ARKANSAS SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Class B license - Security Services Contractor (guard company or armored car company). Class C (combined Class A investigations + Class B) and Class G (general: A, B, E Restricted, E Unrestricted) also cover guard-company operations. Class A is an INVESTIGATIONS company license, not a guard-company license. [1]

Who needs it. Any person that performs services as, or engages in the business of, a security services contractor ('a guard company or armored car company'). A guard company provides, on a contractual basis for another person, prevention of intrusion/larceny/vandalism/trespass on private property, detection of unauthorized activity, crowd/traffic control to protect property, or protection of individuals from bodily harm (A.C.A. 17-40-102(17), (34)). Exemptions (proprietary in-house security employed exclusively by one employer, government employees on duty, etc.) are in A.C.A. 17-40-103. [1]

Local licensing. State-exclusive. A.C.A. § 17-40-106(b): licensees and their employees 'are not required to obtain any authorization, permit, franchise, or license from, or pay another fee or franchise tax to, or post bond in any city, county, or other political subdivision of this state to engage in the business or perform any service authorized under this chapter.' § 17-40-106(c): 'However, any city or county may require a company operating within its jurisdiction to register without fee'.

Your guards. Unarmed guards need a Private Security Officer (PSO) credential ($40 + background fees; Phase I 8-hour training; exam of minimum 70 questions given by the company's training administrator; 70% pass). Armed guards need a Commissioned Security Officer (CSO) commission (Phase I + II; minimum 100-question exam; age 21). Licensee files the employee's application within 14 days of hire; until processed the employee may work only under line-of-sight supervision. Weekly personnel-transaction lists to ASP. ID cards emailed since Aug. 5, 2025. [1]

Role

Manager (credentialed 'manager'; 'branch office manager' is a separate credential). Every licensee must operate under at least one manager and must register a manager who is in a daily supervisory position. [1]

Experience

Two (2) consecutive years' experience before the date of application in the security services field as an agent, employee, manager, or owner of a security services contractor company, OR other requirements set by the Director. ASP's company application requires letters of employment from a current or previous supervisor verifying the 2 consecutive years (form misprints this as 'INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIENCE' in the security section). [1]

Age & background

At least 18 at application; not suffering habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction/dependence; no dishonorable discharge; not adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed; not a registered (or required-to-register) sex offender; state + FBI fingerprint background check; no disqualifying conviction under § 17-40-306(d) (see disqualifiers_and_waivers). [1]

• Must demonstrate qualifications by a written examination and make a satisfactory showing of qualifications to the Director before acting as manager. [1]
• Must intend to maintain a supervisory position on a daily basis. [1]
• Rule: licensees must register a manager who is in a supervisory position daily. [5]
• If the manager leaves: notify ASP in writing within 14 days (statute) and name a person responsible (rule); license remains in effect 30 days from ASP's receipt of notice pending qualification of a new manager (rule; statute says 'a reasonable length of time to be determined by the rules'). [5]
• Each officer and each partner/shareholder owning 25% or more of an entity applicant submits two passport-style photos and two classifiable fingerprint sets (ASP Company Officer Application). [1]
• Manager/Owner Application must be notarized. [9]
• Manager is responsible for keeping copies of all training documents, including graded applicants' exams. [5]

Exam

Arkansas State Police 'State Exam for Managers' (manager examination) [6]

Who sits it

The licensee's manager and any branch manager. Per ASP forms (citing 17 CAR § 350-906(b)) the owner of a company is exempt from the exam if the company has a credentialed manager. The same ASP 'State Exam' session is also used for Training Administrators, Assistant Training Administrators, Training Instructors and Private Investigators. [9]

Administered by

Arkansas State Police (in-house; no third-party testing vendor identified) [6]

Delivery

In person, proctored, Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. at ASP Headquarters, Little Rock. Submit applications ahead of time or on exam date; schedule via (501) 618-8000 ext. 2 then 4; proof of identification required. Paper vs. computer format not stated. [6]

Passing score

70% or above (same wording in 17 CAR §§ 350-906(d), 350-1017(d) and 350-1103(d); repeated on the ASP Manager/Owner application) [5]

Retakes

Application fee covers one exam (A.C.A. 17-40-307(d)(1)). After a failure: wait 5 working days and pay a $50.00 re-exam fee (if administered by ASP). Failure after two (2) attempts cancels the pending application; reapply as a new applicant and pay application fees again. [5]

Insurance

Continuing public liability insurance of not less than $500,000 for Class B, C and G, proof filed with the Director (certificate of insurance attached to new and renewal applications). Armored car companies (Class B or C) additionally need armored car cargo insurance of not less than $500,000 (§ 17-40-308(b)). [1]

