To become a security guard, you usually need to be at least 18, pass a background check and complete training, then get licensed or registered where you'll work. In the US, most states license guards, and California, for example, requires power to arrest training before registration. In the UK, most front line guarding jobs need an SIA licence, which costs £204 as of October 2026 and lasts 3 years.
Security guards protect people, property and premises, from offices and shops to schools and hospitals. It's a quick job to get into, but the licence rules differ by state and country. Here's the route from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California's Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, and the UK Security Industry Authority and National Careers Service, read on 26 October 2026.
US basics
| Fact | BLS figure (May 2025 data) |
|---|---|
| Median pay, security guards | $38,020 a year, as of October 2026 |
| Entry education | High school diploma or equivalent, though some jobs don't ask for one |
| Jobs | About 1.3 million |
| Openings each year | About 157,200 including gambling surveillance officers |
| Basic licence rules | Be at least 18, pass a background check, complete training |
BLS says many states recommend about 8 hours of training before assignment, 8 to 16 hours on the job and 8 hours every year. Armed guards face tougher background checks and need weapons training, and some states and casinos set a minimum age of 21.
California example: the guard card
- Be at least 18.
- Pass a criminal history check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI, using Live Scan fingerprinting.
- Complete power to arrest training before your registration is issued.
- Apply to the Bureau. Online applications through BreEZe can cut processing time by up to two weeks, and processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
- Complete 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months of registration (16 within 30 days if you can't show certificates to your employer).
- Do 8 hours of continuing training every year.
A useful detail: once the Bureau has approved you, you can start work before the plastic card arrives, as long as you carry a printout of the approval from the Bureau's website and photo ID. Renewals must be in at least 60 days before expiry, or you risk having to apply all over again.
UK: the SIA licence
The National Careers Service says you need a front line Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to work legally in many security guard jobs, including all agency and contractor roles. Before you apply, you train for an approved licence-linked qualification. The SIA's own guidance sets out the costs, as of October 2026:
| SIA rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £204 for one licence, since 1 April 2026 |
| Why it rose | The SIA stopped the £20 rebate it had used to discount the fee since April 2020 |
| Extra licences | 50% off each additional licence in the same application, so £102 each |
| How long it lasts | 3 years, except a vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts 1 year |
| Refunds | None if your application fails |
The rule that catches people out: if you've spent 6 continuous months or more outside the UK in the last 10 years, you must provide overseas criminal record checks. Sort those out before you pay, because the fee isn't refundable.
UK apprenticeship route
You can also start with a Professional Security Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Security First Line Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship if you already have experience. If you'd like to work with dogs, there's a Detection and Protection Working Dog Specialist Level 3 apprenticeship. These take between 1 and 2 years.
Where guards earn more (US)
BLS shows that the employer type matters, as of October 2026. Guards in healthcare and social assistance had a median of $44,920 and those in educational services $44,250, compared with $37,350 at investigation, guard and armored car services, which employ 58% of guards. If you have a choice, a direct hire at a hospital or school can pay noticeably more than a contract agency.
What the job involves
- Patrolling property and carrying out security checks
- Enforcing the rules of an employer's property
- Monitoring alarms and video surveillance from a fixed post
- Controlling who enters a building
- Responding to emergencies and deterring crime
Because many buildings are open 24 hours a day, BLS says guards usually work shifts of about 8 hours on rotating schedules, and night shifts are common. Guards work in industrial settings, shops and office buildings, and in retail some help detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive.
One more tip for the UK: pick your licence-linked course to match the work you want. The SIA covers different front line licences, including security guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV, and cash and valuables in transit, and each needs the right qualification.
My verdict
Security is one of the quickest jobs to start, but the licence is your real entry ticket, so budget for it and get your background checks in order first. In the US, check your state's guard card rules; in the UK, choose the right licence-linked course for the SIA licence you need. If you end up running shifts, here's a guide to security guard scheduling software, and try these job interview prompts before you apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a licence to be a security guard in the UK?
For many jobs, yes. The National Careers Service says you need a front line SIA licence for agency and contractor jobs, and you must first complete a licence-linked qualification.
What shifts do security guards work?
BLS says shifts are usually about 8 hours with rotating schedules, and night shifts are common.
How old do you have to be to be a security guard?
Usually at least 18. BLS lists 18 as a basic state licensing requirement, and the UK National Careers Service says you must be over 18.
How much is an SIA licence?
As of October 2026, it costs £204 for one licence since 1 April 2026, with additional licences in the same application at £102.
How long does an SIA licence last?
3 years, except a vehicle immobiliser licence, which lasts 1 year.
How many hours of training does a California security guard need?
Power to arrest training before registration, 32 hours of security officer skills training within six months, and 8 hours of continuing training every year.
How much do security guards make in the US?
As of October 2026, BLS reports a median of $38,020 a year for security guards, from May 2025 data.
Do armed guards need extra licensing?
Yes. BLS says guards who carry weapons usually must be licensed by the appropriate authority and face stricter background checks.
