DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Security Agency license issued by the DLCP OPL Security Program. Agency license types: Security Agency Business (SAB), Security Agency Individual (Business) (SAI), and Security Agency Campus/University (SAC). Since Oct. 1, 2025 the agency also needs a Public Safety Services basic business license. SAB appears to be the firm license and SAI the individual-owner license. [50]

Who needs it. Any individual or firm that conducts, or solicits to engage in, a business providing security services in DC. By statute (since Oct. 1, 2025), anyone operating, managing or conducting a security agency for profit, or advertising as one, needs a Public Safety Services basic business license and Chief of Police approval. [46]

Local licensing. The District of Columbia is a single jurisdiction with no separate county or city licensing layer, so licensing is District-wide (recorded here as 'state'). Since Oct. 1, 2025 (BEST Act, D.C. Law 24-333 as made applicable by D.C. Law 25-217 § 7286), D.C. Code § 47-2853.208(a) requires two things to run a security agency: (1) a Public Safety Services basic business license under § 47-2851.03, and (2) approval from the Chief of Police. DLCP's BEST Act category list puts 'Security Agency' under Public Safety Services. The occupational agency license itself (SAB/SAI) is still issued under 17 DCMR 2124-2125 by the DLCP OPL Security Program, with MPD SOMB sign-off. Detective agencies (PDB/PAI) are a separate license under 17 DCMR Chapter 20 and are not covered here. Agencies that furnish special police officers (armed or unarmed, with arrest powers on the protected property) are also subject to 6A DCMR Chapter 11. Federal employees acting officially and armored car guards are excluded from the 'security officer' definition (17 DCMR 2100.3).

Your guards. Each security officer must be certified by DLCP: age 18+ (2102), background checks, the PSI exam (2108.2), 24 hours pre-assignment training, 16 hours on-the-job training within 90 working days, and 8 hours annual in-service. The agency forwards the application, fingerprints and training certification, and pays the application, training and record-check costs, which may not be deducted from pay (2108.5). The agency reports each officer hired, retired, resigned or terminated within 15 calendar days (2111.8). Special police officers are commissioned under 6A DCMR Ch. 11 (age 21+, U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident per the 2026 final rule). The agency drug-screens SPO applicants (6A DCMR 1106.5-1106.8). [46]

Role

Representative member: a firm appoints one of its members to apply for it. DC has no separate qualifying-agent or qualifying-manager license or exam. An individual owner applies as the licensee. [46]

Age & background

No minimum age is set for an agency applicant or firm member; age must be disclosed (2124.7). Background screening: a notarized Arrest Affidavit (page 1 with arrest dispositions, valid 90 days; page 2 residence and employment history), a notarized Authorization to Release Information (90 days), MPD fingerprints (6 months), and Chief of Police approval (2124.3). [18]

• Chief of Police (or designee) must certify approval of the license [46]
• Firm applications list every firm member, with the same information required of an individual applicant [46]
• Application signed under oath (for a firm, by the representative member and all other firm members) [46]
• Application must list the principal place of business and each branch office, any trade or fictitious name, and a facsimile of any trademark [46]
• DC address: Occupancy Permit or current lease if the business is located in DC; otherwise a notarized Fact Sheet for Attorney in Fact or General Agent listing a DC address, completed by a person (agencies are not acceptable) [18]
• Proof of registration / Certificate of Good Standing (and trade name certificate, if applicable) from the DLCP Corporations Division [18]
• Proposed patch design (SO patches per 17 DCMR 2113; SPO patches per 6A DCMR 1109) [18]
• Government-issued ID and, if applicable, citizenship document [18]

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate is required by regulation for an agency that employs 5 or more security officers (2127.6). No license may be issued or renewed without proof (2127.7). 2124.12 requires proof with the application if the applicant intends to employ at least 5 security guards. DLCP's SAB and SAI new and renewal checklists require 'Proof of Insurance' from all agency applicants (no amount stated). [46]

