CONNECTICUT SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Security service license (CGS 29-161g/29-161h). DESPP calls the individual license a 'security service license' and the corporation/association/partnership license a 'security service agency license'. DPS-366-C offers 'Security Service' (individual, incl. DBA) or 'Security Service, Inc.' (corporate, incl. LLC and Inc.). 'Security Service Business License' does not appear in any primary source. [8]

Who needs it. Any person, firm, association or corporation that, for consideration, provides to another: prevention/detection of intrusion, larceny, vandalism, fire or trespass; prevention/observation/detection of unauthorized activity; protection of patrons; secure transport of valuables; patrol and armored car services; or guard dogs (CGS 29-152u(8)). No one may engage in, solicit or advertise this business without the license (CGS 29-161g). Exceptions and limits: (a) a licensed private detective or private detective agency may provide nonuniformed guard services (CGS 29-156h); (b) qualified retired police officers, and since July 1, 2026 retired parole officers, hired by a school district for armed school security under CGS 10-244a are not subject to Part II of ch. 534 (P.A. 26-139, s. 1); (c) a business that employs its own in-house (proprietary) security officers is not a 'security service' because it does not provide security to another for consideration. Its officers must still be licensed and registered as security officers (CGS 29-152u(7)). DPS-366-C has a 'Proprietary Licensee' box: 'Submit only the DPS-366-C - NO FEES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED'. [1]

Local licensing. Licensing is at the state level only (CGS 29-161g; DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit). No primary source reviewed mentions county or municipal licensing of security service companies, and Connecticut has no county government. Separate state-level operating rules: (1) a security service may not operate on state waters without prior legislative and executive approval (CGS 29-161f); (2) armed-officer assignments must be reported in writing to the state police or the municipal police department with jurisdiction (CGS 29-161aa).

Your guards. Security officers must hold a DESPP security officer license (Security Officer Training Certification Identification Card; 8-hour approved course, 70% written exam per RCSA 29-161x-4(b), $100, 5-year term) or have a pending application under CGS 29-161q(h). Immediately upon hiring a licensed officer (or upon licensing after training), the security service registers the officer with DESPP on DPS-688-C with a $40 fee; termination must be reported not later than 5 days (statute; DESPP FAQ says 5 business days). Armed officers (21+) need a CGS 29-28 pistol permit plus the 29-161z special permit ($62) and annual refresher. Violations: $75 per offense, each day a separate offense. See https://portal.ct.gov/despp/knowledge-base/articles/frequently-asked-questions/slfu/security-officers [2]

Role

No separate 'qualifying agent' title. The individual applicant, or for a corporation/association/partnership the officer or member who makes the application, must personally meet the qualifications (DESPP forms call this person the 'Licensee'; other corporate officials file DPS-366-C as 'Corporate Official'). [1]

Experience

At least 5 years' experience in a supervisory management capacity in industrial security, or as a supervisor within a federal or state security agency, or within a state or organized municipal police department; OR at least 10 years' experience as a police officer with a state or organized municipal police department (CGS 29-161h(a)). The commissioner may substitute up to 1 year of experience for a pertinent course of instruction (CGS 29-161h(b)). Experience accrued while operating unlicensed does not count (CGS 29-161x(a)). DESPP's FAQ adds that employment as an investigator does not qualify. Source conflicts: the FAQ says the 10-year police path includes 'federal' police, and DPS-366-C paraphrases the requirement as 'five years supervisory experience under a licensed security agency'. The statute controls. [1]

Age & background

Not less than 25 years of age and of good moral character; state and national criminal history records checks with fingerprints (CGS 29-161k(b)); not currently vested with police powers (CGS 29-161j). [1]

• Not vested with police powers: no member of the state, town, city or borough police force, and no other person vested with police powers, is eligible. [1]
• Corporate license may be refused, suspended or revoked if 10% or more of the stock is held by a person who cannot meet the applicant character standards. [1]
• Oral interview is scheduled once the application is complete (regulation). [7]
• Minimum high school education (copy of diploma, GED, college transcript or degree) plus evidence of training related to the security industry or law enforcement (regulation). DESPP's FAQ states the same education minimum. [7]
• Citizenship/right to work. The regulation (RCSA 29-161x-1(c)(5)) requires 'Proof of citizenship or right to work in this country'. DESPP's FAQ is stricter: U.S. citizen, naturalized citizen or green card, and an INS work permit is not acceptable. The Administrative Directives (Rev. 02/15/22) say 'U.S. Citizen, a naturalized U.S. Citizen or a Legal Resident Alien'. The statute has no citizenship requirement. The regulation controls over the agency pages; expect SLFU to apply the FAQ standard in practice. [7]
• DESPP FAQ version of the citizenship requirement (stricter than the regulation). [8]
• Four letters of character reference sent directly by the authors to SLFU (no form letters or letters from spouse/parents/immediate family). [7]
• Credit bureau report prepared not more than 6 months before application (individual applicant); DPS-366-C requires a 'Full credit bureau report; summary not accepted'. [7]
• Motor vehicle records for previous 3 years from each state of residence plus copy of current driver's license. [7]
• If the applicant is under psychiatric care, a letter from the attending psychologist verifying ability to hold the license (agency directive). [17]
• All corporate officials (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) must file DPS-366-C as Corporate Official with photos and fingerprints; failure may prevent issuance. [8]
• Trade name requires commissioner approval and may not imply government association. [1]
• Records retention: security service employer keeps documents, business records or training records at least 3 years; DESPP may inspect (CGS 29-161m). [7]
• Licensee and each corporate officer/member receive a DESPP pocket identification card that must be carried when engaged in the licensed business. [1]
• License must be displayed conspicuously at the place of business; copy at each branch. [1]
• Armed assignments: licensed security service must give written notice to state or municipal police of assignments of armed officers in their jurisdiction. [1]
• Operation on state waters requires prior legislative and executive approval. [1]

