Minnesota's #1 Online Security Guard Training

Get Your Minnesota Security Training Online

Minnesota does not issue a statewide guard card. Security work here runs through licensed protective-agent businesses, so what applies to you depends on the job and on the company that hires you.

The training requirement is the constant: 12 hours of certified training, either before you are assigned or inside your first 21 days on the job. You can finish it below, online and at your own pace, and keep the certificate for your employer’s records.

Scroll down to pick your course — and to see exactly what to do after your training is complete.

State-approved training

Courses Available in Minnesota's #1 Online Security Guard Training

Explore our electives

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour. Each elective is a short, state-approved course in a skill employers pay more.

Every elective is $35.00

How it works

Get Started in 4 steps

  1. Purchase the course

    Pick your state course, or a card renewal if your card is running out. (Electives are optional: de-escalation, first aid, report writing, and they qualify you for better-paid posts.)

  2. Complete the training

    Study online at your own pace, on any device. Start the minute checkout is done and pick up wherever you left off.

  3. Get your certificate

    Finish the course and download your certificate of completion, the proof your state board or your employer asks to see.

  4. Get licensed and hired

    In most states you then apply to the state agency for your guard card: certificate, fingerprints, background check and the state fee. Then start applying for posts.

Licensing is set state by state. A few states, Alabama and Colorado among them, issue no state guard licence at all, and some require the application to be filed through the security company that hires you. Each course page lists what your state asks for.

After your training

Minnesota Security Guard Requirements: What to Do After Completing Your Training

Minnesota's security licensing system is different from states that issue a traditional statewide "guard card." Requirements can depend on the type of security work and the protective-agent business employing you.

  1. Step 1: Complete Your Required Training

    Make sure you have completed the training required for your position and employer.

    Minnesota law provides training requirements for applicable security personnel, including pre-assignment or on-the-job training requirements.

    Under the current statutory framework, applicable employees must receive 12 hours of certified training either before assignment or within the first 21 days of employment.

  2. Step 2: Work With Your Employer

    Because Minnesota's requirements are closely connected to licensed protective-agent businesses and the type of security services being provided, your employer should confirm the requirements that apply to your specific position.

  3. Step 3: Complete Any Required Background or Employee Documentation

    Follow your employer's instructions for any required background check, identification, registration, or employee documentation.

  4. Step 4: Keep Your Training Records

    Keep copies of your completed training documentation. Your employer may need to maintain records showing that you completed the required training.

  5. Step 5: Stay Current With Minnesota Requirements

    Minnesota security requirements can change through legislation and administrative rules. Check the current Minnesota requirements before beginning employment or relying on information from an older security training guide.

Important: Security licensing requirements can change. The information on this page is provided as a general guide. Always verify current requirements, applications, fees, and deadlines with the official licensing authority for your state before submitting an application or beginning work.

From our graduates

Hear From Security Guards Who Started Here

Thousands of working guards took their first course with us. Here are a few of them, in their own words.

  • Kevin Turner

  • Dylan Grant

  • Deshawn Carter

  • Tyrone Brooks

  • Marcus Bell

  • Derrick Mason

The state standard

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course is built to what the job actually asks for, from the state-mandated basics to the advanced electives, and kept current as the rules change.

Before you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my security guard certification cover all cities and towns in Minnesota?
Yes, your security guard certification in Minnesota is valid statewide, covering allcities and towns including Minneapolis, St. Paul and more! Once you are licensed through the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services, you can work as a security guard anywhere in the state, provided you maintain your certification and meetany local requirements for continuing education or renewal

What qualifications do you need to become a security officer in Minnesota?
To become a security officer in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years old, passa criminal background check, and apply for a license through the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. You are requiredto complete any mandated security training as determined by your employer orlocal regulations. If you plan to carry a firearm, additional firearms trainingand certification are required. You must also be employed by a licensed securitycompany.

What disqualifies you from being a security guard in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, disqualifications for becoming a security guard include having felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions related to violence, theft, or dishonesty, or failing a criminal background check. A history of substance abuse or mental health issues that could impair judgment can also disqualify you. Additionally, falsifying information on your application or failing to meet the training requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services can lead to disqualification.

How much does it cost to take a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the cost of a Level 2 training course to become an unarmed securityofficer typically ranges from $100 to $250, depending on the training provider. Security Guard School offers this course for $99.99.This fee covers basic security training, which includes legal authority, emergency response, and patrol techniques. Additional costs may include background checks, fingerprinting, and the application fee for a security guard license, which can add another $75 to $100, bringing the total cost to around $175 to $350.

What are the levels of security guards in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, security guards are generally classified into unarmed and armed categories. Unarmed security guards perform basic security duties without carrying a weapon, requiring basic training and certification through the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Armed security guards require additional firearms trainingand certification, allowing them to carry a firearm while on duty. Both levels must pass background checks and meet state licensing requirements, but armed guards have stricter regulations due to the responsibility of carrying a weapon.

Are Level 2 non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in Minnesota?
No, Level 2 non-commissioned security guards in Minnesota are not allowed to carry a firearm. Only security guards who have completed additional firearmstraining and obtained the proper certification and permits are authorized to carry a firearm while on duty as armed security guards.

How do I get my security guard license in Minnesota?
To get your security guard license in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 yearsold, pass a criminal background check, and complete any required securitytraining. After meeting these requirements, you apply for a license through the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. If you plan to work as an armed guard, you must complete additional firearms training and obtain the necessary certification. You also need to be employed by a licensed security company to maintain your license

What exactly is a protective agent license?
It is the license the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services issues to a company that provides guard, patrol, and alarm-response services. Individual officers work as employed protective agents under that company's license.

What is the difference between a protective agent and a private detective?
A protective agent guards people and property, while a private detective investigates. They are separate Board license categories, so guard training does not qualify you for investigative work.

How long does the online course take to finish?
It is fully self-paced. Most people finish the core state-aligned course in a single sitting or a few short sessions, and the certificate is available the moment you complete it.

Does online training count the same as in-person for an employer?
Yes. Your completion certificate documents the pre-assignment knowledge agencies expect, and it works the same whether you studied online or in a classroom. Online just lets you finish on your own schedule.

Can I add more electives after I finish the course?
Yes. You can return anytime to add electives from the 60-plus course library, so you can build skills like Fire Safety or Executive Protection as your career grows.

Which electives raise pay the most?
Guards who add electives earn about 23% more per hour on average. De-escalation and Power to Arrest are among the ones that open higher-paying posts in retail, healthcare, and event security.

From the field

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