Surety bond

None currently required. 17 DCMR 2127.1-2127.5 (the former bond requirement) are repealed (D.C. Law 18-189, eff. Dec. 10, 2009). Leftover references remain: 2124.11 (submit a bond 'in accordance with the requirements of this chapter') and 2126.1(i) (failure to maintain a bond is a ground for discipline). DLCP's Document Expiration Dates sheet still lists 'Bond/Insurance'. DLCP's SAB and SAI checklists do not list a bond. [46]

Branch offices

No separate branch license or fee was found. The application lists each proposed branch office (2124.9(a)), the license certificate lists each branch (2125.2(b)), and the license authorizes an office at each listed location (2125.3(b)). Failing to notify the Mayor of a branch address change is grounds for discipline (2126.1(h)). [46]

• SAB new application fee: $1,000.00 (DLCP Security Program page) [50]
• SAI new application fee: $500.00 (DLCP Security Program page) [50]
• SAC (campus/university security agency) new application fee: $1,000.00; renewal $935.00 [50]
• Regulation application fee: $500 (individual) / $1,000 (firm). Matches DLCP. [46]
• SAB renewal fee: $935.00 (DLCP Security Program page; what DLCP charges) [50]
• SAI renewal fee: $435.00 (DLCP Security Program page; what DLCP charges) [50]
• Regulation renewal fee: $250 (individual) / $500 (firm). [46]
• Late fee: $10 per day if renewal documents are not received at least 15 days before expiration [46]
• Public Safety Services basic business license: $49 (6-month), $99 (2-year), $198 (4-year). The 4-year tier is permanent law under D.C. Law 26-183 (Sept. 25, 2026). [39]
• BBL lapsed-license penalties per DLCP BEST Act page: $75 (expired no more than 30 days), $150 (less than 6 months), $350 (less than 9 months, maximum). D.C. [31]
• Employee-level fees paid by the employer (2108.5): security officer application $103.00; PSI security officer exam $69.00 (paid to PSI); SO renewal $103.00; SPO new/renewal $84.00 [50]

1. Register the entity (and trade name, if any) with the DLCP Corporations Division and get a Certificate of Good Standing [18]
2. Complete and notarize the Arrest Affidavit and Authorization to Release before applying (both expire in 90 days) [50]
3. Schedule and complete MPD fingerprints before applying (online or (202) 671-6705; valid 6 months) [50]
4. Gather the SAB/SAI documents: government ID; citizenship document; DC lease/occupancy permit or notarized Fact Sheet; good standing certificate; Arrest Affidavit pp. 1-2; Authorization to Release; fingerprints; proposed patch design; proof of insurance [18]
5. Apply online through DLCP OPL and pay the application fee ($1,000 SAB / $500 SAI) [50]
6. MPD Security Officers Management Branch gives final sign-off (Chief of Police approval) [34]
7. Hold a Public Safety Services basic business license (statutory since Oct. 1, 2025) [36]
8. On approval, a 2-year license certificate is issued listing the principal office and each branch office [46]

Renewal

2-year term (17 DCMR 2125.1, 2125.6). Under DLCP administrative policy, agency licenses (SAB, SAI, SAC) expire two years from issuance or last renewal, replacing the former fixed Oct. 31 odd-year expiration. Renewal documents are due at least 15 days before expiration ($10/day late fee). SAB/SAI renewal requires: notarized Authorization to Release; proof of insurance; a name-change certificate if applicable (a new FEIN requires a new application); an active officer roster (name and license number); and a worksites list. Fees: $935 SAB / $435 SAI per DLCP (regulation says $500/$250). [32]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Grounds to deny, reprimand, fine (up to $1,000 per count), place on probation, suspend or revoke (17 DCMR 2126.1, 2126.3): fraud or deception in obtaining or using a license; helping someone obtain an officer certification fraudulently; operating or advertising while unlicensed; false statements about employees or in renewals/reports; failing to report member or address changes; failing to maintain the bond or insurance; failing to adequately supervise and train officers; any other Chapter 21 violation. Acts of principals, agents and employees can be attributed to the licensee (2126.2). Failure to supervise employees is also grounds for denial or suspension (2101.4). Chief of Police approval is required (2124.3). Notice, hearing and appeal follow 2120-2123. DLCP may also issue cease-and-desist orders (2126.5) and civil penalties under D.C. Code § 47-2853.208(d)(1). No agency-specific waiver or rehabilitation provision was found; the OAH 'significant safety risk' process in 2104 covers individual security officers. [46]

