SOUTH CAROLINA SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Contract Security Business License (issued by SLED). SLED's company application (PD/PS-11) labels it 'Contract Security Agency (PRV)'. Distinct from the Proprietary Security Business License (§ 40-18-60, in-house employers) and the Private Investigation License (§ 40-18-70). [1]

Who needs it. Any person engaged in the contract security business (individual/self-employed, or as an officer or principal of a corporation) or who furnishes security officers for a fee. 'Contract security business' = providing private patrol, watchman, guard, security, or bodyguard service for a fee (§ 40-18-20). Exemptions: full-time state/county/municipal law enforcement officers working individually as independent-contractor patrolman/guard/watchman and not employed by another officer (§ 40-18-50(H)); persons employed solely as nonuniformed, unarmed fire watchman/gatekeeper/security officer without arrest authority whose employer is not a PI or security business (§ 40-18-50(I)); and chapter-wide exceptions in § 40-18-140 (government officers/employees on official duty — 'excluding school districts' since 2025 Act 36 — consumer reporting agencies, attorneys, insurance licensees). [1]

Local licensing. The security business license itself is exclusively state-level (SLED, Title 40 Ch. 18); no county/city security-specific license layer was found in the primary sources reviewed. Counties and municipalities may separately levy a general business license TAX under the Business License Tax Standardization Act, S.C. Code § 6-1-400 et seq. (sc-code-6-1-400: 'a county or municipality that levies a business license tax must comply with the provisions of this article') — a general revenue license, not a security qualification license. R. 73-404 requires the SLED application to bear the same individual and business names as any other license or permit issued 'by any authority'.

Your guards. Every person performing security officer duties must hold a SLED security officer registration certificate (§ 40-18-80): employed by a licensed security business, 18+ (21 if armed per SLED ineligibility list), SLED-approved drug test, SafeguardSC training by the company's certified training officer. The licensee must verify registration on hire; an officer may work up to 30 days after SLED receives the application, without arrest authority or firearm; licensee notifies SLED within 10 days of hire/termination. Since Oct. 1, 2016 officers register separately with each employing company (Keel memo). Registration fees: $65 unarmed / $110 armed annually (R. 73-408). Officer application: https://www.sled.sc.gov/sites/sled/files/forms/security/Application%20for%20Security_Private%20Investigative%20Registration.pdf [1]

Role

No separate 'qualifying agent' title: the licensee/applicant must be a principal of the business. For an association or corporation the CEO is the applicant or designates in writing the corporate officer or principal who is the applicant; for a partnership each partner applies; if not incorporated, the applicant must have a financial interest in the company. All principals (persons exercising day-to-day operational direction and control) must be disclosed and meet the character/background standards except experience (R. 73-400(3), 73-402, 73-403). [2]

Experience

Statute (§ 40-18-50(D)(10)): at least two years of experience as a supervisor or administrator in industrial security with a licensed security business, a security program approved by SLED, or as a sworn member of a federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. Regulation R. 73-400(7)(A) words it differently: a minimum of two years of full-time employment as a sworn police officer of a public law enforcement agency or as a manager of a licensed private security entity or other SLED-approved security program. Statute controls; SLED's R-33 checklist uses the statutory wording. [1]

Age & background

At least 21; high school diploma or equivalent; U.S. citizen; no felony or crime of moral turpitude conviction; good moral character; no other-than-honorable military discharge; no unlawful drug use; no disqualifying alcohol use, incapacity adjudication, or physical/mental impairment (§ 40-18-50(D)(1)-(8)). Fingerprints go to the FBI for a national criminal records check (§ 40-18-30(D)). [1]

• Applicant must satisfy SLED that the business has or will have a competent certified training officer and an adequate SLED-approved training program, or will obtain training from another approved source (§ 40-18-50(D)(9)). [1]
• Each licensed private security business must employ or retain a SLED-certified private security training officer, who must complete a SLED-specified course and periodic training (R. 73-419). [2]
• Fingerprints are sent to the FBI for a national criminal records check. [1]
• If the company is not incorporated the applicant must have a financial interest in it; an incorporated company's corporate head may designate a corporate official in writing. [10]
• Principals must meet the statutory character/background standards (except experience); every principal must be disclosed on each new and renewal application. [2]
• Persons holding law-enforcement commissions/appointments and administrative employees of public law enforcement agencies may not hold private security licenses or registrations (SCDC limited-authority officers exempt for officer employment) (R. 73-409). SLED's ineligibility list also names coroners, jailers/detention officers, probation/parole officers, reserve officers, state constables and federal officers as dual-office/conflict positions. [2]
• Business and trade names must be SLED-approved; may not imply law enforcement/government affiliation; 'police', 'enforcement', 'bureau', 'public safety' prohibited; paid advertising must include the SLED license number (R. 73-406). [2]
• Licensee must report a custodial arrest to SLED within 72 hours and make business records available for SLED inspection (§ 40-18-50(F)-(G)). [1]
• If the licensee (the principal) leaves, SLED must be notified immediately; the entity is 'conditionally licensed' and must file an application for a new principal within five calendar days; it may operate conditionally for up to 20 days after SLED receives that application (R. 73-405). [2]

