MINNESOTA SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Protective Agent License (issued to an individual/sole proprietor or to a corporation/LLC; the companion license is the Private Detective License) [1]

Who needs it. Any person (individual or corporation/LLC) that, for a fee, provides guards, private patrol or other security personnel; physically responds to alarms; provides armored car services; escorts funerals/oversized loads; provides crowd management; or transports prisoners. Advertising such services also requires the license. Proprietary employers using their own security staff only on their own property are exempt from licensing but must run the employee background check. Exemptions are listed in Minn. Stat. 326.3341. A special protective agent classification exists for funeral-procession/oversized-load escort only (326.3382 subd. 5), which need not meet the 6,000-hour experience requirement. [1]

Local licensing. Licensing is state-level only, through the Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services (Minn. Stat. 326.3381). Neither Minn. Stat. 326.32-326.339 nor Minn. R. ch. 7506 creates a county or city license for contract security companies, and the statute has no express preemption clause. Ordinary local business/tax registrations may still apply. Related state requirements: Secretary of State business/DBA registration and a Minnesota Department of Revenue tax ID (application checklist); a Minnesota address (physical or registered agent); a workers' compensation certificate (Minn. Stat. 176.182, application form); uniform and vehicle color rules (Minn. Stat. 626.88, 169.98). The board tells licensees to take questions about a firearm permit to carry to legal counsel.

Your guards. Minnesota has no state-issued individual security guard license/registration card. Instead, the licensed company must fingerprint each employee through the BCA (state and FBI check), keep them as conditional employees (training only) until cleared, issue its own employee ID card, and ensure 12 hours of pre-assignment training within 21 days of hire plus 6 hours annual continuing training (armed: 6-hour initial armed course and 6 more hours annually). The board FAQ links the BCA background-check page: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/background-checks.aspx. [10]

Role

Qualified Representative (QR) for a corporation/LLC; plus a Minnesota Manager (MM) when the applicant's principal place of business is outside Minnesota and it establishes a Minnesota office. An individual (sole proprietor) applicant qualifies personally. Corporations must also name a CEO and CFO (one person may hold several roles). [1]

Experience

Minimum 6,000 hours of employment as an investigator or protective agent with (1) a licensed protective agent or licensed private detective (with experience in security systems, audits, and supervision), (2) a U.S. government investigative service, (3) a city police department or sheriff's office, or (4) an occupation the board finds equivalent; documented by a statement under oath from a present or previous employer. Unlicensed activity does not count as experience. Under 326.3382 subd. 2(c) the sworn experience statement covers the individual applicant, the QR and the MM. Special protective agent classification (escort only) is exempt from the hours requirement (326.3382 subd. 5). [1]

Age & background

Each person signing the application must be at least 18; full set of fingerprints and written consent for BCA and FBI criminal history checks; no felony conviction and no conviction for listed offenses (criminal sexual conduct, assault, theft, burglary, robbery, weapons, narcotics, etc.); must demonstrate good character, honesty, and integrity. For a corporation, the CEO, CFO, QR, and MM (if any) must each meet the licensing requirements including the fingerprint check (as amended by Laws 2026, ch. 83). [1]

• Five references, on board forms, from persons who have known the signer at least five years and are not related by blood or marriage, plus a recent photograph and full set of fingerprints for each signer [1]
• Corporate applicants: the CEO, CFO, QR, and Minnesota manager (if one exists) must all meet licensing requirements, including the fingerprint-based background check [1]
• In-person interview by the board (Licensing Committee) of the applicant or the QR and Minnesota manager as part of the initial license review [2]
• After licensing, the QR/MM/individual must complete the 12-hour board-certified pre-assignment training within 21 days of license approval, and 6 hours of certified continuing training annually (plus 6 more annually if armed); CEO and CFO are not required to train [18]
• Minnesota manager need not be a Minnesota resident but must be actively involved in day-to-day management of the Minnesota office [10]
• Individuals who have a corporation relating to the business must apply as the corporation, not as an individual [13]
• A person engaged in unlicensed private detective/protective agent business is barred from applying for one year from the date of a finding of the violation [1]
• Officer change (new QR or MM): written notice plus full application materials are due within seven days of the change; fee $900 for a corporate/LLC protective agent license [30]
• Proprietary employers (in-house guards solely on their own property) do not need a license but must run the 326.336 subd. 1 employee background checks [1]

Insurance

Proof of financial responsibility, by ONE of: (d) certificate of insurance for general liability, completed operations, and personal injury (personal injury must cover false arrest/detention/imprisonment/malicious prosecution; libel/slander/defamation/privacy; wrongful entry/eviction), with insurer cancellation notice to the board; (e) annual CPA-signed net worth statement of at least $10,000 (no employees), $15,000 (1-10), $25,000 (11-25), $50,000 (26-50), $100,000 (51+); or (f) irrevocable letter of credit in the same amount. No minimum insurance dollar limit is stated. Rule 7506.0130 subp. 3 requires an original certificate plus a photocopy of the policy. Workers' compensation certificate of compliance is also required with the application. [1]

Surety bond

$10,000 surety bond to the State of Minnesota, executed by a surety authorized in Minnesota, naming the applicant as principal; must be maintained at each reissuance (board form: Bond of Private Detective or Protective Agent for Fee) [1]

Branch offices

No separate branch-office license was found. An out-of-state applicant that establishes a Minnesota office must provide a Minnesota manager meeting the licensing requirements; a Minnesota address (physical or registered agent) is required. Adding business names or corporate division names to an existing license requires a board-set fee (Minn. Stat. 326.3386 subd. 6). Address changes must be reported within seven days. [1]

• New protective agent license, Individual: $800 [9]
• New protective agent license, Corporation/LLC: $1,800 (application packet says these fees are 'current as of July 1, 2001') [14]
• If an application is denied, one-half of the license fee is refunded [1]
• Protective agent license renewal (2-year reissuance), by number of employees: 1 employee $480; 2-10 $650; 11-25 $820; 26-50 $990; 51+ $1,160 (renewal packet labels the first tier '0 -1 Employees'); employee count computed under Minn. R. 7506.0140 subp. 2 (30+ hrs/week = 1; part-time annual hours / 1500) [9]
• Renewal tier as printed in the 2026 renewal packet: '0 -1 Employees $480.00' (zero-employee licensees pay the first tier) [31]
• Officer change, Minnesota Manager or Qualified Representative (Corporate/LLC protective agent license): $900; CEO/CFO change: no fee (statute: designation fee equals one-half of the license fee) [9]
• License status change, Individual to Corporate/LLC (protective agent): $1,000 (statute: difference between individual and corporate license fee) Computed check: $1,800 - $800 = $1,000, consistent with Minn. Stat. 326.3386 ('the difference between the individual license fee and the corporate license fee shall be paid to the board'). [23]
• Status change fee basis in statute: the difference between the individual and corporate license fee [1]
• Business name change fee: $25 [18]
• Temporary military license (Minn. Stat. 197.4552) for a protective agent: $800 [1]
• Employee BCA background check (submitted by license holder to BCA): $33.25 per the 2024 License Holder Guide (BCA fee; verify current amount with BCA) [18]
• Payment by physical check or money order only, payable to 'MN Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services' [9]

1. (Optional) If the applicant has a criminal record, submit a Preliminary Application to the board for an eligibility determination under Minn. Stat. 214.035 (board must decide in writing within 60 days) [19]
2. Register the business (and all DBAs) with the Minnesota Secretary of State and obtain a Minnesota tax ID; download the Protective Agent INDIVIDUAL or CORPORATE/LLC application packet from the board's Box link [14]
3. Assemble the packet in order: application; Form SP:C1 business/tax information; workers' compensation form; criminal history informed consent form(s); personal reference forms; work reference/experience forms; $10,000 bond; plus proof of financial responsibility, fingerprints and photo for each signer, and the fee check [14]
4. Mail the entire package to the board office (1600 University Ave, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55104); incomplete packages may be returned [14]
5. Board posts notice of the application for 20 days and conducts a background investigation [1]
6. Licensing Committee (meets monthly) reviews the application and conducts an oral interview of the applicant [14]
7. If an initial application is not complete within four months, the board may require repeating part of the process or deny and require reapplication [2]
8. After issuance: complete 12-hour pre-assignment training within 21 days, issue employer ID cards (to yourself and each employee), and run BCA/FBI background checks on every employee before they work [18]

