HAWAII SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Guard Agency license (license type GDA) issued by the board to a firm; the firm must employ a Principal Guard who holds an individual Guard license (GD). A sole proprietor operates under the individual Guard (GD) license rather than a separate agency license. [23]

Who needs it. Any firm (sole proprietor, corporation, joint venture, LLP, LLC, partnership, association or other entity) that engages in the guard business for hire, or represents/holds itself out/lists/advertises as a guard agency. Individuals in the guard business need an individual guard license (HRS 463-7(a)). The entity application (PDG-01) is for corporations, partnerships, JVs, LLCs and LLPs; sole proprietors use the individual application. A license is also required to submit bids for guard-service contracts (HAR 16-97-32). [23]

Local licensing. Licensing is statewide through the DCCA Board of Private Detectives and Guards; no county security-agency license is mentioned in any state source reviewed. Counties play defined roles inside the state scheme: uniforms/badges/emblems need approval of the board AND photographs go to the police department of each county where the licensee does business (HAR 16-97-14; DCCA uniforms page); weapons may be carried only with written authorization of the appropriate state agency or county chief of police (HAR 16-97-17); armed guards must hold a county police permit to acquire a firearm under HRS 134-2 (HRS 463-10.5(e)); the place of business must comply with county zoning (HAR 16-97-12). Two of the six appointed board members are county police chiefs (HRS 463-2).

Your guards. All guards and all persons acting in a guard capacity must register individually with the board as Guard Employees (GDE) before acting as a guard: 18+, HS (attestation allowed), fitness and FBI/Hawaii criminal checks, 8 hours of board-approved classroom instruction before the first day, a written test, 4 hours supervised OJT, and 4 hours of classroom CE each triennial renewal (next GDE renewal June 30, 2027; $105 active). Armed guards need a county permit to acquire a firearm. Agencies file semiannual PDG-16a lists by July 31 and January 31 even with no changes. [23]

Role

Principal Guard (the agency's designated 'responsible principal'; additional principals are 'subordinate principals', designated on form PDG-17) [23]

Experience

Experience reasonably equivalent to at least four years of full-time guard work, verified on notarized form PDG-20. The board may accept employment under a licensed guard, as a guard for a private employer, as a police officer, or as a guard with a federal/state/county/municipal agency (HAR 16-97-35(b)(2)). [23]

Age & background

At least 18; high school education or equivalent; not presently suffering from a psychiatric/psychological disorder directly related and detrimental to performance; no conviction of a crime reflecting unfavorably on fitness (unless annulled/expunged); history of honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and fair dealing (HRS 463-8(a)(1)-(6)); FBI + Hawaii fingerprint-based criminal history check through HCJDC (Fieldprint code HI-DCCA-PDSG). [23]

• The principal must be licensed AND registered as a guard under HRS 463-10.5, and the firm must post the HRS 463-12 bond. [23]
• Principal must pass the written exam and personally appear before the board for an oral review; the principal for any agency must also appear for the agency's oral review. [21]
• Board-required training and experience areas for guard license applicants (laws and rules, fire and evacuation procedures, arrest and evidence, patrol, incident investigation/documentation, court testimony, screening, use of force under HRS ch. 703). [21]
• Education proof accepted: certified HS diploma/certificate, certified HS transcript, DOE equivalency statement, or certified associate/bachelor/master/doctorate degree. [21]
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, or work authorization. [21]
• Employees or reserve officers of any law enforcement agency may not hold any chapter 463 license. [21]
• An individual may be responsible principal for at most two agencies, and only under listed common-ownership/subsidiary-JV/family conditions with board satisfaction. [21]
• Responsible principal duties include signing/initialing all contracts, keeping records, pre-employment and periodic criminal history checks of employees, and documenting employee training. [21]
• On death, incapacity or dissociation of the responsible principal, notify the board within 60 days and apply to qualify a new principal (or go inactive) within 90 days. [21]
• Permanent place of business in Hawaii under the direct management and control of the licensed principal. [21]
• A corporation, partnership or joint venture may hold not more than one guard agency license; licenses are not transferable, assigned or loaned (HAR 16-97-33). [21]
• A corporation, partnership, JV, LLC or LLP must have at least one Principal; designation filed on form PDG-17. [12]
• No reciprocity with other states: all applicants must meet the same licensing and examination requirements. [29]

