MISSOURI SECURITY GUARD COMPANY LICENSING (LOCAL)

The license. No statewide license. Kansas City: 'company license' issued by the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City (17 CSR 10-2.020(5); application Form 5486 P.D. 'Application for Company License'). City of St. Louis (Private Security Section, which also serves St. Louis County under the 'Metro' arrangement): security agency registration/approval by the Private Security Section, then a City of St. Louis business license from the License Collector. [9]

Who needs it. Kansas City: any firm, company, partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship or political subdivision that provides private security services or proprietary private investigative services, or that employs individuals to perform them, within Kansas City. It needs a company license in addition to the individual licenses. Under RSMo 84.720.1 no person or organization may provide security services in the city without the board president's written license (class B misdemeanor). St. Louis City: anyone who wants to own or operate a contract security agency or in-house security force whose officers will work in the City of St. Louis. [9]

Local licensing. Missouri has no statewide license, agency or exam for contract security companies or guards, and nothing enacted creates one for 2027. HB 1312 (2025) and HB 2369 (2026), which would have created DPS statewide licensing from 1/1/2028, both died in committee. Licensing exists only where a statute gives a city's board of police commissioners licensing power, or where a local ordinance creates it. (1) Kansas City: RSMo 84.720 + 17 CSR 10-2 (Board of Police Commissioners / KCPD POLU). Company license; $1M liability insurance (or a $1M bond, or self-insurance with $5M audited net worth); $400 new / $300 annual renewal due Jan 31; individual Class A/B licenses with a department written exam. (2) City of St. Louis: RSMo 84.020.6(6) (re-enacted by 2025 H.B. 495) and 84.340 + 17 CSR 20-2 to 20-5 (Board of Police Commissioners / Private Security Section). Individual licenses (watchman, courier, security officer; corporate security advisors are now DPS-licensed under RSMo 590.750). Security agency registration under the 2026 'Guidelines for Registering a Security Agency': 2 years' experience, Secretary of State registration, EIN, $1M liability insurance, uniform approval, then a City business license from the License Collector. (3) St. Louis County: the County Police Central Police Records Unit lists 'professional security licensing'. The SLMPD guidelines say both the SLMPD and the St. Louis County Police Department apply the 2-year new-agency limit, and 17 CSR 20-2.025(8) says the 'Metro' license also covers St. Louis County. The St. (4) Other Missouri cities and counties (e.g., Springfield, Columbia, Independence, St. Joseph, St. Charles County) may license security businesses by ordinance; none were verified. Exemption: Missouri Gaming Commission occupational licensees who work as unarmed guards on or next to excursion gambling boats are exempt from 84.720 and from 'any other political subdivision licensing requirements for unarmed security guards' (84.720.2). The state board under RSMo 324.1100 ff. (renamed by 2026 S.B. 1421 the 'board of private investigators, private fire investigators, and professional surety bail bond agents') licenses PI businesses, not guard companies.

Your guards. Kansas City: every individual providing private security services and every direct supervisor of a security officer needs a board license (Class A or B, armed or unarmed: 21+ armed, 18+ unarmed; written exam; annual range qualification if armed). Licenses are tied to the employing company and become inactive if the company license lapses. St. Louis: except for St. Louis police officers, everyone performing a security function in the City must be licensed through the Private Security Section (watchman 18+, courier, security officer 21+; 2-day class and 70% test for security officers; licenses annual; a separate license per employer). [14]

Role

No qualifying-agent or manager role is defined in Missouri law or in either city's rules. St. Louis: the agency owner/operator ('persons seeking to own or operate a security agency') must meet the 2-year experience rule. Kansas City: the company application lists owners, partners, officers, directors and associates, plus the authorized contact persons/company representatives who sign Forms 5409. Each security firm must designate a 'training coordinator' for armed staff. [15]