Renewal

License is effective for two years. Reissuance without further board review on a board form with a list of all current employees and return of the expired license; must maintain the $10,000 bond and financial responsibility. Renewal packet is due on the first day of the month in which the license expires; an Affidavit of Training (Excel) for all employees is required, and the license will not be renewed without proof all employees met training requirements. Late/incomplete renewals may receive a 60-day contingent license (penalty up to $50) or be treated as lapsed for 60 days (penalty up to $100). Rule 7506.0130: contingent license (60 days) where problems can be corrected, admin penalty up to $50; lapsed license (60 days from expiration) penalty up to $100, no business may be conducted while lapsed, and if the lapsed license expires a new application is required. [1]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Disqualified (326.3381 subd. 3): conviction of (i) any felony (Minnesota, any other state, or U.S.); (ii) acts that in Minnesota would be criminal sexual conduct, assault, theft, larceny, burglary, robbery, carjacking, unlawful entry, extortion, defamation, buying/receiving stolen property, unlawful weapons, unlawful burglary tools, escape, or unlawful narcotics; (iii) foreign convictions for such acts unless fully pardoned or similarly relieved; false statements to the board; failure to show good character, honesty and integrity. Engaging in unlicensed activity bars applying for one year from the finding. The statute has no general waiver procedure. The Criminal Offenders Rehabilitation Act (ch. 364) does not apply to eligibility for a PD/PA license where the applicant was discharged from sentence within the ten preceding years for listed offenses: homicide/assault 609.185-609.2114 and 609.221-609.223, criminal sexual conduct, 617.23 subd. 2/3, chapter 152 offenses carrying 15+ years, and DWI/leaving the scene/reckless or careless driving (Minn. Stat. 364.09(a)). The 326.3381 disqualifiers apply regardless. A binding pre-application eligibility determination is available under Minn. Stat. 214.035 (written decision within 60 days). [1]

• 2026-08-01Laws 2026, ch. 83 (H.F. 4151), sec. 8 (326.3381 subd. 4): instead of 'one member' qualifying, the CEO, CFO, qualified representative and Minnesota manager (if any) of a corporate applicant must ALL meet the licensing requirements, including the BCA/FBI fingerprint check. The act has no effective-date clause and no appropriation, so it took effect August 1, 2026 under Minn. Stat. 645.02. Signed May 12, 2026. Laws 2026, ch. 83, §§ 1-12, amending Minn. Stat. §§ 326.32, 326.33, 326.3381, 326.3382, 326.3385, 326.3386 [3]
• 2026-08-01Laws 2026, ch. 83, secs. 1-7, 9-12: partnership removed as a licensable entity (definitions of applicant, license holder, Minnesota manager, proprietary employer, qualified representative; application signatures; successor-officer notice; designation fee). Licenses are now individual or corporate only. Board forms (renewal packet, officer-change and status-change forms, 2024 license holder guide) still mention partnerships, and 326.3361 and 326.3382 subd. 2 (not amended) still say 'partner(ship)'. Laws 2026, ch. 83 (Minn. Stat. 326.32 subds. 8, 10, 10a, 10c, 12; 326.33 subd. 1; 326.3381 subd. 2; 326.3382 subds. 1, 4; 326.3385 subd. 2; 326.3386 subd. 3) [3]
• 2026-08-01Laws 2026, ch. 83, sec. 11 (326.3385 subd. 2): within seven days of a signer's death, resignation or removal, the successor QR, MM, CEO or CFO must qualify under the same procedure as an original applicant (partner reference removed). Laws 2026, ch. 83, sec. 11 [29]
• 2026-08-01Effective-date rule applied to Laws 2026, ch. 83 (no appropriation; signed May 12, 2026) Minn. Stat. § 645.02 [5]
• 2025-07-01 (derived from Minn. Stat. 645.02; act signed May 23, 2025)Laws 2025, ch. 35, art. 7, sec. 14 amends 326.338 subd. 4(6): transporting prisoners or persons arrested on a warrant is excluded from protective agent activity when the transfer is done by a person employed by a federal law enforcement agency, in addition to peace officers. Section 14 has no effective-date line, and ch. 35 contains appropriation items (arts. 1-2). Under Minn. Stat. 645.02 para. 2 it therefore took effect July 1, 2025. This date is derived, not stated in the act. In force before 2027-01-01 either way. Laws 2025, ch. 35, art. 7, § 14, amending Minn. Stat. § 326.338, subd. 4 [4]
• n/aBasis for the July 1 default for acts with appropriation items (applies to Laws 2025 c 35): Minn. Stat. 645.02 Minn. Stat. 645.02 [5]
• n/aNo enacted law taking effect after 2027-01-01 was found. The 2026 Minnesota Statutes history notes list only 2025 c 35 and 2026 c 83 as 2025-2026 amendments, with no future-effective notes. Minn. Stat. 326.3381 history note [28]

• Minn. Stat. §§ 326.32 to 326.339 (2026) — Private Detectives and Protective Agents (definitions, board, licenses, application, bond/insurance, training, fees, discipline) [1]
• Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 83 (H.F. 4151) — Modifying eligibility of certain applicants for private detective/protective agent licenses (removes partnership licenses; CEO/CFO/QR/MM must meet licensing requirements); eff. Aug. 1, 2026 [3]
• Laws of Minnesota 2025, chapter 35, article 7, section 14 — Amends 326.338 subd. 4 (prisoner-transport exception extended to federal law enforcement) [4]
• Minn. Stat. § 214.035 — Licensing Disqualifications; Preliminary Applications; Reports [6]
• Minn. Stat. § 364.09 — Criminal Offenders Rehabilitation Act - Exceptions (private detective/protective agent eligibility) [7]
• Minn. Stat. §§ 626.88, 169.98 — Security guard uniforms and vehicle colors/markings [8]
• Minn. Stat. 645.02 — Effective date and time of laws (default effective-date rules) [5]
• Minn. R. ch. 7506 (parts 7506.0100 to 7506.2900) — Private Detectives and Protective Agents [2]

1. Minnesota Statutes 2026, sections 326.32 to 326.339 · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. Minnesota Rules chapter 7506, Private Detectives and Protective Agents · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 83 (H.F. 4151) · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. Laws of Minnesota 2025, chapter 35, article 7, section 14 (excerpt) · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. Minnesota Statutes section 645.02, Effective Date and Time of Laws · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. Minnesota Statutes section 214.035, Licensing Disqualifications; Preliminary Applications · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. Minnesota Statutes section 364.09, Exceptions · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. Minnesota Statutes sections 626.88 and 169.98 (security guard uniforms and vehicles) · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. PDB License fees web page · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. PDB About the Board page and FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. PDB General licensing information, License holders, Forms, Contact, Rules and statutes pages · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. PDB Training page · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. PDB Requirements and Procedures for Application (Licensing Requirements Summary) · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. Protective Agent - CORPORATE or LLC License Application 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. Protective Agent - INDIVIDUAL License Application 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. License Renewal Packet 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. Verification of Licensure For Out of State Entities · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. PDB License Holder Guide 2024 · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. PDB Background History Preliminary Application · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. PDB 2026 Agency Overview · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. PDB Officer Change Application - QR/MM · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. PDB Officer Change Application - CEO/CFO · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. PDB License Status Change Application 2024 · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. PDB License Name Change Form 2024 · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. PDB Core Training Capsules - Content Objectives Guide - Protective Agents · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. PDB Core Training Content Objectives - Armed Persons · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. PDB Workers' Compensation Certificate of Compliance form · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. Minnesota Statutes 2026, sections 326.32 to 326.339 (Private Detectives and Protective Agents) · retrieved 2026-11-09
29. Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 83 (H.F. 4151) · retrieved 2026-11-09
30. MN PDB - Officer Change Application Form (Qualified Representative / Minnesota Manager) · retrieved 2026-11-09
31. MN PDB - License Renewal Packet 2026 · retrieved 2026-11-09
32. MN PDB - General licensing information, License holders, Forms, and Rules-and-statutes pages · retrieved 2026-11-09
33. MN PDB - Contact page · retrieved 2026-11-09
34. MN PDB - About the Board page with FAQ and stipulation/consent orders · retrieved 2026-11-09
35. Minnesota Rules, chapter 7506 (Private Detectives and Protective Agents) · 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.