Insurance

Certificate of general liability insurance for not less than $300,000, provided before license issuance; notify commissioner in writing within 30 days of any change of status. [1]

Surety bond

$10,000 surety bond in favor of the state, with a surety company authorized to do business in Connecticut (form DPS-363-C); licensee must notify commissioner in writing within 30 days of a change of status in the bond. [1]

Branch offices

Unlimited branches/suboffices allowed; licensee must notify the commissioner in writing not later than 5 business days after opening each branch (town/city, street address, phone, branch manager's name). A copy of the license must be posted at each branch (CGS 29-161o). No separate branch fee found in statute. [1]

• Original license - individual, association or partnership (2-year term): $1,450 [1]
• Original license - corporation (2-year term): $1,750 [1]
• Late renewal (more than 90 days after expiration) - pay original-license fee [1]
• Fingerprint-based background checks per applicant and per corporate official: $75.00 state + $15.00 FBI (FBI rate effective 2026-10-01), pre-enroll/pay online through CCHRS (FlexCheck)
• Fingerprinting at DESPP Headquarters (by appointment): $15 [10]
• Registration of each security officer employee (paid by security service): $40 [2]
• Security officer license (individual guard; 5-year term; waived for qualifying military/veterans): $100 [2]
• Special permit to carry firearm or electronic defense weapon (security officer 'blue card'): $62 [2]
• Request for determination whether a criminal conviction is disqualifying [1]
• Security officer / firearms instructor approval or renewal (2-year term): $40 [2]

1. Complete DPS-366-C (Application for Private Detective or Security Service License) accurately, under oath and notarized; check 'Security Service' (individual/DBA) or 'Security Service, Inc.' (corporate/LLC). [17]
2. Pay the statutory license fee (cashier's check, money order or other prescribed method) with the application. [7]
3. Fingerprints and photos: pre-enroll and pay online through CCHRS/FlexCheck ($75 state + $15.00 FBI from 2026-10-01; the directives still print the superseded $13.25); submit the FBI Privacy Rights form and two recent 2x2 full-face passport-style photos. Photo-size conflict: CGS 29-161k(b) says two photographs 2 inches wide by 3 inches high. DESPP forms and directives say 2x2. Follow the agency form in practice, but the statute text differs. [8]
4. 3a. Photo specification per DESPP directives (agency practice; differs from statute's 2x3). [17]
5. Submit supporting documents: 3-year MVR and driver's license copy, DD-214 (if military), credit report, education proof, citizenship/right-to-work proof, employment/experience verification (sent directly by former employers), out-of-state license verification, Secretary of the State incorporation or foreign-authority certificate (corporations), corporate-official applications. [7]
6. Arrange four character reference letters sent directly by the authors to SLFU within 60 days of submitting the application. [17]
7. All supporting documentation must reach SLFU within 60 days of filing or the application is rejected and a new one is required. [7]
8. Character investigation by a State Police trooper and oral interview once the application is complete. [17]
9. Before issuance, post the $10,000 surety bond (DPS-363-C) and provide the $300,000 general liability insurance certificate; commissioner grants a 2-year license after investigation. [1]
10. Mail completed applications to DESPP Special Licensing & Firearms Unit, 1111 Country Club Rd., Middletown, CT 06457 (paper process; no online application found). [17]

Renewal

Two-year term. SLFU mails a renewal application 90 days before expiration. Renewal package: DPS-331-C, DPS-363-C bond, $300,000 general liability policy, two current 2x2 photos of licensee, alphabetical list of all employees/registered security officers as of the renewal date, and fee ($625 individual/association/partnership; $1,000 corporation) payable to 'Treasurer, State of Connecticut'. Renewal more than 90 days after expiration costs the original-license fee (CGS 29-161n). [8]

Disqualifiers & waivers

No license to anyone (1) convicted of any felony; (2) convicted within the past 7 years of listed misdemeanors (21a-279, 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178, 53a-181d) or equivalents; (3) convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude; (4) discharged from military service under conditions demonstrating questionable moral character; (5) decertified as a police officer. Also ineligible: persons vested with police powers (29-161j); corporation may be denied if a 10%+ stockholder fails character standards (29-161i); anyone who operated unlicensed is ineligible for 2 years after the penalty (29-161x(a)). Denial may be appealed in writing to the commissioner within 30 days (29-161h(d)); suspension/revocation orders are appealable under CGS 4-183 in the judicial district of New Britain (29-161v(a)). Pre-application: any person with a conviction may request a determination from the commissioner whether it is disqualifying (fee up to $15, answer within 30 days) (29-161v(b)). Experience waiver: commissioner may substitute up to 1 year of experience for a pertinent course (29-161h(b)). [1]