Experience

St. Louis City/County: new agencies are limited to persons with two (2) years in the security field, as a licensed private security officer or police officer, shown by a letter to the Private Security Section (2026 Guidelines). The SLMPD web FAQ instead attributes the rule to 'St. Louis City ordinance' and describes the experience as 'either as a licensed officer or supervisor/manager'. Kansas City: 17 CSR 10-2 sets no experience requirement for a company license. Its 2-year experience options in 10-2.050(1)(C) apply only to individual proprietary private investigator applicants. [15]

Age & background

No age or background standard is written specifically for agency owners. Kansas City: every applicant to be licensed is fingerprinted for a Missouri State Highway Patrol criminal history check (RSMo 84.720.1). A company license may be put on probation, suspended or revoked if the company or 'any of its officers, directors, partners, or associates' has a felony or misdemeanor conviction, lacks good moral character, gave false information, etc. (17 CSR 10-2.060(2)). Form 5486 P.D. requires proof that the listed persons are U.S. citizens. St. Louis: owners unknown to the Section may have to show picture ID with name, SSN and date of birth. (The individual-licensee ages - KC 21 armed/18 unarmed; St. Louis 21, 18 for watchmen - apply to guard licenses, not to the agency.) [5]

• Kansas City company application (Form 5486 P.D.) must list owners/partners/officers/directors/associates and authorized contact persons, give proof they are U.S. citizens, and include the company's federal EIN. [9]
• Kansas City: nonresident applicants must file with the Missouri Secretary of State a written consent to the jurisdiction of Missouri courts before licensing. [9]
• Kansas City: each security firm designates a training coordinator responsible for firearms training of armed staff and for signing Form 5715. A coordinator who knowingly gives false information can be removed for 2 years. [9]
• Kansas City: licensees must maintain records the board requires (contract accounts, employment, time and assignment records). [9]
• St. Louis: the firm should be registered with the Missouri Secretary of State, with copies listing corporate officers and their mailing addresses. [15]
• St. Louis: the owner submits two color uniform photos (front and profile). Uniforms may not resemble City/County police uniforms. Armed personnel wear a button-up police/military style shirt with an approved patch reading 'SECURITY' or 'SECURITY OFFICER'. 'POLICE' is prohibited. [15]

Insurance

Kansas City: a certificate of liability insurance of $1,000,000 or the equivalent. It must name the Board as additional insured and certificate holder, cover all employees, state armed/unarmed coverage, and be written by an insurer approved by the Missouri superintendent of insurance. Failing to maintain insurance is grounds for revoking the company license. St. Louis City/County: proof of liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000.00, with certificate holder 'St. Louis City and County Police Departments, Private Security Section'. [9]

Surety bond

No surety bond is required as such. Kansas City allows a bond in the same amount ($1M), or self-insurance by a company with $5M audited net worth, as the 'equivalent' of the required $1M liability insurance. No bond requirement was found for St. Louis. [9]

• Kansas City - New Company License: $400.00 (17 CSR 10-2.040(1)(A), eff. 4-30-2024) [9]
• Kansas City - Company License Renewal: $300.00 (annual company fee due by January 31) [9]
• Kansas City - Change of Company Name: $150.00 for up to 15 employees, plus $10.00 per employee over 15 [9]
• Kansas City - individual licenses: Class A or Class B Armed $165.00 (renewal $110.00); Class A or Class B Unarmed $110.00 (renewal $85.00) [9]
• Kansas City - Written Test Failure: $85.00 [9]
• Kansas City - State/NCIC/FBI Annual Fingerprinting Fee: $50.00 [9]
• Kansas City - other: License Transfer $85.00; Reinstatement $85.00; Annual Range Fee (handgun) $100.00; Annual Range Fee (rifle) $200.00; Weapon Change $100.00. [9]
• Kansas City - all fees nonrefundable. Payment by cash, credit/debit card, money order, cashier's check, or a check drawn on a licensed company's account. [9]
• St. Louis - fee amounts are not in the rule. The board sets them and posts the schedule in the Private Security Section office (not found online). No refunds after the date of application, and fees must be paid in full at application. [10]

1. KC 1: Complete Form 5486 P.D. 'Application for Company License' (trade/legal name, addresses, principal, fictitious-name registration, out-of-state corporation registration and Missouri certificate of good standing, license history, uniform description/photo, approximate number of licensees, company-owned firearms, owners/officers list, authorized contact persons, citizenship proof, EIN). Instructions are in Form 5297 P.D.; forms are at www.kcpd.org. [9]
2. KC 2: File the $1M liability insurance certificate naming the Board (nonresidents also file a consent to jurisdiction with the Missouri Secretary of State) and pay the $400 new company fee. [9]
3. KC 3: Get the company name approved by POLU and the uniform pre-approved (company name and the word 'security' on the uniform or patch; no 'police'). [9]
4. KC 4: Furnish photographs and descriptions of all vehicles used in the business. [9]
5. KC 5: License each security officer and direct supervisor individually: Form 5409 P.D. 'Intent to Hire', signed by the company's designated authorized representative, plus fingerprint check, written exam, and range qualification if armed. [9]
6. STL 1: Send the Private Security Section a letter documenting the owner's 2 years' experience and saying whether officers will be uniformed or uniform-exempt and armed or unarmed. Firms already operating elsewhere send a request on company letterhead. [15]
7. STL 2: Provide Missouri Secretary of State registration papers (with corporate officers and their addresses), federal/state EINs, and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. Owners unknown to the Section may have to show picture ID. [15]
8. STL 3: Present two color photographs of the uniform (front and profile) and get the company patch approved. [15]
9. STL 4: The Private Security Section issues a letter of introduction to the License Collector's Office (City Hall Room 104). The firm gets a St. Louis business license, forwards a copy to the Section, and is then placed on active status. [15]
10. STL 5: Each guard is licensed individually at the Private Security Section, bringing a color photo ID and a dated employer letter no more than ten days old. [14]

Renewal

Kansas City: the company license renews annually. The company fee ($300 renewal) is due by January 31 each year; if unpaid, the company license expires and all employee licenses become inactive. Individual licenses renew annually with a new Form 5409 P.D. and fingerprint fee. St. Louis: no renewal term for the agency registration was found. Individual licenses are valid one year and renewed annually (17 CSR 20-2 requires a 7-hour renewal training program for private security officers). [9]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Kansas City company: the chief may order probation, suspension or revocation if the licensee or any officer/director/partner/associate fails the qualifications, has a felony or misdemeanor conviction, lacks good moral character (fraud, dishonesty, violence, bribery, illegal drug use, sexual misconduct; ordinance DWI/DUI considered case-by-case), gave false information, or is otherwise unsuitable. Lapse of insurance is grounds for revocation. Procedure: notice from the chief; written request for review within 5 days; a hearing officer decides on the record with no right to a hearing; appeal to the board within 10 days. Denied individual applicants may appeal in writing within 30 days. St. Louis: a felony conviction automatically disqualifies an individual. An individual can be denied if 'the employer is not in good standing with the board of police commissioners'. Denied applicants may appeal to the board within 30 days. No waiver process for agency owners was found. [9]

• 2025-03-262025 H.B. 495 restored a governor-appointed St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners. It re-enacted RSMo 84.020 with subdivision 6(6) giving the board power to regulate and license all private watchmen, private detectives and private security in the city, and it repealed the 2013 local-control sections 84.341-84.347, including 84.343.1(5), under which the city itself had licensed private watchmen/detectives/policemen. Under the emergency clause (Section B) these sections took effect on the Governor's approval, 3/26/2025. As of 1/1/2027, St. Louis security licensing rests with the state-appointed board. SS#2 SCS HCS#2 HB 495 (2025); RSMo 84.020.6(6); repeal of 84.341-84.347 [2]
• 2025-03-26HB 495 governor approval date (emergency clause effective date). HB 495 (2025) bill actions [19]
• 2025-03-26 to no later than 2026-07-01HB 495 transition: the implementation period for the board's resumption of control ends no later than July 1, 2026, so it is complete before the 2027 edition date. RSMo 84.325 (2025 H.B. 495) [17]
• 2026-06 (publication)SLMPD posted updated 'Guidelines for Registering a Security Agency' (upload path /2026/06/). Mail and email now go to the St. Louis County Police Department Private Security Section, 7900 Forsyth, Room B021, Clayton. This is agency guidance, not a rule change. SLMPD Guidelines for Registering a Security Agency [15]
• n/a (not enacted; proposed licensing date 2028-01-01)NOT ENACTED: HB 2369 (2026) would have created statewide DPS licensing of security companies and guards starting January 1, 2028. Its last action was referral to Emerging Issues on 5/15/2026, and the session ended without passage. The similar HB 1312 (2025) was also referred on 5/15/2025 and died. Nothing already enacted takes effect later in 2027. HB 2369 (2026); HB 1312 (2025) [22]
• as of 2026-11-02No pending Title 17 (Boards of Police Commissioners) rulemakings. The Missouri Register's cumulative 'Rule Changes Since Update' table of Nov. 2, 2026 lists no 17 CSR entries. 51 MoReg (Vol. 51, No. 21) Rule Changes Since Update [37]
• 2026-08-28Tangential: 2026 S.B. 1421 amended RSMo 324.1100 (private investigators), renaming the board to include private fire investigators and professional surety bail bond agents, effective 8/28/2026. No change to guard company licensing. RSMo 324.1100 (A.L. 2026 S.B. 1421) [8]
• 2024-04-30Context (before the 2025 window): Kansas City rules 17 CSR 10-2 were rescinded and readopted effective April 30, 2024. That version ($400 new / $300 renewal company fees) is current; no later amendment appears. 17 CSR 10-2 [9]

• RSMo 84.720 — Police commissioners (Kansas City), power to regulate security personnel - fingerprint, criminal history record check - penalty - excursion gambling boat exception (eff. 8-28-2016) [5]
• RSMo 84.420 — Kansas City board of police - duties (cited with 84.720 in the PURPOSE statements of 17 CSR 10-2; the AUTHORITY lines cite 84.720 only) [6]
• RSMo 84.020.6(6) (A.L. 2025 H.B. 495, eff. 3-26-2025) — St. Louis board of police commissioners - power to regulate and license all private watchmen, private detectives, and private security [2]
• RSMo 84.340 (eff. 8-28-2014) — Board of police - power to regulate and license private watchmen, private detectives and private policemen (cities not within a county = St. Louis); except as provided in 590.750 [1]
• RSMo 84.012 (L. 2025 H.B. 495; revisor shows eff. 8-28-2025) — St. Louis ordinances may not conflict or interfere with powers of the board of police commissioners [3]
• RSMo 84.341-84.347 (Repealed L. 2025 H.B. 495, eff. 3-26-2025) — Former St. Louis local-control statutes; 84.343.1(5) had let the city itself license private watchmen/detectives/policemen [4]
• RSMo 590.750 — Department of Public Safety - sole authority to license corporate security advisors (individual; commission requires a peace officer license) [7]
• RSMo 324.1100-324.1106 (324.1100 A.L. 2026 S.B. 1421, eff. 8-28-2026) — Private investigators - state Board licenses PI businesses, not guard companies (context only) [8]
• 17 CSR 10-2.010-10-2.060 — Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security (rescinded and readopted eff. April 30, 2024; CSR update 3/31/24) [9]
• 17 CSR 20-2 — St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security Officers (CSR update 9/30/12) [10]
• 17 CSR 20-3 — St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Couriers [11]
• 17 CSR 20-4 — St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Private Watchmen [12]
• 17 CSR 20-5 (incl. 20-5.135 Contract Security Agency) — St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Corporate Security Advisor [13]

