Get a Security Guard License in

To get a security guard license in Mississippi (the state’s Security Guard Permit for armed guards), apply in person with the Department of Public Safety, submit the SGP-APP-01 and SGP-AFF-01 forms, provide fingerprints, prove you’re 21+, and pay $132 initially; renewals are $82 every four years.

Requirements last verified: 2026-09-27

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), Firearm Permit Division; permits processed at HQ and nine MHP District Troop Stations. DPS locations note; Firearm Permit Division.
Who needs it	Armed private security (bank/company guards, watchmen, patrol/guard service employees, armored transport employees) must hold a Security Guard Permit under Miss. Code §97-37-7. Unarmed guards are not licensed by the state; some cities may require local permits. §97-37-7 (DPS); Biloxi ordinance.
Fees	Original: $100 permit + $32 FBI background = $132. Renewal: $50 + $32 = $82. Late (under 6 months): +$15; 6+ months: reapply as original. Retired LEO renewal fee waived; $32 still due. DPS fee schedule.
Forms	SGP-APP-01 (application) and SGP-AFF-01 (notarized affidavit/release). DPS application download; Application instructions.
Minimum age	21 years of age (explicit question on SGP-APP-01). SGP-APP-01.
Fingerprints/background	Mandatory state and FBI check; DPS fingerprints you on site. §97-37-7(b) (DPS); DPS instructions.
Exam/training	No state exam specified for the Security Guard Permit. Employers may require firearms training; municipalities may impose local rules. §97-37-7 (DPS).
Insurance/bond	No current state bond/insurance requirement in §97-37-7 for private guards; employer or local ordinances may require coverage. §97-37-7 (DPS).
Renewal cycle	Every 4 years; DPS mails renewal notice ~90 days before expiration. Late fee $15 if under 6 months late; 6+ months must reapply. §97-37-7(d) (DPS); DPS fee schedule.

How to get a security guard license in Mississippi

1. Confirm you need the state permit. If you will carry a firearm on duty, you need the Mississippi Security Guard Permit under §97-37-7; unarmed guards are not licensed at the state level. DPS statute page.
2. Download and complete the forms. Fill out SGP-APP-01 and the notarized SGP-AFF-01; gather ID and (if nonresident) birth certificate and Social Security card. Application; Instructions.
3. Make an in‑person appointment. Go to DPS HQ or any of the nine MHP District Troop Stations that process Security Guard Permits. DPS location notice.
4. Get fingerprinted and photographed. DPS captures prints on site and submits state and FBI checks as required by §97-37-7(b). DPS statute page.
5. Pay the fees. Bring $132 total for an original permit ($100 permit + $32 FBI background); acceptable payment methods listed by DPS. DPS fees.
6. Watch mail for your card. DPS mails your permit after the background review. If denied, you’ll receive written grounds for denial. DPS instructions.
7. Renew every 4 years. DPS sends renewal forms ~90 days before expiration; pay $82 to renew, or $32 if retired LEO (background only). Late renewals under 6 months add $15; 6+ months require reapplication. §97-37-7(d); DPS fees.

Mississippi security guard license: what it covers

Mississippi’s statewide credential is the Security Guard Permit, which authorizes carrying a firearm while on duty in roles listed in §97‑37‑7 (e.g., company guard, patrol service employee). Unarmed guards are not licensed by the state, but some municipalities license or permit guards locally. See Biloxi’s and Hattiesburg’s ordinances for examples. DPS statute page; Biloxi ordinance; Hattiesburg ordinance.

Costs to get a Mississippi Security Guard Permit

Your out‑of‑pocket state costs are straightforward: $132 to start ($100 permit + $32 FBI background) and $82 to renew ($50 + $32). If your permit expires, DPS assesses a $15 late fee when it’s less than six months late; at six months or more, you must reapply as a new applicant. For budgeting tips and employer‑paid items, see our detailed breakdown in Mississippi security guard license cost. DPS fees.

Documents and eligibility

Age, ID, and background

You must be 21 or older, provide valid photo ID, and pass state and FBI background checks. Non‑Mississippi residents also present a birth certificate and Social Security card. SGP-APP-01; Instructions; §97-37-7(b).

Forms you’ll file

Complete SGP‑APP‑01 and the notarized SGP‑AFF‑01 affidavit/release that authorizes DPS to run your criminal history and verify other statutory disqualifiers. Application download; Instructions.

Do Mississippi cities add requirements?

Yes—some local governments regulate security services. For example, Biloxi issues a city security guard license and sets local criteria through its code; Hattiesburg also regulates private security services. Check your city’s ordinances before you start work. Biloxi code; Hattiesburg code.

Considering related licenses

If you plan to add investigative work, review our step‑by‑step Private Investigator Mississippi licensing guide and our quick explainer on private investigator requirements in Mississippi to understand how duties differ from armed security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do unarmed security guards need a Mississippi state license?

No. Mississippi does not issue a statewide license for unarmed security guards. The state Security Guard Permit only applies to guards who carry a firearm while on duty under §97‑37‑7. However, some municipalities (e.g., Biloxi, Hattiesburg) require local permits. Always check local ordinances. §97-37-7 (DPS); Biloxi; Hattiesburg.

How long is the Mississippi Security Guard Permit valid?

Four years. DPS mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration. If you renew late but within six months, a $15 late fee applies; at six months or more, you must reapply as an original applicant. §97-37-7(d) (DPS); DPS fees.

What are the exact state fees to get or renew?

Original permit: $132 total ($100 permit + $32 FBI background). Renewal: $82 ($50 + $32). Retired law enforcement officers pay only the $32 background fee at renewal. Duplicate permit: $15. DPS fee schedule.

Where do I apply for the Mississippi Security Guard Permit?

In person at DPS Headquarters in Jackson or any of the nine Mississippi Highway Patrol District Troop Stations that process Security Guard Permits. Appointments are available via DPS’s scheduling portal. DPS locations note.

Is there a state firearms training or written exam requirement?

No state exam is listed for the Security Guard Permit. The statute requires fingerprint‑based background checks and specifies disqualifiers (e.g., felony convictions). Employers or municipalities may require training or qualifications. §97-37-7 (DPS).

Ready to move ahead? Use License Navigator to plan your Mississippi Security Guard Permit timeline, track renewal dates, and estimate total costs with confidence.