• 2025-10-01Security officers must obtain a DESPP special permit ($62) and complete approved training (with annual refresher) before carrying an electronic defense weapon (stun gun/conductive energy device) on duty; security services may not let an employee carry one without proof of the permit. Instructor approval required. P.A. 25-157, § 2 (amending CGS § 29-161z) [3]
• 2025-10-01Security officer license applicants who intend to carry a less lethal weapon (baton or O.C./pepper spray) must complete additional approved training on lawful use per manufacturer recommendations; license renewal applicants must now submit fingerprints (fee exemption limited to fingerprint search/fingerprinting fees). P.A. 25-157, § 3 (amending CGS § 29-161q) [2]
• 2025-10-01Weapons-carry statute exemption changed from security guards carrying batons/nightsticks to licensed security officers (or those working while an application is pending) carrying less lethal weapons. P.A. 25-157, § 4 (amending CGS § 53-206) [4]
• 2026-10-01Security officer training must be waived for current or recently separated (within 2 years, good standing) DOC correction officers, DOC parole officers and Judicial Branch judicial marshals, and for police officers separated in good standing within 2 years who are not barred from law-enforcement hiring under CGS 7-291c, upon proof of equivalent training; training subject now reads 'state search and seizure laws'; $100 license-fee exemption limited to armed forces/National Guard members or veterans who received a waiver. P.A. 26-45, § 12 (amending CGS § 29-161q(b), (c)) [5]
• 2026-10-01Incomplete security officer license applications: when DESPP notifies the applicant (or the employing security service that submitted it) that an application is incomplete, a completed application must be submitted within 10 calendar days; if still incomplete, the commissioner may deny it. Also clarifies the employer's pre-hire background check must have been conducted (past tense) for an applicant to work while the application is pending. P.A. 26-45, § 12 (amending CGS § 29-161q(h)) [5]
• 2026-07-01Armed school security: CGS 10-244a already exempted qualified retired police officers hired by a municipality or board of education for armed school security from Part II of ch. 534 (security service/security officer licensing). P.A. 26-139 extends this to retired parole officers who meet 18 USC 926C-type qualifications. It also requires the officer to have retired or separated in 'good standing' and not be barred from law-enforcement hiring under CGS 7-291c. Security services therefore do not compete for these posts under ch. 534 licensing. P.A. 26-139, § 1 (amending CGS § 10-244a) [20]

• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-152u, 29-156h, 29-161f to 29-161aa (Chapter 534) — Private Detectives and Security Services: definitions; security services and security officers (revised to Jan. 1, 2025) [1]
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-161q, 29-161z (2026 Supplement) — Security officer licensing; special permits to carry firearms or electronic defense weapons, as amended by P.A. 25-157 and P.A. 25-18 [2]
• P.A. 25-157, §§ 2-4 (eff. Oct. 1, 2025) — Electronic defense weapons / less lethal weapons for security officers [3]
• P.A. 26-45, § 12 (amending § 29-161q, eff. Oct. 1, 2026) — An Act Concerning DESPP's Recommendations Regarding Various Statutes Relating to Public Safety [5]
• P.A. 26-139, § 1 (amending § 10-244a, eff. July 1, 2026) — An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Education Statutes (armed school security by retired officers exempt from Part II of ch. 534) [20]
• Regs. Conn. State Agencies §§ 29-161x-1 to 29-161x-7 — Part II - Security Services and Security Officers (adopted eff. June 29, 2007; PDF revised 2015-3-6) [7]

1. Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 534 (revised to Jan. 1, 2025) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 534, 2026 Supplement · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. Public Act 25-157 (sHB 6859) · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. OLR Public Act Summary PA 25-157 · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. Public Act 26-45 (sHB 5291) · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. OLR 2026-R-0092, 2026 Acts Affecting First Responders · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. Regs. Conn. State Agencies 29-161x-1 to 29-161x-7 · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. DESPP: How to get licensed as a security service agency? · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. DESPP SLFU: Private Security Companies (older page) · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. DESPP: Special licensing FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. DESPP: How do I get licensed as a security officer? · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. DESPP: SLFU forms and documents · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. DPS-366-C Application for Private Detective or Security Service License (Rev. 5/06/19) · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. DPS-363-C Bond for Private Detective and/or Security Service License · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. DPS-331-C Renewal Application · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. DPS-688-C Application for Registration of Security Officer or Private Investigator · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. SLFU Administrative Directives to Applicants Seeking Licensure (Rev. 02/15/22) · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. SLFU Administrative Procedures for Registering Security Officers (Rev. 1/19) · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. SLFU Administrative Directives for Security Officer's Training Certification ID Card (Rev 1/14/19) · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. Public Act No. 26-139 (sHB 5323), An Act Concerning Various Revisions to the Education Statutes · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. OLR Public Act Summary, PA 26-45 · 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.