Exam

Hawaii Security Guard - Principal Examination (PSI test name 'Security Guard - Principal'; DCCA calls it the 'Private Detective and Guard board examination') [33]

Who sits it

The individual Principal Guard (or sole-proprietor guard) applicant, on the individual Guard license application - not the agency entity. Exempt if, within one year before applying, the applicant qualified by written exam or was licensed in good standing/inactive in the same classification (HAR 16-97-40.1). An agency application is abandoned if the principal fails to take and pass the exam within one year of becoming eligible. [21]

Administered by

PSI Services LLC (register only after the board's approval letter; test-takers.psiexams.com/hitrade or (833) 333-4754) [8]

Delivery

Computer-based through PSI, either at a PSI test center (Honolulu, Kapaa, Kahului, Kailua Kona listed) or remote online proctored; score displayed on screen at the end. Eligibility valid 12 months. (Previously proctored in-house by the PVL Exam Branch until the 2023 switch to PSI.) [33]

Questions

40 [33]

Time limit (minutes)

60 [33]

Passing score

75% (HAR 16-97-41; PSI bulletin and application agree) [21]

Open book

No [33]

Retakes

After two consecutive failed attempts, must wait 90 days from the last failed administration (HAR 16-97-41.1); otherwise, space permitting, may retest within two business days (not same day) per PSI; PSI retake fee $50 (PSI portal). HAR 16-97-27 says a reexamination application must be filed at least 30 days before the exam (pre-PSI rule). Must pass and secure a license within one year of filing or reapply as a new applicant. [21]

Candidate handbook ↗

Surety bond

Surety bond of not less than $5,000 executed by the applicant as principal and a surety company authorized in Hawaii, on board form PDG-05 (notarized), conditioned on honest conduct of the business; termination/cancellation not effective until 30 days after the board receives notice; failure to maintain the bond = immediate suspension until a successor bond is filed. Submitted after board approval and before license issuance. Applies to each license (agency and the principal/sole-proprietor license), not to guard employee registrations. [23]

Branch offices

No separate branch-office license or fee found; each agency branch office must have a responsible full-time manager, and the main permanent Hawaii place of business must be under direct management of the licensed principal. [21]

• Agency application fee: $50 (nonrefundable) - HAR 16-53-34(1)(A); the 2026-03 agency application agrees. The board's 2021 FAQ says Entity $100; the rule and current form control. [20]
• Agency application fee per current form: $50, nonrefundable, payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs [1]
• Conflicting older figure: 2021 FAQ lists Entity application fee $100 (contradicted by HAR 16-53-34 and the 2026-03 form; treated as outdated) [29]
• Agency initial license fees payable on approval: $344 if issued July 1 of an even-numbered year to June 30 of an odd-numbered year ($66 license + $148 CRF + $130 half renewal); $140 if issued July 1 odd year to June 30 even year ($66 + $74 CRF) [1]
• Agency initial license fee, odd-to-even-year issuance: $140 ($66 license + $74 CRF) [1]
• HAR fee components for guard agencies: original license $66; first year of biennium $196; second year $66; biennial renewal $260; penalty $100; reactivation $60; inactive $12; CRF $74 / biennial CRF $148 [20]
• Agency biennial renewal (on time, active) for July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028: $408 (= HAR $260 renewal + $148 biennial CRF); inactive $12 [10]
• Agency restoration (late renewal within 1 year): $508 active (= $408 + $100 penalty) / $112 inactive [10]
• Reactivation fee (detective, guard, detective agency or guard agency): $60 [20]
• Principal Guard (individual) application checklist: $50 application fee + $50 exam fee, both payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs [3]
• PSI examination fee: $50 (nonrefundable, non-transferable, valid one year); PSI portal also lists RetakeFee $50 and optional CancellationProtectionFee $6.95 [33]
• HAR exam fee rule: $50, or as set by agreement between the board and a professional testing service [20]
• Principal Guard initial license fees: $280 if issued even-to-odd year ($34 license + $148 CRF + $98 half renewal) or $108 ($34 + $74 CRF) [3]
• Principal Guard (GD) biennial renewal: $344 active (= $196 + $148 CRF), $12 inactive; restoration $419 active / $87 inactive [10]
• Dishonored-payment service charge: $25 [1]
• Fingerprinting (FBI + Hawaii CHRC) fees paid directly to Fieldprint; amount not stated by the board [6]

