ILLINOIS SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Private Security Contractor Agency license (IDFPR profession prefix 122; agency forms and rule 1240.550 call it a 'certificate of registration'). The agency must have a full-time licensee-in-charge who holds an individual Private Security Contractor license (prefix 119), which is the credential that requires the exam. [1]

Who needs it. Any person, firm, corporation, LLC or other entity in the private security contractor business (furnishing security officers, watchmen, patrol, guard dog, canine odor detection, bodyguard or similar services on a contractual basis for a fee) that employs one or more persons in addition to the licensee-in-charge. An individual/sole proprietor with no employees may operate under a d/b/a registered with IDFPR on the individual PSC license without an agency license (10-5(a)). Proprietary (in-house, single-employer) security officers are exempt from PSC licensure (25-5(3)). [1]

Local licensing. State-only. 225 ILCS 447/50-25 provides that the power to regulate the private security business or its employees 'shall be exercised exclusively by the State and may not be exercised by any unit of local government, including home rule units'.

Your guards. Every non-exempt agency employee must hold a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC, IDFPR code 129): age 18+ (21+ if armed), fingerprint check through ISP/FBI, executed Employee's Statement furnished to the employer; $55 fee; armed employees also need a Firearm Control Card; guards need 20 hours basic training within 30 days, 8 more hours within 6 months and 8 hours annual refresher (25-20). PERCs expire May 31 every 3 years; applications and renewals are filed through IDFPR's online system (online-dfpr.micropact.com per the profession page). [1]

Role

Private security contractor licensee-in-charge: a full-time management employee or owner, designated by the agency, who holds an individual Illinois Private Security Contractor (119) license; a PSC may be licensee-in-charge of only one agency. [1]

Experience

3 of the 5 years immediately preceding application as a full-time manager for a licensed PSC agency or manager of a registered proprietary security force of 30+ persons, OR full-time supervisor of an in-house security unit of a 100+ employee corporation, a military police/related unit, or a federal/state/local law enforcement agency (incl. state's attorney, public defender, Dept. of Corrections). Substantially equivalent out-of-state agency management experience may be accepted. Baccalaureate in police science/related field or business = credit for 2 of the 3 years; associate degree (police science/related/business) = 1 year; qualifying non-degree military police-science training = 1 year. Rule 1240.200(b): a 'year' = 12 months averaging 20+ work days/month, 1500+ hours annually. [1]

Age & background

At least 21; no felony conviction unless 10+ years since full discharge of sentence; good moral character (continuing requirement; non-felony convictions considered but not an absolute bar except registered sex offenders); not adjudged incompetent (unless restored); no alcohol/narcotic dependence; not dishonorably discharged; no prior unlicensed practice (Sec. 10-5); fingerprints required. [1]

• Must pass an examination authorized by the Department. [1]
• Must submit fingerprints, proof of general liability insurance, and the license fee. [1]
• Rule definition of a qualifying 'year' of experience. [2]
• Experience documented on IDFPR supporting forms VE-SAC (PSC agency manager), VE-PSF (proprietary force manager), VE-DSC (supervisor/military/law enforcement/out-of-state); DD214 for military police; transcripts or form ED for education credit. [4]
• Fingerprints must be taken within 60 days of submitting the application (or VE-PEC retired peace officer verification in lieu). [4]
• Licensee-in-charge must be a full-time officer/employee and participate in agency affairs (employee recordkeeping, training, conduct, review/approval of contracts), keep audit files in Illinois (or at the named out-of-state office), and maintain the corporation/LLC's good standing with the Secretary of State. [2]
• No private security contractor may be licensee-in-charge of more than one agency. [1]
• Licensed PSCs must complete at least 4 hours of annual training reasonably related to PSC practice (starting the calendar year after licensure) and keep a personal training log for at least 5 years. [1]
• A successful exam score is valid for 3 years. [2]
• On death/termination of the licensee-in-charge, the agency may request within 10 days a temporary certificate of authority valid up to 90 days, with up to 2 extensions of 90 days each; not available where the loss is due to discipline for conduct on behalf of the agency. [1]

Exam

Private Security Contractor Written (CTS: 'Illinois 119 - Private Security Contractor') [10]

Who sits it

The individual applicant for the Private Security Contractor (119) license, who then serves as the agency's licensee-in-charge. The agency license (122) itself has no separate exam. [1]

Administered by

Continental Testing Services, Inc. (CTS), La Grange, Illinois [9]