Surety bond

No surety bond required for a Class B license: A.C.A. ch. 40 imposes an insurance prerequisite (§ 17-40-308) but no bond for security services contractors (the surety-bond provisions in the ASP compilation are in ch. 39, polygraph/voice-stress examiners), and political subdivisions may not require a bond (§ 17-40-106(b)). The absence of a bond provision is an inference from reading the whole chapter, not a quotable sentence. [1]

Branch offices

No separate branch-office license or fee in A.C.A. § 17-40-302. 'Branch office manager' is a credential category; any branch manager must take the examination. ASP links an alarm-branded 'Branch Location/Branch Manager Application' (EFFECTIVE 2-2026, still showing $35 background total) for PI & security companies. [5]

• Class B license initial application: $600 (Class C $850; Class G $1,200) [1]
• ASP company application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) shows Class B $600.00 [7]
• Class B renewal (2-year term): $300 (Class C $500; Class G $600) [1]
• Class B late renewal fee: $150 (Class C $250; Class G $300) [1]
• ASP renewal form confirms Class B renewal $300.00 and late penalty $150.00 [8]
• Background check fees per fingerprinted person (manager/owner, officers, employees) on 10-2026 forms: State $22.00 + Federal $13.00 + Federal/INA $1.00 + Federal $2.00 = $38.00 (was $35.00 with $10 federal fee before Oct. 1, 2026). Statute sets these by reference to the State Criminal Records Act / FBI (§ 17-40-302(b)). [9]
• Federal background check fee increase $10 -> $13 effective October 1, 2026 [6]
• Manager re-examination fee: $50.00 (first exam included in the application fee) [1]
• Re-exam fee amount set by rule: $50.00 [5]
• Security guard (PSO) credential: $40.00 initial and $40.00 renewal [1]
• Security guard transfer fee: $20.00 (set by rule; the statute's § 17-40-302(a)(3)(D) transfer-fee list names only PI and alarm credentials) [5]
• Replacement credential/commission photo ID card $5.00; duplicate wall-mounted license $10.00 [1]
• All § 17-40-302 fees are nonrefundable [1]
• Payment by check or money order only [7]
• Initial application fees waived for applicants on Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF or Lifeline, approved for unemployment within 12 months, or with income <= 200% of federal poverty guidelines [5]

1. Designate a qualifying manager (2 consecutive years' security-services experience, daily supervisory role); manager completes the notarized Manager/Owner Application with 2 passport-style photos, 2 classifiable fingerprint cards, $38 background fees and supervisor letters verifying experience. [7]
2. Complete the ASP Security or Investigation Company Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) selecting Class B; attach corporation papers if a corporation and a current certificate of $500,000 public liability insurance. [7]
3. Submit a Company Officer Application for each owner, 25%+ partner/shareholder, and corporate officer. [11]
4. Include an Authority to Release form and background-check fees/fingerprints with every application. [6]
5. Manager passes the ASP State Exam (70%+), Tuesdays 9:00 a.m., ASP HQ Little Rock; the application must include confirmation of exam completion. [5]
6. Pay by check or money order ($600 Class B fee + background fees). [7]
7. Correct deficiencies within 30 days; dispositions within 60 days of request; applications not complete after 120 days are voided. [5]
8. Eligibility determined only after the FBI fingerprint check; do not operate until the license issues. [5]
9. Operating before issuance is unlawful. [7]

Renewal

License expires 2 years from issuance. Renew no more than 90 days before expiration (renewal form, $300 fee, any required training proof, two photos, background check). $150 late fee if not received by expiration; a license not renewed within 6 months after expiration cannot be renewed (new initial application required). Manager credential renewed on the Manager/Owner Renewal Application. [1]

Disqualifiers & waivers

No license/credential (or renewal) for anyone found guilty of / pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, without a pardon: a felony; a Class A misdemeanor involving theft, sexual offenses, violence, dishonesty, or a crime against a person (ASP list, 17 CAR § 350-211); or an attempted felony/solicitation/conspiracy classified as a Class A misdemeanor - in Arkansas, other-state, military or federal court; sealed/expunged records included. Misdemeanors 10+ years before application do not bar. Plus § 17-40-306(a) fitness disqualifiers. Pre-licensure criminal background determination available (17 CAR § 350-217). [1]