Surety bond

$10,000 surety bond posted with SLED, in a form approved by the Attorney General, in favor of the State, issued by a surety insurer licensed in SC; surety may cancel on 30 days' notice (§ 40-18-50(B)). On cancellation the business is immediately 'conditionally licensed' and must file a new certificate of bond within 10 days or the license becomes invalid (R. 73-410). SLED's renewal checklist (R-34) requires the bond with each renewal. [1]

Branch offices

The license authorizes as many branch offices as the licensee considers feasible; no separate branch license or fee in statute or regulation; a duplicate license must be posted at each branch and SLED notified immediately of each branch opened or closed (§ 40-18-50(C),(E)). [1]

• Contract security business license: $350.00 annually, non-refundable (R. 73-408(5)(A), eff. June 23, 2006). SLED's R-33/R-34 checklists and PD/PS-11 application agree ($350.00; 'Contract Security Agency (PRV)'); no additional fee for the licensee's own unarmed security registration. [2]
• SLED checklist: $350.00 by cashier's check, money order, or company check payable to SLED; incorrect amount returned. [10]
• Security Weapons Permit / Armed Upgrade (UGA) for the licensee: $45.00 with Proof of Training for Firearms form. [10]
• Replacement/duplicate company license: $20.00 (PD/PS-11 application fee table). [12]
• Security officer registration (employees): armed $110.00 annually; unarmed $65.00 annually; replacement lost/destroyed card $20.00 (R. 73-408(5)(B)). [2]
• Temporary special-event employees (unregistered, unarmed, no arrest authority, max 10 days per calendar year): $5 per temporary employee, with notice to SLED at least 5 days before the event (§ 40-18-90). [1]
• Fee payment rule: fees must accompany the application by valid business check, cashier check or money order; a dishonored check prevents issuance or causes immediate suspension; fees are non-refundable (R. 73-408(4)-(5)). [2]

1. Complete, sign and notarize the Application for Company Licensing - New and Renewal (PD/PS-11), marking 'Contract Security Agency (PRV)'; attach DD-214 if military service is indicated. [10]
2. Pay the $350.00 non-refundable annual fee (plus $45.00 if a Security Weapons Permit is needed). [10]
3. Submit two complete sets of fingerprint cards (SLED checklist; statute § 40-18-50(A)(3) requires one complete set — SLED's checklist is the operative practice). [10]
4. Submit a recent digital photograph (.jpg, within 6 months) per SLED credentialing instructions (email RegLicense@sled.sc.gov or SFTP). Statute requires a color full-face photo taken within six months. [21]
5. Post the $10,000 statutory surety bond on SLED's approved form. [10]
6. Submit a notarized Judgment Statement Affidavit (or certified Clerk of Court statement). [10]
7. Submit notarized Form PD/PS-9 (incorporation/ownership; certified Articles of Incorporation if incorporated) and the Disclosure of Principal(s) form. [10]
8. Document the two years of qualifying experience and submit SafeGuardSC Basic, Primary Plus, and/or Firearms Proof of Training forms. [10]
9. SLED conducts a background investigation once all forms are received. [10]
10. On issuance, post the license conspicuously at the place of business and a copy at each branch office. [1]

Renewal

License valid one year from date of issue (§ 40-18-50(C); R. 73-408(1)). Renewal application must be received by SLED at least 30 but not more than 60 days before expiration; untimely filing renders the license invalid (R. 73-408(2)-(3)). Renewal package (R-34): $350 fee, notarized application, two fingerprint card sets (required every five years), digital photo, $10,000 bond, PD/PS-9, Disclosure of Principals, SafeGuardSC proof-of-training forms. [2]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Statutory bars: felony or crime of moral turpitude conviction and the other § 40-18-50(D) criteria. Grounds to deny/suspend/revoke/refuse renewal (§ 40-18-130(A)) include false statements, violations of the chapter or regulations, post-licensure convictions or disqualifying pending charges, impersonating law enforcement, failing to cooperate with prosecutions. SLED policy: deny applications with 'significant criminal records' (honesty/integrity, violence, moral turpitude, crimes of violence, multiple arrests) or falsified/missing information. Civil penalty in lieu of suspension/revocation: $25-$1,000 per offense for company licensees (§ 40-18-130(B)). Appeal to the Administrative Law Court within 30 days (§ 40-18-130(C)). After suspension/revocation, no partner or person with a financial interest may be licensed for the business for one year (§ 40-18-130(F)). Licenses are non-transferable; transfer of 25% or more of corporate stock is a change of ownership requiring surrender (§ 40-18-40). No statutory waiver mechanism for disqualifying convictions was found. [1]

