How to Start a Security Guard Business
Setting up a company that supplies guards to sites and events: licensing questions for your state, hiring, insurance and the first shift you bill.
A security guard company sells trained people by the hour, so much of the set-up work is about licensing, hiring and insuring the guards you send to a site. Billing by shift, site and purchase order is covered in the security guard invoicing guide linked below.
The BLS page on security guards and gambling surveillance officers (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) says "Most states require that security guards be licensed by the state in which they work." It also says "Guards who carry weapons usually must be licensed by the appropriate government authority." Ask your state's licensing agency what it requires of each guard and of the company.
Sample figures for a first event shift: 12 guard hours at 12 × $32.00 = $384.00 and 6 supervisor hours at 6 × $40.00 = $240.00 add up to $384.00 + $240.00 = $624.00. Use your own figures; these are only an illustration.
Step-by-step startup guide
Follow these steps to launch your security guard business on solid footing.
- 1
Choose the work you'll cover
Decide between unarmed site patrols, event staffing or both, and which clients you'll pitch first.
- 2
Ask your state about licenses
Contact your state's licensing agency for private security and ask what the company and each guard need, including for armed posts.
- 3
Plan guard training
The BLS page (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) says "Employer-provided training typically covers emergency procedures, crime prevention, and proper communication." Check your state's training rules as well.
- 4
Hire and document guards
The IRS hiring page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated February 18, 2026) says "Ask all new employees to give you a signed Form W-4 when they start work." It also says "All U.S. employers must properly complete Form I-9 for every individual they hire for employment in the United States."
- 5
Insure the company
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "The federal government requires every business with employees to have the following:" and lists "Workers’ compensation", "Unemployment" and "Disability insurance". A licensed insurance agent can explain liability policies for the sites you protect.
- 6
Log shifts and bill them
Record each guard's start and end times per site, then invoice the client for the hours worked.
Tips for starting your security guard business
- Keep a copy of every guard's license and its expiry date.
- Write the post orders for each site and give a copy to every guard on it.
- Get your tax ID before you hire. The IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says "If it’s approved, we’ll issue your EIN immediately online."
- Ask clients for their purchase order details before the first shift.
How Billed helps you get started
Features to look at as you set up your business.
Team Time Tracking
Billed's features page says: "Collaborate and track your team’s time in one place."
Time Sheets
Billed's features page says: "Create time sheets from the time tracked to see how your team is spending time."
Export Timesheets
Billed's features page says: "Create and export your and your team’s timesheets."
Client Profiles
Billed's features page says: "Create and save client profiles to bill them quickly."
Frequently asked questions
More Startup Guides
Bill Your First Guard Shift
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Area | What to settle | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Guard licensing | Your state's licensing agency | BLS (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) |
| New hires | See step 4, which quotes the IRS hiring page | IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated February 18, 2026) |
| Employer insurance | See step 5, which quotes the SBA | SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) |
| First invoice | Guard and supervisor hours per site | Security guard invoicing guide |
When this isn't for you
Applying for a guard job with an existing company? Then this set-up work isn't yours to do; the company takes care of it.