1. RSMo 84.340 Board of police - power to regulate private detectives (cities not within a county = St. Louis) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. RSMo 84.020 St. Louis board of police commissioners - powers and duties (as reenacted by 2025 H.B. 495) · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. RSMo 84.012 City ordinances may not conflict with board of police commissioners · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. RSMo 84.344 (Repealed L. 2025 H.B. 495) · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. RSMo 84.720 Police commissioners (Kansas City), power to regulate security personnel · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. RSMo 84.420 Kansas City board of police - duties · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. RSMo 590.750 Department of Public Safety - corporate security advisors · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. RSMo 324.1100-324.1106 Private investigators (definitions, board, prohibited acts, exemptions) · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. 17 CSR 10-2 Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. 17 CSR 20-2 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security Officers · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. 17 CSR 20-3 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Couriers · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. 17 CSR 20-4 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Private Watchmen · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. 17 CSR 20-5 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Corporate Security Advisor (incl. 20-5.135 Contract Security Agency) · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. SLMPD Private Security (Private Security Section) web page · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. SLMPD Guidelines for Registering a Security Agency (PDF, June 2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. St. Louis County Police - Records and Permits (Central Police Records Unit) · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. SS#2 SCS HCS#2 HB 495 (2025) Truly Agreed and Finally Passed text · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. HB 495 (2025) Truly Agreed bill summary · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. HB 495 (2025) Missouri House bill status/actions · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. HB 2369 (2026) as introduced - licensing of security guards and companies (not enacted) · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. HB 2369 (2026) introduced bill summary · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. HB 2369 (2026) Missouri House bill status/actions · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. HB 1312 (2025) Missouri House bill status/actions · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. RSMo 84.720 Police commissioners (Kansas City) - power to regulate security personnel · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. RSMo 84.020 St. Louis board of police commissioners - powers and duties (A.L. 2025 H.B. 495) · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. RSMo 84.340 Board of police - power to regulate private detectives (St. Louis) · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. RSMo 84.341 (Repealed L. 2025 H.B. 495) · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. RSMo 84.350 Kansas City board of police commissioners - organization · retrieved 2026-11-09
29. RSMo 590.750 DPS sole authority to license corporate security advisors · retrieved 2026-11-09
30. RSMo 324.1100 Private investigators - definitions (eff. 8-28-2026) · retrieved 2026-11-09
31. RSMo 324.1106 Persons not engaging in private investigation business · retrieved 2026-11-09
32. 17 CSR 10-2 Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security · retrieved 2026-11-09
33. 17 CSR 20-2 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Private Security Officers · retrieved 2026-11-09
34. 17 CSR 20-3 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Couriers · retrieved 2026-11-09
35. 17 CSR 20-4 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Rules for Private Watchmen · retrieved 2026-11-09
36. 17 CSR 20-5 St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners - Corporate Security Advisor (incl. Contract Security Agency) · retrieved 2026-11-09
37. Missouri Register Vol. 51 No. 21 (Nov. 2, 2026) - Rule Changes Since Update · retrieved 2026-11-09
38. SLMPD - Private Security Section page · retrieved 2026-11-09
39. SLMPD - Guidelines for Registering a Security Agency (PDF) · retrieved 2026-11-09
40. St. Louis County Police - Records and Permits (Central Police Records Unit) · retrieved 2026-11-09
41. HB 495 (2025) Truly Agreed bill summary · retrieved 2026-11-09
42. SS#2 SCS HCS#2 HB 495 (2025) Truly Agreed and Finally Passed text · retrieved 2026-11-09
43. HB 495 (2025) bill actions · retrieved 2026-11-09
44. HB 2369 (2026) status, actions, summary - not enacted · retrieved 2026-11-09
45. HB 1312 (2025) status and actions - not enacted · 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.