1. Register the entity (and any trade name) with DCCA's Business Registration Division; attach file-stamped documents (registered <1 yr) or a Certificate of Good Standing issued within 12 months (registered >1 yr). [1]
2. If the principal is not already licensed in Hawaii, the Principal Guard files a separate individual Guard application (PDG-02) with the $50 application fee, $50 exam fee, proof of HS education, notarized PDG-20 experience verification(s) for 4 years, photo and fingerprints. [1]
3. Each officer, director, partner, manager or member (and the principal) is fingerprinted electronically through Fieldprint (code HI-DCCA-PDSG) for FBI and Hawaii checks. [1]
4. Each officer, director, partner, manager or member completes a notarized 10-year Employment Record (PDG-06). [1]
5. File the complete agency application (PDG-01), designating the principal and a Hawaii business location (no P.O. box), with fees at least 30 days before a board meeting (2026 meetings: Mar 11, May 13, Jul 8, Sep 9, Nov 4; Jan 14 cancelled). [1]
6. After board approval for examination, the principal registers with PSI and must pass the Security Guard - Principal exam with at least 75%. [3]
7. Board oral review: the Principal must appear; an officer, director, partner, manager or member may be required to appear (waivable for prior appearance or out-of-state travel hardship, HAR 16-97-26(e)). Bring uniform/badge photographs for the board and each county police department if used. [1]
8. After board approval, submit the notarized $5,000 bond (PDG-05) and license fees before the license issues. [1]
9. Licensing must be completed within one year of filing (and the exam taken within one year of eligibility) or the application is abandoned and fees forfeited. [21]
10. Ongoing: file semiannual employee registration lists (PDG-16a) by July 31 and January 31 even if no hires/terminations. [7]

Renewal

Biennial: all licenses (including inactive) renew on or before June 30 of each even-numbered year regardless of issue date; current period July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028 (next deadline June 30, 2028). Renewal requires fees, conviction and psychiatric-treatment disclosures, and a current bond. Unrenewed licenses are automatically forfeited; restorable within one year with delinquent and penalty fees, after which a new application is required. No continuing-education requirement for agency/principal licenses was found (CE applies to guard employee registrations). [23]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Statute bars applicants/principals with a conviction reflecting unfavorably on fitness (unless annulled/expunged), a detrimental psychiatric disorder, or lacking honesty/financial integrity (HRS 463-8). The board may deny for inaccurate/false information, illegal conduct, detrimental background/character, or detrimental psychiatric treatment; applicants may present mitigating evidence (age of conviction, circumstances, rehabilitation) and a practitioner's fitness statement (HAR 16-97-29). HRS 436B-19 grounds also apply. HRS 831-3.1 generally limits reliance on convictions to those within the past 10 years (excluding incarceration) rationally related to the occupation; older convictions only if directly related. Denied applicants may demand a hearing within 60 days (HAR 16-97-30). [21]

• 2025-05-27 (takes effect upon approval; approved May 27, 2025)SLH 2025 Act 83 (H.B. 991) amended HRS 846-2.7 (criminal history record check authorizations); paragraph (17) - board of private detectives and guards checks on applicants under s 463-9 - carried forward. No substantive change to guard agency licensing. SLH 2025, Act 83 [35]
• 2025-07-01SLH 2025 Act 163 (S.B. 1365) also re-enacted HRS 846-2.7, again carrying forward paragraph (17) for the board unchanged. No substantive change to guard agency licensing. SLH 2025, Act 163 [34]
• 2025-11-18Not a law change: PSI issued the current Security Guard - Principal Candidate Information Bulletin dated 11/18/2025 (40 items, 60 minutes, 75%, closed book, five-area content outline). PSI CIB [33]
• 2026-03Not a law change: agency/principal application packets reissued (form files dated 2026-03); amounts match HAR 16-53-34. PDG-00 0326 [3]
• 2027-06-30Scheduled, not new law, AFTER the 2027-01-01 edition date: guard employee (GDE) triennial registration renewal due June 30, 2027 for July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030 (renewals accepted May 3 - June 30, 2027; 4-hour CE required). HRS 463-10.5(g); DCCA PVL program page [10]