• 2025-10-01The BEST Act took effect. Former D.C. Code § 47-2839.01 (security agency license; misdemeanor penalty of up to $1,000 fine or 1 year) was repealed. It was replaced by § 47-2853.208, which requires a Public Safety Services basic business license plus Chief of Police approval and gives the DLCP Director civil-penalty authority for violations of § 47-2853.208 or the agency provisions of 17 DCMR Ch. 21. D.C. Law 24-333 § 5(b)(34), (d)(4); D.C. Law 25-217 § 7286 [9]
• 2026-09-25Permanent 4-year basic business license ($198 initial and renewal); BBL terms now 6 months, 2 years or 4 years; late-renewal window extended; refunds of erroneously paid fees. This follows emergency D.C. Act 26-165 (Oct. 23, 2025), temporary D.C. Law 26-78 (Dec. 31, 2025) and emergency D.C. Act 26-399 (Aug. 10, 2026). D.C. Law 26-183 § 3(a)(2)-(5); D.C. Code §§ 47-2851.04, 47-2851.07(c), 47-2851.10, 47-2851.25 [39]
• 2025-10-286A DCMR 1101 (special police appointments under § 5-129.02) amended by the Peace DC Omnibus Amendment Act: § 1101.1 repealed; code references updated D.C. Law 26-52 § 2 [47]
• 2026-04-03Final rule amending 6A DCMR 1100. Special police officer qualifications: 21+, U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, HS diploma/GED or 1 year SPO experience, etc. Training: 16 + 24 hours pre-assignment, 16 hours OJT, 8 hours annual in-service. Also covers special privates. This finalizes the 2024-2025 emergency rules (N138463, N140952). The DCRegs compiled 1100 text is not yet updated. 73 DCR (Vol 73/14), Notice N144656 [48]
• 2026-03-02DLCP Transfer Policy: individual officers may work for the hiring agency for up to 15 days while a transfer application is processed; the agency must notify DLCP immediately if termination or dismissal occurs DLCP bulletin 03/02/2026 [27]
• 2026-03-13DLCP stopped printing hard-copy security ID cards and now issues digital licenses through AccessDC; officers may print and laminate them DLCP bulletin 03/13/2026 [28]
• undated (posted on DLCP security page as of 2026-11-09)15-day grace period: individual officers may keep working up to 15 days after expiration while a timely renewal (filed while the license was active) is processed (undated DLCP notice) DLCP notice [25]

• D.C. Code § 47-2853.208 — Detective and security agencies; security services occupations (BEST Act, applicable Oct. 1, 2025) [36]
• D.C. Code § 47-2853.207 — Definitions (Part Q-i Detective and Security Services) [37]
• D.C. Code § 47-2851.03 — Categories of basic business licenses (Public safety services) [38]
• D.C. Code § 47-2851.04 — Basic business license application and fees [39]
• D.C. Code § 5-129.02 — Appointment and regulation of special police officers and security officers [41]
• D.C. Code § 47-2839.01 [Repealed eff. Oct. 1, 2025] — Security agencies (former licensing statute) [40]
• 17 DCMR Chapter 21 (§§ 2100-2199), esp. §§ 2124-2127 — Security Officers and Security Agencies [46]
• 6A DCMR Chapter 11 — Special Police (agencies employing special police officers) [47]
• 73 DCR (Vol 73/14), Notice N144656 (final rule amending 6A DCMR 1100, eff. 2026-04-03) — Special police officer / special private appointment amendments (not yet compiled on DCRegs) [48]

1. D.C. Code § 47-2853.208 Detective and security agencies; security services occupations · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. D.C. Code § 47-2853.207 Definitions (Part Q-i Detective and Security Services) · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. D.C. Code § 47-2839.01 Security agencies [Repealed] · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. D.C. Code § 47-2851.03 Categories of basic business licenses; endorsements · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. D.C. Code § 47-2851.04 License application and fees · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. D.C. Code § 47-2853.04 Regulated non-health related occupations and professions · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. D.C. Code § 5-129.02 Special police officers and security officers; regulation · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. D.C. Law 24-333, Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive (BEST) Amendment Act of 2022 · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. D.C. Law 25-217, Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024 (excerpt, Sec. 7286) · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. D.C. Law 16-187, Enhanced Professional Security Amendment Act of 2006 (enrolled act) · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. D.C. Law 20-61, Security Licensing Streamlining Act of 2013 (excerpt) · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. D.C. Act 26-399, Business Licensing Reform and Accountancy Practice Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. D.C. Act 26-165, Revised Business Licensing Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. 17 DCMR Chapter 21, Security Officers and Security Agencies · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. 6A DCMR Chapter 11, Special Police · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. Notice of Second Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking, 6-A DCMR Ch. 11 (DLCP/MPD, 5/9/2025) · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. DLCP OPL District of Columbia Security Program page · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. DLCP Security Program Requirements - SAB New License · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. DLCP Security Program Requirements - SAI New License · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. DLCP Security Program Requirements - SAB Renewal · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. DLCP Security Program Requirements - SAI Renewal · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. DLCP/MPD SOMB Arrest Affidavit · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. DLCP/MPD SOMB Authorization to Release Information · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. DLCP Security Program Document Expiration Dates · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. DLCP Notice - 15-Day Grace Period While Processing Renewal Applications · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. DLCP Transfer / Designation Change Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. DLCP Notice: Security Program Transfer Policy Update (03/02/2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. DLCP Notice: Security Program Transition to Digital Identification Cards (03/13/2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
29. DLCP Security Program Requirements - Security Officer (SO) New License · retrieved 2026-11-09
30. DLCP - 13 Business Licensing Categories and 107 Business Activities under the BEST Act · retrieved 2026-11-09
31. DLCP - New Changes Ahead: DLCP Implements the BEST Act (Sept. 5, 2025) · retrieved 2026-11-09
32. DLCP Security Program Update (license expiration date policy) · retrieved 2026-11-09
33. DLCP Legislative Affairs and Policy page · retrieved 2026-11-09
34. MPD Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB) · retrieved 2026-11-09
35. MPD Security Personnel Resource Guide FAQs · retrieved 2026-11-09
36. D.C. Code § 47-2853.208 · retrieved 2026-11-09
37. D.C. Code § 47-2853.207 · retrieved 2026-11-09
38. D.C. Code § 47-2851.03 · retrieved 2026-11-09
39. D.C. Code § 47-2851.04 · retrieved 2026-11-09
40. D.C. Code § 47-2839.01 [Repealed] · retrieved 2026-11-09
41. D.C. Code § 5-129.02 · retrieved 2026-11-09
42. D.C. Code § 47-2853.04 · retrieved 2026-11-09
43. D.C. Law 26-183 Business Licensing Reform and Accountancy Practice Amendment Act of 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
44. D.C. Law 26-78 Revised Business Licensing Reform Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 · retrieved 2026-11-09
45. D.C. Law 26-52 Peace DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025 · retrieved 2026-11-09
46. 17 DCMR Chapter 21 · retrieved 2026-11-09
47. 6A DCMR Chapter 11 · retrieved 2026-11-09
48. Notice of Final Rulemaking, 6A DCMR Ch. 11 (4/3/2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
49. DCRegs section histories · retrieved 2026-11-09
50. DLCP Security Program page · retrieved 2026-11-09
51. DLCP Legislative Affairs and Policy · 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.