WISCONSIN SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Private Detective/Security Agency license (DSPS credential name; Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 30-35 call it a "private detective agency license"). One combined license covers both investigation agencies and contract security/guard companies; there is no separate security-only agency license. [1]

Who needs it. Any person (individual, partnership, LLC or corporation) that advertises, solicits or engages in the business of a private detective agency, acts as a supplier of private security personnel, or receives fees for those services (SPS 31.01(1)(a)). An individual private detective or private security permit holder employed by a licensed agency does not need an agency license; a detective or guard who wants to work for himself must also get the agency license. [6]

Local licensing. Licensing of guard companies is state-level through DSPS (Wis. Stat. s. 440.26; SPS 30-35). SPS 34.01(1)(g) requires armed personnel to comply with local ordinances when carrying a firearm.

Your guards. Uniformed guards employed by the agency must each hold a DSPS Private Security Person permit ($27; no exam; employer completes Form 3038 Agency Authorization; 30-day non-renewable temporary permit available, unarmed only). Plain-clothes security/personal protection counts as private detective work and needs a PD license. Armed personnel need an agency-obtained firearms permit. Agency files a New Employment amendment (Form 2323) within 5 days, and a Termination amendment (Form 3076) within 5 days for security persons / 10 days for detectives. Employee page: https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/private-security-person/ [6]

Role

No separate qualifying agent / qualifying manager role. The individual applicant, all partners/LLC members, or all corporate officers are listed; a partnership/LLC application is executed by all members; a corporate application by the Secretary and the President or Vice President, plus the Wisconsin registered agent for a foreign corporation. Those who execute the application must meet the SPS 31.02(1)(b) qualifications. [6]

Experience

None. SPS 31.02(1) lists no experience, education or training qualification for the agency license (contrast SPS 31.02(2)(c) exam for private detectives); DSPS's agency reapplication page states there are no other pre-application requirements such as education. [3]

Age & background

Each person who executes the application must: (1) subject to the Fair Employment Act (ss. 111.321, 111.322, 111.335) not have an arrest or conviction record involving a misdemeanor or violation as defined in s. 440.26(4m); (1m) not have been convicted of a felony anywhere unless pardoned; (2) not use drugs/alcohol to a dangerous or impairing extent; (3) not have a physical, emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect ability to direct/perform the activities. Fingerprint-based state and FBI background check. No minimum age for agency owners/officers found in SPS 30-35 or DSPS pages (SPS 35.01(16) only bars an agency from employing anyone under 18 as a detective or security person); any statutory age rule in s. 440.26 is unverified. [6]

• Fingerprints (2 sets; now electronic after Form 2687 upload) for each person who executes the application; a peace officer may instead submit a letter from the employing law enforcement agency written within one month of application. [6]
• Peace-officer fingerprint exemption. [6]
• One recent head-and-shoulders photograph. [6]
• Complete business location address; a P.O. box alone is inadequate. [6]
• Entity applicants: Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). [2]
• Foreign corporations: Wisconsin registered agent who is an individual, signs, and is fingerprinted. [2]
• Disclosure of drug/alcohol use within the preceding 5 years for each signer. [6]
• Written trade-name notice to DSPS before doing business under any trade name. [6]
• Written client contract (date, parties, services, fees, termination) before providing services, except emergencies and services to attorneys, other licensed agencies, or insurers. [6]
• Agency must furnish security personnel visible ID/name tags identifying the person and the agency (or contracting entity); permitted security persons must wear a uniform on duty. [6]
• Armed services: the AGENCY applies for a DSPS firearms permit for each owner/employee it assigns to carry a firearm (SPS 34.015); conditions include substantial need, written client agreement for armed personnel, 36-hour initial training/certificate of proficiency from a DSPS-approved certifier (6-hour annual refresher), agency CGL policy with firearms coverage, filed written firearms policy, and a current copy of ss. 939.48 and 939.49 kept accessible. [6]
• Agency firearms policy filed before any permit and within 30 days after substantial changes. [6]
• Change of ownership requires the new owner to obtain an original agency license before doing business; changes of corporate officers/LLC members/partners must be reported before they take office (new officers must meet SPS 31.02(1)(b)); former owner surrenders license within 30 days. [6]
• Name or address change must be reported within 30 days; agency terminating business must surrender the license within 30 days. [6]

Insurance

If a CGL policy is used instead of a bond it must cover bodily injury liability, property damage and personal injury, cover all licensed detectives and security personnel employed by the agency, and be evidenced by a certificate naming the licensee as insured and DSPS as certificate holder. If ANY officer or employee will carry a firearm, a liability policy (a bond will not do) with firearms coverage is mandatory. Minimum limits are in s. 440.26(4) - UNVERIFIED. [6]

