Security Guard License West Virginia
West Virginia licenses security guards through the Secretary of State. You’ll apply with a photo, fingerprints, five references, proof of a $5,000 bond or liability insurance, and documentation of one year of qualifying experience or training. Fees are $150 (resident) or $550 (non‑resident); renew every two years.
Direct answer: To get a security guard license in West Virginia, apply to the WV Secretary of State, complete fingerprint-based background checks, submit one photo, five character references, proof of either a $5,000 surety bond or liability insurance, and document one year of qualifying experience or education. Fees are $150 (resident) or $550 (non‑resident). No exam. WV SOS: Applying; Initial Application (PDF); W. Va. Code §30‑18‑5.
Requirements last verified: 2026-09-30
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | West Virginia Secretary of State, Licensing Division. Official licensing hub. |
| Application fee (individual) | $150 West Virginia resident; $550 non‑resident (includes $50 non‑refundable processing; fingerprint fee included). WV SOS: Applying; Application (PDF). |
| Experience or education | Minimum 1 year verified, full‑time security guard or private investigator work for a licensed firm, or 1 year substantially equivalent training/experience; combinations with relevant college coursework accepted (e.g., 30 semester hours may partially satisfy). WV SOS: Additional Eligibility; §30‑18‑5. |
| Background checks & fingerprints | State and FBI checks via IdentoGO after SOS receives your application; fingerprint fee is covered by the application fee. Application (PDF). |
| Photo | One recent passport‑style color photograph required. WV SOS: Applying. |
| Character references | Five references from reputable citizens who have known you for at least five years (not relatives). WV SOS: Applying. |
| Insurance/bond | EITHER a $5,000 surety bond (official form) OR proof of liability insurance, as required by SOS. Surety bond form (PDF); WV SOS: Applying. |
| Minimum age | 18 years old. §30‑18‑5(a)(1). |
| Exam | No state examination specified. Requirements are eligibility, background checks, and documentation. WV SOS: Applying. |
| License term & renewal | License is valid for 2 years; renewable for another 2‑year period. Renewal fee may not exceed $50; must refile bond or insurance. §30‑18‑9; Renewal page. |
| Employees of a firm | Employees working under a firm license must meet §30‑18‑7 requirements; firm must keep each worker’s photo and fingerprints on file. §30‑18‑7. |
How to get a security guard license in West Virginia
- Decide how you’ll operate. Choose sole proprietor under your own name or form an LLC/corporation; use WV’s One Stop Business Portal for names and, if approved later, tax registration. WV SOS: Applying.
- Download and complete the Initial Application. Use the official application and follow the fingerprint instructions you’ll receive after SOS logs your filing. Application (PDF).
- Get one passport photo. Attach a recent passport‑style color photo to your application. WV SOS.
- Secure a $5,000 bond or liability insurance. File the WV‑approved $5,000 surety bond form OR provide proof of liability insurance. Bond form.
- Collect five character references. Use the SOS reference form; each reference must have known you five years and cannot be related. WV SOS.
- Document experience or education. Provide employer affidavits and/or transcripts proving one year of qualifying work or equivalent training. Additional eligibility; §30‑18‑5.
- Submit and pay the fee. File by mail to the WV SOS Licensing Division with $150 (resident) or $550 (non‑resident). Fingerprint and processing costs are included; you’ll receive IdentoGO instructions. WV SOS; Application (PDF).
- Complete fingerprints when instructed. Schedule IdentoGO (WV) or card scan (out‑of‑state); results go directly to SOS. Application (PDF).
- Maintain your license. Renew every two years; SOS may charge up to $50 and will require updated information plus proof of bond/insurance. §30‑18‑9; Renewal page.
West Virginia security guard license requirements explained
Who needs a WV security guard license?
Any person performing security guard functions on their own (not solely as a firm employee) must be licensed by the Secretary of State. Firms also must be licensed; employees working under a licensed firm must meet §30‑18‑7 criteria and are supervised by the firm. WV SOS hub; §30‑18‑7.
Experience and education pathways
West Virginia is experience‑based: show one year of full‑time qualifying work (typically 32 hours/week for 50 weeks) or one year of substantially equivalent training/experience. Combinations with relevant college credit are allowed; the SOS provides examples for mixing credits and weeks of work. WV SOS: Applying; Additional eligibility.
Fingerprints, photo, and character references
After SOS receives your application, you’ll be instructed to complete an IdentoGO fingerprint submission (FBI and state). Include one recent passport photo and five character references on SOS forms. These items are mandatory. Application (PDF); WV SOS.
Bond or insurance requirement
You must file a $5,000 surety bond on the state‑approved form or provide proof of liability insurance to be licensed. Surety bond form (PDF); WV SOS.
License term and renewal timing
Licenses run for two years. Renew for another two‑year period by refiling required items; the renewal fee set by SOS may not exceed $50 under statute. §30‑18‑9.
Related WV and nearby licensure guidance
If you’re also considering investigative work, review our detailed West Virginia Private Investigator License Guide for costs, forms, and qualifications. For cross‑border work around the DMV, compare Virginia’s different training model in our Security Guard License in Virginia guide. See: West Virginia Private Investigator License Guide and How to get a Security Guard License in Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a West Virginia security guard license cost?
For individuals: $150 for WV residents or $550 for non‑residents. The $50 processing fee and the fingerprint/background check costs are included. Renewal fees are set by SOS and may not exceed $50 under statute. WV SOS: Applying; §30‑18‑9; Application (PDF).
Is there a state exam for security guards in West Virginia?
No exam is specified. Eligibility rests on age, character and criminal background, fingerprints, five references, a photo, bond or insurance, and proof of one year of qualifying experience or equivalent training. WV SOS: Applying; §30‑18‑5.
What counts as qualifying experience or training?
Full‑time work doing security guard or private investigation for a licensed firm (generally 32 hrs/week for 50 weeks), relevant college coursework, certain law‑enforcement or military training, or a combination. Provide employer affidavits and/or transcripts. WV SOS: Applying; Additional eligibility.
Do I need both a bond and liability insurance?
No. Provide either a $5,000 surety bond on the state form or proof of liability insurance. One or the other is required to be licensed. Bond form; WV SOS.
Can I work under a security firm instead of getting my own license?
Yes. If employed by a WV‑licensed security guard firm, you can perform security work under the firm’s license if you meet §30‑18‑7 requirements; the firm must supervise you and keep your photo and fingerprints on file. §30‑18‑7.
Ready to move forward? License Navigator can guide your WV security guard application end‑to‑end—from experience documentation to bond/insurance and renewal reminders—so you get licensed faster and stay compliant.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.