Frequently asked questions security guards

Anyone interested in becoming a security guard who does not currently hold a license needs to obtain a new security guard license before starting their employment.

Excise and Licenses strives to complete the application process within seven days. If the application is found to be incomplete or if a police review is required, more time could be needed. 

Apply for your new security guard license 30 days before the current license expires to ensure there is enough time for it to be processed.

Bars and restaurants that hold in-house security status will not be eligible to employ security guards. These entities must apply for a private security employer license before employing security guards.

Only if they are an eligible training provider. 

Refer to the new security guard online application guide(PDF, 3MB) for a step-by-step walk-through of how to fill out the application. For other application types, refer to the online application user guides below.

If you are experiencing what could be an issue with our website, please email licenses@denvergov.org with details of the issue.

Call 311 with additional questions, or email licenses@denvergov.org.

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An affidavit of criminal and employment history is used to ensure security guard applicants are eligible for licensing and are of good moral character. All questions should be answered truthfully.

All questions must be answered and five years of employment (or education) history must be provided. Incomplete forms will be rejected.

Affidavit of criminal and employment history form(PDF, 869KB) or declaracion de antecedentes penales e historial de empleo(PDF, 115KB)

A certificate of physical and mental fitness is used to ensure applicants are physically and mentally ready to perform the duties of a security guard. 

This form must be completed by a physician, physician's assistant or a registered nurse licensed to practice in Colorado.

All fields must be filled out. Incomplete forms will be rejected.

The form must be completed within 60 days of the filing of the prospective guard's application.

Certificate of physical and mental fitness form(PDF, 349KB).

A certificate of security guard training completion proves a security guard has completed mandatory training on the following topics:

• Duties of a security guard
• Communication protocols and procedures
• Interaction with law enforcement
• Use of force

Applicants for a new security guard license must complete a 16-hour course, and applicants for a security guard renewal license are required to complete an eight-hour refresher course on the same topics.

Only eligible training providers can provide certificates of security guard training completion. When an individual/organization becomes an eligible training provider, they are given instructions on how to create the certificates.

Individuals who want to obtain an endorsement allowing them to be accompanied by an explosive detection canine need to upload this document to prove:

• The security guard is the canine's primary handler
• The canine has been certified by a national accredited/recognized training association to detect explosives

The certificate must be a valid certificate when the application is submitted. It cannot be expired. 

For questions about this certificate, email DPDExciseandLicenses@denvergov.org. 

All applicants for a new security guard license must provide an FBI background check to ensure the applicant is eligible for licensing and of good moral character.

FBI background checks must be run within 60 days of the application.

A firearm training certification demonstrates that guards wanting to obtain a firearm endorsement(PDF, 338KB) have been properly trained in handling firearms and have an acceptable range proficiency score of at least 80%.

Applicants for a new firearm endorsement must complete at least five hours of classroom instruction and three hours of live-fire practice, including a weapons qualification course. Training must be provided by a certified POST or NRA instructor. There is no time frame during which this training must have been completed.

Applicants wanting to renew or obtain a new firearm endorsement must also have obtained a qualifying range proficiency of at least 80% within the last six months.

All firearm endorsement requests will be treated as "new" requests until they are approved at which point they are eligible to be renewed annually. No exceptions will be made for merchant guards holding armed status.

Proof of training and range qualification is provided by having the POST or NRA instructor who oversaw training complete a firearm training certification(PDF, 941KB) form.

Because Excise and Licenses has moved its security guard license applications online, applicants must upload a headshot photo to be used to create a security guard badge. The rule of thumb is if a photo would pass as a passport photo, it will suffice for badging purposes. Specifically, it must:

• Be recent, clear and in color, and demonstrate a true likeness of you
• Be taken with a solid background that you will not blend into
• Your head must face the camera directly and your entire head must be in the photo (no hats)
• Nothing can cover your eyes, including glasses or hair

Individuals who want to get an endorsement allowing them to be accompanied by an explosive detection canine need to upload this document to:

• Prove there is a legitimate need for being accompanied by an explosive detection canine
• Identify the canine that will be accompanying the guard

Letters of explosive detection canine endorsement requests must be completed by a guard's employer and signed by the employer and the guard. This must be done within 60 days of the application.

These forms can be completed by private security employers holding a valid license.

Letter of explosive detection canine endorsement request template(PDF, 535KB).

Individuals who want to get an endorsement allowing them to carry a firearm while working will need to upload this document to:

• Prove there is a legitimate need for carrying a firearm.
• Prove the employer requesting this endorsement has properly vetted the guard's physical, mental, and emotional fitness to carrying a firearm.

Letters of firearm endorsement requests must be completed by a guard's employer and signed by the employer and the guard. This must be done within 60 days of the application.

These forms can be completed by private security employers holding a valid license.

Letter of firearm endorsement request template(PDF, 338KB).

Individuals who want to get a security guard license will need to upload this document to:

• Prove they will be employed by a licensed private security employer upon licensing.
• Ensure the employer accepts responsibility and liability for the security guard's actions while they are providing security services on behalf of the employer.

Letters of hire must be completed by a guard's employer and signed by the employer and the guard. This must be done within 60 days of the application.

These forms can be completed by private security employers holding a valid license.

Letter of Hire template(PDF, 522KB).

Individuals who want to get an endorsement allowing them to work in plainclothes (outside of a uniform) need to upload this document to:

• Prove there is a legitimate need for working in plainclothes
• Identify the dates, times, and/or events when the security guard will be working in plainclothes.

Letters of plainclothes endorsement requests must be completed by a guard's employer and signed by the employer and the guard. This must be done within 60 days of the application.

These forms can be completed by private security employers holding a valid license.

Letter of plainclothes endorsement request template(PDF, 705KB)

This is generally a valid driver's license. For other forms of valid ID, see the list of acceptable forms of ID.

To check on the status of an application through the online portal, download the application status check-in guide(PDF, 457KB).

If you receive a notice of application deficiency email, download the document correction guide(PDF, 1005KB) for step-by-step instructions on how to proceed.

If you are struggling with the online application, download the new security guard license application guide(PDF, 3MB).