Surety bond

The agency must obtain and maintain, without lapse, EITHER a surety bond (submitted with DSPS Form 1483) OR a comprehensive general liability policy (Form 1482 + certificate of insurance), as required by Wis. Stat. s. 440.26(4). Do not confuse with the $2,000 surety bond an individual private detective files under SPS 31.035(1)(d) when the employing agency is bonded. [6]

• Private Detective/Security Agency (reg code 62, Organization): initial fee $8; renewal fee $8; renew by 08/31 of odd-numbered years (DSPS fee page. [4]
• Late renewal fee: $25 for all business & health credentials renewed after expiration. [4]
• Applicant also pays DSPS's costs of obtaining eligibility information (background/fingerprint checks); amount not stated. [6]
• Employee credentials: Private Security Person permit (code 108) $27 initial / $27 renewal, renew by 08/31 even years. [4]
• Private Detective individual license (code 63) $8 / $8, renew by 08/31 even years. [4]
• Firearms Permit (code 503): no DSPS fee listed (N/A); valid 1 year after last day of firearms training. Agency pays background/NICS costs per SPS 34.015(6). [4]

1. Register an ORGANIZATION account on LicensE (license.wi.gov); the agency credential cannot be applied for from an individual account. [1]
2. Optional: applicants with convictions may first request a predetermination in LicensE. [1]
3. In LicensE: Apply for a License > Category: Business > License Type: Private Detective/Security Agency > Application Method: New Licensure. [2]
4. Upload Form 3039 (Agency Individuals and Agency Declarations), signed on both portions by each required signer, with officer titles Secretary and President or Vice President. [2]
5. For each signer: Form 2687 (FBI release), recent head-and-shoulders photo, then electronic fingerprints; Form 225X if convictions/pending charges. [2]
6. Proof of financial responsibility: Form 1482 + Certificate of Liability Insurance (required if firearms will be used) OR Form 1483 + bond. [2]
7. Entity documents as applicable: DFI Certificate of Authority; registered agent (foreign corps); written firearms policy if armed. [2]
8. Pay fees in LicensE (card or ACH; ACH adds 3-5 business days) and submit; DSPS reviews in about 10 days. [2]

Renewal

Biennial: the agency license renews by August 31 of each odd-numbered year (next 2027-08-31) regardless of issue date; renewal opens about 4 weeks before expiration in LicensE; must provide current Certificate of Liability Insurance + Form 1482, or bond + Form 1483; no continuing education. Lapsed more than 5 years (or revoked/surrendered): reapply via 'Renewal After 5 Years' (full application). $25 late fee. [4]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Absolute bar: unpardoned felony conviction (anywhere) of any person who executes the application (SPS 31.02(1)(b)1m; DSPS lists 'Any felony conviction' for private detective and private security credentials). Misdemeanor/violation records are evaluated under the Fair Employment Act (ss. 111.321, 111.322, 111.335 - substantially related test). Denial also for fraud/misrepresentation, impairing physical/emotional/mental condition, alcohol or controlled-substance dependence (DSPS may still issue if the person submits to evaluation, treatment and monitoring), or conduct that is grounds for discipline under SPS 35.01. Optional predetermination of conviction records is available. [6]

• Wis. Stat. s. 440.26 — Private detectives, investigators and security personnel [6]
• Wis. Stat. s. 440.05(1) [6]
• Wis. Stat. s. 440.08 — Credential renewal dates/fees [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 30 [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 31 [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 32 [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 33 [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 34 [6]
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 35 [6]

1. DSPS - Private Detective/Security Agency (profession main page) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. DSPS - Private Detective/Security Agency - New Licensure · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. DSPS - Private Detective/Security Agency - Renewal After 5 Years · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. DSPS - Credential Fees and Renewal Dates · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. DSPS - Credential Fees and Renewal Dates · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 30-35 (all sections) - Cornell LII mirror of official code · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 30-35 - Cornell LII mirror · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. DSPS - Private Detective (profession main page) · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. DSPS - Private Detective - Licensure by Examination · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. DSPS - Private Security Person (profession main page) · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. DSPS - Private Security Person - New Licensure · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. DSPS - Firearms Permit (profession main page) · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. DSPS - Offenses Resulting in Refusal, Bar, or Termination of Credential · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. DSPS - Pending Rules · 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.