Delivery

Written exam on fixed scheduled dates at a CTS site in Hillside, IL; $298.00 exam fee paid to CTS. Recent/upcoming dates: Oct 28, 2026 (IDFPR deadline Sep 23, 2026; CTS deadline Oct 7, 2026); Feb 24, 2027 (CTS deadline Feb 03, 2027); Jun 16, 2027 (CTS deadline May 26, 2027). Statute requires exams at least twice a year. Paper vs. computer format is not stated. [10]

Questions

75 [11]

Time limit (minutes)

90 [11]

Passing score

70 or above [2]

Retakes

Score below 70 = failure notice; unlimited retakes while employment/education qualification and application remain valid; wait for the official CTS result letter, re-apply online at CTS as a retake and pay the fee again; no make-ups, no refunds. Statute 10-35(d): fee forfeited if the exam is not taken within 1 year of filing; application denied if not passed within 3 years of filing (new application allowed). [11]

Candidate handbook ↗

Insurance

Commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, in the name of the individual Private Security Contractor licensee, evidenced by an insurer's certificate; required before license issuance and at each renewal; failure to maintain = cancellation without hearing (25-10(b)). Statute delegates the amount to rule; rule 1240.200 sets $1,000,000. No separate agency-level insurance amount found. [2]

Branch offices

Each branch office (a location removed from the licensed place of business where required employee records are kept, new employees are processed, or the public transacts business) needs its own branch office license before operating; must use the agency's identical name (a different name requires a new agency license); relocation requires a new branch application; P.O. box alone not acceptable. $200 application; $200 renewal. [2]

• Individual Private Security Contractor license application: $500 (plus exam fee paid to the testing service) [2]
• CTS exam fee: $298.00 per sitting [10]
• Agency license application: $500 (rule; confirmed on form IL486-0473) [2]
• Agency application fee as stated on the agency form [5]
• Branch office license application: $200 per location [2]
• Individual PSC license renewal: $150 per year (3-year cycle) [2]
• Agency license renewal: $450 per renewal period [2]
• Branch office renewal: $200 per renewal period [2]
• PERC issuance: $55 [2]
• PERC renewal: $45 per renewal period [2]
• Firearm control card issuance: $75 [2]
• Firearm control card renewal: $45 per renewal period [2]
• Restoration (other than from inactive): $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees [2]
• Exam score review: $20 plus any testing service fee [2]

1. Qualifying individual applies to IDFPR for the 119 Private Security Contractor license through the CORE online system (not directly to CTS), with experience verification forms, transcripts if using education credit, and fingerprints taken within 60 days. [12]
2. Application and supporting documents (incl. work-experience verification) must be on file at least 60 days before the exam date (rule); IDFPR's posted deadline for the Oct 28, 2026 exam was Sep 23, 2026. [2]
3. IDFPR emails an 'Authority to Sit for an Examination' with an ID number; the candidate then applies at continentaltesting.net and pays the $298 testing fee. [12]
4. Take the written exam at Hillside, IL; official results usually within four weeks; 70 or higher passes. [12]
5. After passing, provide proof of $1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance in the individual's name (plus fingerprint verification and the $500 license fee); individual PSC license issued. [4]
6. Agency files paper form IL486-0473 (Security Contractor Agency - 122) with $500 fee, naming the licensee-in-charge; corporations/LLCs attach Articles, Certificate of Good Standing (within 60 days), officer/director or member list; mail to IDFPR, P.O. Box 7007, Springfield; allow eight business weeks before inquiring. [5]
7. Obtain a branch office license (form IL486-0468, $200) for each additional location before operating it. [1]
8. Each non-exempt employee must apply for a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) and complete required training (guards: 20 hours basic within 30 days, 8 more within 6 months, 8 hours annual refresher). [1]

Renewal

Agency certificates (and branch office certificates) expire August 31 every 3 years; renew during the month preceding expiration (statute 10-25(c): during the 30 days preceding expiration) with fee ($450 agency, $200 branch). Individual PSC licenses expire May 31 every 3 years ($150/yr) with proof of continued liability insurance; PERCs expire May 31 every 3 years. At renewal licensees report business location, active/inactive status and insurance. A change in home/office address or of the licensee-in-charge must be reported within 10 days (statute 35-20); rule 1240.501(c) and statute 10-37 say 14 days for address changes - use 10 days. Inactive status max 3 years and restoration after >3 years lapse requires proof of competence (statute 10-25(c)); rules 1240.560/.561 still say 6 years - statute controls. [2]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Individual PSC/licensee-in-charge: felony conviction bars licensure unless 10+ years since full discharge of sentence; registered sex offender is an absolute bar; other convictions weigh on good moral character (a continuing requirement); also incompetency (unless restored), alcohol/narcotic dependence, dishonorable discharge, prior unlicensed practice (Sec. 10-5). Agency (corporation/LLC): all unlicensed officers and directors must be of good moral character. Since P.A. 104-558 (eff. 7-10-2026), IDFPR must weigh the 20 ILCS 2105/2105-131(a) factors (relationship of offense to the profession, rehabilitation, time elapsed, etc.) before a conviction-based denial and give written notice of denial; a good-moral-character denial based on a conviction is permitted only when required by the professional Act (the 225 ILCS 447 felony 10-year and sex-offender bars remain). PERC employees: presumed unfit if convicted of felonies involving bodily harm, weapons, violence or theft in the prior 10 years. Discipline (Sec. 40-10) allows fines up to $10,000 per violation. No separate waiver procedure for the felony bar beyond the 10-year rule was found. [1]