• HRS chapter 463 (secs. 463-1 to 463-17), esp. 463-1, 463-7, 463-8, 463-9, 463-10, 463-10.5, 463-12 — Private Investigators and Guards [23]
• HRS chapter 436B (esp. 436B-19) — Professional and Vocational Licensing Act [22]
• HRS 831-3.1 — Prior convictions; criminal records; noncriminal standards [25]
• HAR Title 16, Chapter 97 (secs. 16-97-1 to 16-97-50; comp. eff. 3/14/11) — Private Detectives and Guards [21]
• HAR 16-53-34 (chapter 16-53 am and comp 10/10/16) — Fees - Private detectives and guards [20]

1. Requirements & Instructions / Application for Private Detective or Guard Agency (PDG-03 1216R, PDG-01; form file 2026-03) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. Requirements, Instructions & Application - Guard Employee Registration (2026-03) · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. Requirements & Instructions / Application for Guard or Private Detective - Sole Proprietor or Principal (PDG-00 0326, PDG-02) · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. DCCA PVL - Board of Private Detective and Guards (composition) · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. DCCA PVL - Private Detective and Guard Bond Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. DCCA PVL - Criminal History Record Check Requirement · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. DCCA PVL - Employee Registration Reporting Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. DCCA PVL - Private Detective and Guard Application Deadline and Examination Dates · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. DCCA PVL - Application Forms and Publications · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. DCCA PVL - Board of Private Detectives and Guards program page (license types, renewal/restoration fees) · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. DCCA PVL - Board Meeting Schedule 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. DCCA PVL - Principal Detective and Guard Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. DCCA PVL - Apply for Other Status Change, Conversions, Principal · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. DCCA PVL - Use of Uniforms, Badges, Identification and Emblems · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. Bond - Private Detective, Guard or Agency (PDG-05) · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. Employee Registration Form for Guard Agency/Firm/Sole (PDG-16a) · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. Experience Verification - Guard (PDG-20) · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. Responsible and Subordinate Principal Detective/Guard Designation (PDG-17) · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. Reactivation/Status Change/Conversion Application for Private Detective and Guard (2016-11) · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16 Chapter 53 - Fees Relating to Boards and Commissions (am and comp 10/10/16), sec. 16-53-34 · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 16 Chapter 97 - Private Detectives and Guards (comp. eff. 3/14/11) · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 436B - Professional and Vocational Licensing Act · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 463 - Private Investigators and Guards (secs. 463-1 to 463-17) · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 703 - General Principles of Justification (exam reference) · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. Hawaii Revised Statutes 831-3.1 - Prior convictions; criminal records; noncriminal standards · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. Board of Private Detectives and Guards minutes, July 14, 2023 (draft; excerpt: exam/PSI report) · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. Board of Private Detectives and Guards minutes, May 13, 2026 (excerpt pp. 1-5) · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. Job Positions Exempt and Not Exempt from Guard Employee Registration (Act 208) · retrieved 2026-11-09
29. Board of Private Detectives and Guards - Frequently Asked Questions (5/21) · retrieved 2026-11-09
30. Definition of Acting in a Guard Capacity · retrieved 2026-11-09
31. Study Materials for Private Detective and Security Guard Exam (DCCA PVL Exam Branch, footer 010820) · retrieved 2026-11-09
32. PSI test-taker portal data (JSON) - Hawaii Trade account, 'Security Guard - Principal' test record · retrieved 2026-11-09
33. PSI Services LLC - Hawaii DCCA PVL Security Guard - Principal Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (11/18/2025) · retrieved 2026-11-09
34. Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, Act 163 (S.B. 1365) - Relating to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (re-enacts HRS 846-2.7) · retrieved 2026-11-09
35. Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, Act 83 (H.B. 991) - Relating to Criminal History Record Checks · 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.