• 2025-08-05Act 678 of 2025 struck 'or any crime involving moral turpitude' from the applicant's verified disclosure statement (§ 17-40-307(a)(8)); disclosure now covers felony, Class A misdemeanor, or crime involving an act of violence, incl. sealed/expunged. Acts 2025, No. 678, § 8 [2]
• 2025-08-05Act 678 struck 'crime involving moral turpitude' as a ground for commission denial (§ 17-40-344) and suspension (§ 17-40-350(c)(1)). Acts 2025, No. 678, §§ 11-12 [2]
• 2025-08-05Act 678 repealed § 17-40-339 (ASP notice to sheriff/police chief of armed-commission applications and their objection right). Acts 2025, No. 678, § 9 [2]
• 2025-08-05Act 678 allows the commission ID to be an electronic identification card (§ 17-40-340) and adds annual refresher training for CSOs/CSSOs (§ 17-40-208(e)). Acts 2025, No. 678, §§ 7, 10 [2]
• 2025-08-05Arkleg index: Act 678 (HB1692) is the only 2025 Regular Session act amending A.C.A. 17-40; no emergency clause, so it took effect on the general effective date; ASP's compilation of the amended chapter is footed 'Effective August 5, 2025'. arkleg.state.ar.us Acts > Code Sections Amended (2025R, Title 17) [3]
• 2025-08-05ASP compilation of amended Ch. 40 footed with effective date ASP 'Act 393 Revised 8-5-2025' [1]
• 2025-08-05ASP began issuing all identification cards electronically by email. ASP licensing page notice [6]
• 2026-10-01Federal background check fee raised $10 -> $13 (per-person total $35 -> $38); new '10-2026' forms; all earlier PI-Security application versions invalid from Oct. 1, 2026. ASP licensing page notice; ASP forms EFFECTIVE 10-2026 [6]
• n/a2026 Fiscal Session amended only § 17-95-403 in Title 17 (Act 146); 2026 First Extraordinary Session amended nothing in Title 17. No 2026 change to ch. 40; no enacted change taking effect later in 2027 found (2027 Regular Session convenes January 2027). arkleg.state.ar.us Acts > Code Sections Amended (2025/2026F, 2025/2026S1) [4]

• A.C.A. §§ 17-40-101 to 17-40-356 — Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act (Act 393 of 2015, as amended through Act 678 of 2025; ASP-hosted compilation footed 'Effective August 5, 2025') [1]
• A.C.A. § 17-40-102(17), (34) — Definitions - 'Guard company'; 'Security services contractor' [1]
• A.C.A. § 17-40-106 — Exclusive regulation--Authority of political subdivisions [1]
• A.C.A. § 17-40-302 — Fees [1]
• A.C.A. §§ 17-40-306 to -309, -313, -314 — Applicant qualifications; application and examination; insurance prerequisite; classifications; expiration and renewal; managers [1]
• Acts 2025, No. 678 (HB1692) — An Act to amend the law concerning polygraph examiners and voice stress analysis examiners; and to amend the law concerning private investigators and private security agencies (approved 4/16/25; no emergency clause) [2]
• 17 CAR Part 350 (§§ 350-101 to 350-1209) — Rules for Licensing and Regulation of Private Investigators, Private Security Agencies, Alarm Systems Companies, Polygraph Examiners, and Voice Stress Analysis Examiners (Code of Arkansas Rules; ASP-posted copy 'Current Through February 6, 2026') [5]
• 17 CAR §§ 350-501 to 350-511 — General rules of operation & compliance (manager, employee files, weekly personnel transactions, termination of manager, etc.) [5]
• 17 CAR §§ 350-1001 to 350-1022 — Security agencies (PSO/CSO/CSSO training phases, § 350-1017 examination, uniforms, firearms) [5]
• 17 CAR § 350-906 — Licensee and credential holder examination (in the Alarm Systems subpart, but cited by ASP on the PI/Security Manager/Owner application) [5]

1. A.C.A. Title 17 Ch. 39 & Ch. 40 - ASP-hosted compilation 'Act 393 Revised', footer 'Effective August 5, 2025' (agency-hosted statute text; official LexisNexis code not retrievable) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. Act 678 of 2025 (HB1692), Arkansas General Assembly · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. Arkansas Legislature - Acts > Code Sections Amended, Title 17, 2025 Regular Session · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. Arkansas Legislature - Acts > Code Sections Amended, Title 17, 2026 Fiscal Session and 2026 First Extraordinary Session · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. 17 CAR Part 350 (Code of Arkansas Rules, ASP-posted copy current through February 6, 2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. Arkansas State Police - Private Investigators / Security Companies / Alarm Installation & Monitoring licensing page (full curl capture) · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. ASP Security or Investigation Company Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. ASP Security or Investigation Company Renewal Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. ASP Manager / Owner Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. ASP Manager / Owner Renewal Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. ASP Company Officer Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. ASP Alarm Systems Branch Location / Branch Manager Application (EFFECTIVE 2-2026; linked for PI & security companies) · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. ASP Private Security Officer (PSO) Application (EFFECTIVE 10-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09

Compiled from the primary government sources above, retrieved on the dates shown. This page is a research summary, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the issuing authority before you file.