• 2026-07-10Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Act: amends IDFPR's general conviction-review law (20 ILCS 2105/2105-131, 2105-135). IDFPR must consider factors such as the direct relationship of the offense to the profession, mitigating factors/rehabilitation, time since last conviction, and prior licensed history; a denial for lack of good moral character based on a prior conviction is permitted only when required by the relevant professional Act. (The ban on asking applicants to report arrests was pre-existing text, not new.) P.A. 104-558 (HB4762) [16]
• 2026-08-21First 2026 General Revisory Act: technical, non-substantive re-enactment of 225 ILCS 447/20-20 and 25-20 (training sections). Guard training (20/8/8 hours) and PSC 4-hour annual training unchanged in substance. P.A. 104-852 (SB3731), Sec. 660 [15]
• 2027-01-01Board restructured (225 ILCS 447/50-10): Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board reduced from 13 to 11 members (canine-odor-detection seat and one locksmith seat removed; still 3 licensed private security contractors); licensed members need 3 (was 5) years' experience; quorum = majority of appointed members. In force on the 2027 edition date. No change to licensing/exam requirements. P.A. 104-601 (HB4353) [1]
• 2027-01-01New 20 ILCS 2105/2105-379: no continuing-education credit toward renewal for courses that promote/instruct on services or practices prohibited by law (general IDFPR provision; whether it reaches the PSC 4-hour 'annual training' is uncertain). In force on the 2027 edition date. P.A. 104-777 (HB4826) [18]
• 2029-01-01 (scheduled repeal)Background (not new, not a 2027 change): every Article of 225 ILCS 447 is scheduled for repeal (sunset) on January 1, 2029 unless extended. No enacted change taking effect later in 2027 was found. 225 ILCS 447 repeal notes [1]

• 225 ILCS 447 (esp. Art. 5, 10, 25, 35, 40, 45, 50) — Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 [1]
• 225 ILCS 447/25-10 — Qualifications for licensure as a private security contractor [1]
• 225 ILCS 447/25-15 — Qualifications for licensure as a private security contractor agency [1]
• 20 ILCS 2105/2105-131, 2105-135 (as amended by P.A. 104-558, eff. 7-10-26) — Department of Professional Regulation Law - applicants with criminal convictions [16]
• 68 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1240 (esp. 1240.200, 1240.210, 1240.501, 1240.502, 1240.505, 1240.506, 1240.520, 1240.550, 1240.560, 1240.561, 1240.570); last amended 46 Ill. Reg. 16228, eff. 9-6-2022 — Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (rules) [2]

1. 225 ILCS 447 - Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (full act) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. 68 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1240 (entire Part) · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. IDFPR - Security Professions page · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. IDFPR Qualifications for Licensure: Private Security Contractor (119), Eff. 12/2024, Rev. 02/2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. IDFPR Form IL486-0473 Agency Application · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. IDFPR Form IL486-0468 Agency Branch Office Application · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. IDFPR Form IL486-2062 Temporary Certificate of Authority / Extension · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. IDFPR (129) PERC New Application Checklist · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. IDFPR Application Deadline/CTS Exam Schedule · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. Continental Testing Services - Illinois 119 Private Security Contractor exam page · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. CTS Private Detective and Private Security Contractor Licensure Examination Information (study guide, 2017) · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. CTS Online Application Instructions: 119 Licensed Private Security Contractor · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. CTS FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. Public Act 104-0601 (HB4353) · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. Public Act 104-0852 (SB3731) First 2026 General Revisory Act - excerpt · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. Public Act 104-0558 (HB4762) Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Act · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. Public Act 104-0558 - ILGA view page (effective date) · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. Public Act 104-0777 (HB4826) - 20 ILCS 2105/2105-379 · 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.