renewal + $21 SBI check). Statute sets a one‑year term; MSP lists the current payable amounts. 32 M.R.S. §9408; MSP form.
Bond/insurance	Surety bond required: $10,000 for Maine residents; $50,000 for nonresidents. Filed with the Commissioner. 32 M.R.S. §9409.
Minimum age (guard)	18 years old, plus additional character/record criteria. 32 M.R.S. §9410‑A(1).
Experience/training (guard)	No state experience hours or state exam specified for guards in statute; employer must complete a background investigation and certify eligibility. 32 M.R.S. §9410‑A.
Exam	No state exam for guards or for the company license. See guard qualifications and company application. §9410‑A; MSP application.
Renewal cycle	Annual company renewal. 32 M.R.S. §9408.
Processing time	MSP indicates typical processing of 6–8 weeks for new company applications. MSP instructions letter.

How to get a security guard license in Maine

1. Choose your path: Most applicants get hired by an already‑licensed Contract Security Company. If you plan to operate independently, you must license a company with the Maine State Police. §9404.
2. If seeking employment as a guard: Verify the employer is a licensed Contract Security Company and complete hiring paperwork. The licensee must investigate your background and certify you meet all qualifications; a statement is filed with MSP within 60 days. §9410‑A(2).
3. If starting a company: Submit the Contract Security Company application with $121 (includes SBI check); on approval, pay $300 issuance. MSP application; typical processing 6–8 weeks (MSP letter).
4. File your bond: Provide a surety bond ($10,000 resident / $50,000 nonresident) to the Commissioner before operating. §9409.
5. Maintain compliance: Keep required employee lists and background certifications; ensure guards continue to meet statutory standards. §9405; §9410‑A.
6. Renew annually: Pay $221 (renewal + SBI check) each year and keep your bond active. §9408; MSP form.

Understanding how to get a security guard license in Maine

Unlike many states, Maine centralizes licensing at the company level. A person may not act as a security guard unless there is a licensed Contract Security Company in place; that company is responsible for vetting and reporting each guard’s eligibility to the Maine State Police. 32 M.R.S. §9404; §9410‑A.

Maine security guard qualifications (what employers must check)

• Age 18+ and U.S. citizen or resident alien;
• No disqualifying criminal history or recent dishonorable discharge; and
• Other character/record criteria listed in statute.

Employers must complete a background investigation and submit a signed statement that the employee meets all requirements—within 60 days of the guard beginning security duties. 32 M.R.S. §9410‑A.

Fees and costs for a Maine Contract Security Company

Expect $121 with the application and $300 upon issuance; renewal is $221 annually. See the state’s current form for the exact payable amounts and remittance details. MSP application; §9408. For a plain‑English breakdown of out‑of‑pocket items (fees, bonding, typical employer costs), compare our guide to Security Guard License Cost in Maine.

Bonding and renewal

Before operating, the company must file a surety bond—$10,000 for residents and $50,000 for nonresidents—and renew its license every year. 32 M.R.S. §9409; §9408.

Interested in investigative work, too?

Maine regulates Professional Investigators under a separate chapter with its own qualifications and insurance rules. If your business model blends guarding with investigations, review our step‑by‑step guide to the Private Investigator Maine License before expanding services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an individual security guard license in Maine?

No. Maine licenses Contract Security Companies, not individual guards. To work as a guard, you must be employed by a licensed company that verifies you meet statutory qualifications and files the required background certification with the state. 32 M.R.S. §9404; §9410‑A.

What are the minimum guard qualifications?

At minimum: age 18; U.S. citizen or resident alien; no disqualifying crimes; no recent dishonorable discharge; and other character standards. The employer must investigate and certify eligibility within 60 days of you starting guard duties. 32 M.R.S. §9410‑A.

Is there a state exam or required training for guards?

State law does not require a guard exam or mandate specific training hours for basic employment. Employers may set training standards and site‑specific qualifications. Review the statutory guard qualifications for what the state checks. 32 M.R.S. §9410‑A.

How long does it take to license a Contract Security Company?

The Maine State Police indicate typical processing of 6–8 weeks for new company applications, not counting mail time or corrections. MSP instructions letter.

What are the exact state fees to start and renew?

New application: $121 due at filing ($100 application + $21 SBI record check), then $300 due upon issuance. Renewal: $221 each year ($200 renewal + $21 SBI). Term is one year. MSP application; 32 M.R.S. §9408.

Ready to move forward? License Navigator builds exact‑step checklists, tracks due dates, and keeps your Maine security licensing on time—so you can focus on hiring and contracts.