Security Guard License Cost Minnesota

In Minnesota, there’s no individual “guard card.” The state licenses the security business as a Protective Agent. New license fees are $800 (individual) or $1,800 (corporation/LLC), with biennial renewal fees from $480 to $1,160 based on employee count, plus a $10,000 surety bond and proof of liability coverage. Minnesota Protective Agent license fees; Minn. Stat. § 326.3382.

Requirements last verified: 2026-09-16

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Minnesota Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services (within DPS). License page.
New license fees	Protective Agent: Individual $800; Corporation/LLC $1,800. Official fee schedule.
Renewal fees (every 2 years)	Protective Agent: $480 (1 employee); $650 (2–10); $820 (11–25); $990 (26–50); $1,160 (51+). Official fee schedule.
Experience	Minimum 6,000 hours qualifying protective/security or investigative experience for the individual applicant, Qualified Representative, or MN Manager (as applicable). Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 2(c).
Minimum age	18 years for each person signing the application. Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 1(a)(4).
Bond and insurance	$10,000 surety bond, plus proof of financial responsibility via liability insurance, net worth statement, or letter of credit (amounts tiered by employee count if using net worth or LOC). Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 3.
Exam / interview	No standard written exam. The Board may require an in‑person interview of the applicant/qualified representative during review. Minn. R. 7506.0110.
Fingerprints & background	Full set of fingerprints and five references for each signer; FBI/BCA checks required (vendor/background fees paid separately). Board application requirements.
Employee training	Employees must complete at least 12 hours of preassignment training within 21 days of hire; additional ongoing training applies. Minn. R. 7506.2600.
Renewal cycle	Biennial (every 2 years). License page; Minn. Stat. § 326.3381.
Processing time	Varies; reviewed at Board meetings and by staff. License page.

How to calculate the security guard license cost in Minnesota

1. Confirm you need a Protective Agent license. Minnesota licenses the business, not individual guards. Sole proprietors need an Individual PA license; firms typically apply as a Corporation/LLC. DPS/PDB overview.
2. Choose license type and total employees. Your new‑license fee is $800 (individual) or $1,800 (corporation/LLC). Renewal fees later scale by employee count: $480–$1,160. Official fee schedule.
3. Assemble financial responsibility. Obtain the required $10,000 surety bond and either liability insurance, a qualifying net‑worth statement, or a letter of credit (tiers vary by staff size). Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 3.
4. Verify experience & signers. Ensure the applicant/Qualified Representative (and Minnesota Manager if out‑of‑state) documents 6,000 hours of qualifying experience; all signers must be 18+ and of good character. Minn. Stat. § 326.3382.
5. Complete the application packet. Use the current Protective Agent application (Individual or Corp/LLC), attach five references per signer, photos, and fingerprint cards. Application packets (2026).
6. Pay fees and submit to the Board. Mail or deliver the packet with the correct fee payable to the Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services. Board page.
7. Participate in Board review. The Board may require an in‑person interview; processing time varies by meeting schedule and completeness. Minn. R. 7506.0110.
8. After approval, operate and train employees. Post your license and ensure employees complete preassignment and ongoing training as required. Minn. R. 7506.2600.
9. Renew every 2 years. Budget renewal fees based on current employee count and update insurance/bond documents. Fee table.

Security guard license cost in Minnesota: what you’ll actually pay

Your mandatory state fees are straightforward: $800 (Individual PA) or $1,800 (Corp/LLC PA) to start, then $480–$1,160 every two years based on headcount. Plan for third‑party expenses not set by the Board, such as surety bond premium (for the required $10,000 bond), liability insurance, fingerprinting, and employee training time. Fees; bond/insurance statute; training rule.

Does Minnesota license individual security guards?

No. Minnesota licenses the business as a Protective Agent. Individual employees do not hold a state “guard card,” but they must meet preassignment and ongoing training requirements set in Board rules and any employer/site‑specific qualifications. Minn. R. 7506.2600; Board overview.

Protective Agent license requirements in Minnesota

Experience and age

The applicant/Qualified Representative (and Minnesota Manager if required) must document at least 6,000 hours of qualifying protective/security or investigative work, and each signer must be at least 18. Minn. Stat. § 326.3382.

Bond, insurance, and financial responsibility

You must file a $10,000 surety bond and show financial responsibility via insurance, net‑worth statement, or letter of credit (tiers scale with employees). Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 3.

Board review and possible interview

There’s no standard state exam. The Board reviews your file and may require an in‑person interview of the applicant/qualified representative and Minnesota manager. Minn. R. 7506.0110.

Renewal cadence and fees

Licenses are biennial. Renewal fees for Protective Agents range from $480 to $1,160 based on the number of employees at renewal. Official renewal fees.

Related Minnesota licensing guides

If your business will also conduct investigations, compare Protective Agent vs. PI requirements and costs in our Minnesota investigator resources: see the step‑by‑step Private Investigator Minnesota License guide and the detailed Private Investigator license cost in Minnesota breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a security (Protective Agent) company in Minnesota?

Expect $800 (individual) or $1,800 (corp/LLC) in state license fees, plus a $10,000 surety bond and proof of liability coverage. Renewals are $480–$1,160 every two years based on employee count. Fingerprinting, background checks, and insurance/bond premiums are additional market‑rate costs. Fees; statute.

Are individual security guards licensed in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota licenses the Protective Agent business. Employees must complete at least 12 hours of preassignment training within 21 days and meet any employer/site standards, but they do not receive a state “guard card.” Minn. R. 7506.2600.

Is there a state exam for a Minnesota Protective Agent license?

No written exam is prescribed. However, the Board may require an in‑person interview of the applicant/qualified representative during application review. Minn. R. 7506.0110.

What experience is required to qualify?

The applicant/Qualified Representative (and, if applicable, Minnesota Manager) must document at least 6,000 hours of qualifying protective/security or investigative experience, including work with security systems, audits, and supervision. Minn. Stat. § 326.3382, subd. 2(c); Board requirements.

How long does licensing take?

Timelines vary based on Board meeting schedules and the completeness of your file. The Board notes that processing time can vary; plan several weeks to a few months for full review. License page.

Need a precise, line‑item budget to launch your Minnesota Protective Agent business? License Navigator can map your fees, forms, timelines, and training plan in minutes—so you can get licensed and start signing clients faster.