• 2025-05-122025 Act No. 36 (S.269): adds § 59-19-275 and § 40-18-60(A)(3) letting public school districts (and certain charter schools/authorizers) obtain a PROPRIETARY security business license, superintendent as applicant, SLED to develop school security standards; adds § 40-18-80(A)(3) directing SLED to implement initial and renewal training requirements for security officer registrations (possible extra school-setting training; school security officers 21+, district security division, joint-training agreement with local law enforcement, recertification every two years); amends § 40-18-140(1) so the government-employee exemption excludes school districts. The contract security business license provisions (§ 40-18-50) are unchanged, but the new officer-training mandate applies to all officer registrations, including those of contract companies. 2025 S.C. Act No. 36 (S.269), §§ 1-5; S.C. Code §§ 40-18-60(A)(3), 40-18-80(A)(3), 40-18-140(1), 59-19-275 [3]
• 2025-05-12Effective date of Act 36: upon the Governor's approval (approved May 12, 2025). 2025 S.C. Act No. 36, § 5 [3]
• n/aNo 2026 amendments to Title 40, Chapter 18 were found: the online Code is current through the 2026 Session and the chapter's latest history entries are 2025 Act No. 36. R. 73-400 to 73-422 histories all read 'eff June 23, 2006'; the Code of Regulations is current through State Register Vol. 50, Issue 3 (Mar. 27, 2026). No enacted change taking effect later in 2027 was found. S.C. Code online currency statement [4]
• 2026 (duration of state of emergency)Temporary, not permanent law: Executive Order 2026-02 (winter-weather emergency) suspended licensing/registration requirements for private security personnel or companies contracting with SC security companies for the duration of the emergency, with SLED to run an emergency registration process. Executive Order No. 2026-02, § 1(C), S.C. State Register Vol. 50, Issue 2 [6]

• S.C. Code Ann. Title 40, Chapter 18 (§§ 40-18-20 to 40-18-150) — Private Security and Investigation Agencies [1]
• S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-50 — Contract security business license; application; bond; renewal; qualifications of licensees; display of license; arrest of licensee; exemptions [1]
• S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-40 — Licenses to operate security or private investigation business; transferability; surrender on termination of business or change of ownership [1]
• S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-130 — Denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew license or registration; grounds; appeals; civil penalties [1]
• 2025 S.C. Act No. 36 (S.269), eff. May 12, 2025 — Amends §§ 40-18-60(A), 40-18-80(A), 40-18-140(1); adds § 59-19-275 (school-district proprietary security) [3]
• S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 73-400 to 73-422 (Chapter 73, Article 9), all eff. June 23, 2006 — Private Security and Private Investigation Businesses [2]

1. S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 18 - Private Security and Investigation Agencies · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. S.C. Code Regs. Chapter 73, Article 9 (R. 73-400 to 73-422) - Private Security and Private Investigation Businesses · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. 2025 S.C. Act No. 36 (S.269) - Private security services in public schools · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. S.C. Code of Laws online currency statement · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. S.C. Code of Regulations online currency statement · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. S.C. State Register Vol. 50 No. 2 - Executive Order 2026-02 (excerpt) · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. S.C. Code §§ 6-1-400 to 6-1-420 - Business License Tax Standardization · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. SLED - Security Companies page (forms index) · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. SLED - Private Investigations & Security License/Registrations page and FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. SLED - New Contract Security Business License requirements (R-33, rev. 3/30/2018) · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. SLED - Renewal Contract Security Business License requirements (R-34, rev. 3/30/2018) · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. SLED - Application for Company Licensing - New and Renewal (PD/PS-11) · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. SLED - Application for Security/Private Investigative Registration · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. SLED - Incorporation Form PD/PS-9 · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. SLED - Disclosure of Principals form · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. SLED - Judgment Statement Affidavit · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. SLED - Contract Security Statutory Bond Form · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. SLED - Example of Statutory Bond · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. SLED - Private Security Business/Officer Ineligibility (rev. 7/20/17) · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. SLED - Applications for Security Business Licenses and Security Officer Registrations (significant criminal record policy) · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. SLED - Credentialing System memo (digital photographs, eff. April 6, 2015) · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. SLED Chief Keel Memorandum - Procedural Changes to Private Security Licensing, Training, and Regulation (6/13/2016) · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. SLED Private Security Update Memorandum (2017, OCR of scanned image) · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. SLED - Security Officer Firearms Annual Requalification Standard Update (4/6/2023) · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. SLED SafeguardSC Primary Basic Training curriculum · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. SLED SafeguardSC Primary Plus Training curriculum · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. SLED - Request for Temporaries (PD/PS-6) · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. SLED - Emergency Registration of Foreign-State Private Security Guards · 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.