Frequently asked questions private security employer

In-house security companies must apply for a private security employer license. They are not allowed to employ security guards.

Companies interested in becoming private security employers must get a new private security employer license before starting their hiring of security guards.

All applications have moved online. Companies can visit Excise and Licenses if they want to have a licensing technician walk them through the application.

Bars and restaurants that hold in-house security status cannot employ security guards. They must apply for a private security employer license before employing security guards.

Only if the private security employer is an eligible training provider.

Go to the main security guard frequently asked questions page for more information.

You can also call 311.

Refer to these online application guides for a step-by-step walk-through of how to fill out the online application.

New Security Guard Online Application Guide(PDF, 3MB)

Renewal Security Guard Online Application Guide(PDF, 754KB)

New Private Security Guard Online Application Guide(PDF, 2MB)

Renewal Private Security Guard Online Application Guide(PDF, 1MB)

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

An affidavit of criminal and employment history is used to ensure general manager applicants 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)

If a company is seeking a vehicle endorsement, it must maintain liability insurance coverage for the term of the license. There must be at least a minimum combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence of $500,000.

The liability insurance must cover any vehicles that are authorized for guards to use while providing security services. This includes the guards' personal cars.

Private security employers must maintain these minimum insurance requirements for the term of their license:

• Employer's liability insurance: Minimum $100,000
• General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
• Workers' compensation insurance: Minimum $100,000

All security guards must wear an approved uniform while providing security services. There is an exception if they are working within the parameters of an approved plainclothes endorsement.

Uniform designs are submitted to Denver Excise and Licenses for approval through a declaration of uniform design(PDF, 1015KB) form. This form is submitted upon application for a new license or a renewal. The company will provide photographs or renderings of proposed uniform design(s). They are then reviewed to determine compliance.

• You can use several designs. Each design must be submitted for review and approval.
• A new uniform design must be submitted for any non-identical set of verbiage, font, image, badge, and/or patch.
• Once approved, it can be used on any type of clothing (i.e. shirts, coats, vests, etc.).

If the company wants to have several uniform designs approved, they should submit a distinct declaration of uniform design(PDF, 1015KB) form for each one.

Employer's liability insurance protects employers from financial loss if a worker has a job-related injury or illness not covered by workers' compensation.

All private security employers must maintain minimum insurance requirements for the term of their license:

• Employer's liability insurance: Minimum $100,000
• General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
• Workers' compensation insurance: Minimum $100,000

All general managers for a private security employer must provide a copy of their active security guard license or an affidavit of criminal and employment history(PDF, 869KB). An FBI background check also is required 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.

General liability insurance provides coverage to a business for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage caused by the business' operations, products, or injury that happens on the business' premises.

All private security employers must maintain minimum insurance requirements for the term of their license:

• Employer's liability insurance: Minimum $100,000
• General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
• Workers' compensation insurance: Minimum $100,000

A vehicle endorsement allows a private security employer to authorize their security guards to use vehicles during the performance of security services. A vehicle endorsement is required whether the vehicles are owned by the employer, the guards, or another entity.

A private security employer can apply for this endorsement by submitting a request for vehicle endorsement(PDF, 900KB) form. Private security employers will provide photographs or renderings of proposed vehicle design(s). They are then reviewed to determine ordinance compliance. Remember:

• Each vehicle design must be submitted for review and approval before using it.
• A new vehicle design must be submitted for any non-identical set of verbiage, font, decal, and/or special paint design.
• Once approved, it can be used on any vehicle, regardless of the make and model.

If the company wants to have multiple vehicle designs approved, it needs to submit a distinct request for vehicle endorsement(PDF, 900KB) form for each one.

A weapons endorsement allows a private security employer to authorize their security guards to use weapons while working. Weapons typically are defined as firearms, stun guns, batons, or pepper spray. But any other weapon the employer wants to use must be approved.

A private security employer can apply for this endorsement by submitting a request for weapons endorsement(PDF, 947KB) form. Remember:

• The weapons endorsement is associated only with the specific weapons outlined in the private security employer application.
• A private security employer will not add or modify the weapons it provides or authorizes for use before receiving approval.
• It is the private security employer's responsibility to ensure all security guards are properly trained in the use of any weapons before they are authorized to carry them.

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

General managers can provide a copy of their valid Denver security guard license instead of an affidavit of criminal and employment history(PDF, 869KB) and an FBI background check within the last 60 days. This is because they have proved they are of good moral character through the security guard licensing process.

Workers' compensation insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who are injured during employment. This is in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue their employer for the tort of negligence.

All private security employers must maintain minimum insurance requirements for the term of their license:

• Employer's liability insurance: Minimum $100,000
• General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
• Workers' compensation insurance: Minimum $100,000

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 private security employer license application guide(PDF, 2MB).