Applying for Security Guard Firm License

Organize your company in West Virginia or get an out-of-state (foreign) company authorized by registering with the proper state agency. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships register through the State Tax Department. All other entity types register through the Secretary of State. A certificate of good standing from your home state will be required with your business registration if the company is an entity from another state.

Registration of your business is a separate registration from your Security Guard firm license and may be filed online through the One Stop Business Portal.

Use one of the following methods:

• Download the application form
• Request the application packet by email at licensing@wvsos.gov
• Call (304) 558-8000 to request an application packet with the correct fingerprint instructions

The online form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can fill it out on screen, then print. If you start with a printed form, please type or print in ink and make certain every entry is legible.

Make sure the qualifying agent — the person who is eligible to be licensed as a security guard and who will be responsible for the operation of the security guard operations of the firm — completes the security guard license application.

• Note: It is not permissible to have a person act as qualifying agent unless that person is directly involved with and responsible for supervising the security guard operations of the firm.
• Each officer, member or partner of a corporation, LLC, or partnership is required to submit a completed application form including references. Documentation of qualifications are not required for anyone other than the qualifying agent.

Complete the firm application, including the list of employees (include only those employees who will conduct security guard operations in West Virginia). Each officer of a corporation or voluntary association, member of a limited liability company, or partner of a partnership must sign the application.

Get one (1) required photograph for the qualifying agent, and for each officer, member or partner, taken within the last year. Have passport size color photos taken by a photographer — a colored background such as light blue or gray works best. Attach one (1) photo to the application for the qualifying agent and one for each officer, member or partner.

Choose one (1) of the following methods of proof of bond:

• Surety bond — Find a surety company authorized to do business in West Virginia who will agree to issue a surety bond of $5,000 naming you, the applicant, as principal. Take the surety bond form and instructions (included in the application) to the agent representing that company. If your firm is a corporation, the president or vice-president is required to sign the bond and have that signature notarized, unless a corporate resolution authorizing someone else to sign is attached, and a corporate seal must be attached if applicable. The surety agent's signature must be notarized, and a power of attorney must be attached. Your signature as principal must be notarized.
• Liability insurance — Provide sufficient proof of liability insurance as required by the Secretary of State.

For the qualifying agent, and for each officer, member or partner, provide a blank character reference letter form (included in the application) to five reputable citizens who have known the individual for five years and who are not related to that individual by blood or marriage. Ask each person to complete and sign the reference and return it to you. Do not mail or deliver the firm application until you have five completed references for each individual.

Provide copies of documentation proving the qualifying agent has met the training and/or experience requirements. Documentation may include:

• A copy of your diploma from an accredited college or university showing graduation from a two or four year program in criminal justice, criminal investigation, law enforcement or a related investigative field; or
• A transcript showing successful completion of at least sixty hours of credit in investigative studies; or
• A sworn statement (under penalty of false swearing) signed by one of the principals of a licensed private investigative or security guard firm specifying the time you were employed (hours per week and number of weeks), the skills you acquired, and your competency; or evidence of equivalent law enforcement employment. If all requirements are met by experience, the work must include a minimum of 32 hours per week for 100 weeks; or
• A combination of transcripts and experience. To determine if requirements are met, divide the number of appropriate college credits by sixty to determine the percentage met by education. For example: 24 credit hours ÷ 60 hours = 40% met by education, leaving 60% to be met by experience (60% × 100 weeks = 60 weeks minimum at 32 hours per week); or
• Verification of training received during military service relating to the private investigator and/or security guard business.

A $50 non-refundable application processing fee is included in the total fee. If your license is denied, the remainder will be refunded. The license is valid for two (2) years. The fee for a firm license is:

• $250 — West Virginia Resident
• $250 — Non-Resident of West Virginia

Submit your application, photographs, references, surety bond or proof of liability insurance, documentation of qualifications, and fee to: