How to become a Maryland licensed security guard

It is important to have the right skills to be hired  for security jobs.  However, most security companies wont schedule an interview with job applicants that do not have a Maryland Guard Card.  This leads many wonder how security guards in Maryland get their licenses.  Each state has its own requirements and processes for attaining a security guard license.  Maryland security guard licenses are issued by the Maryland State Police Licensing Division .  

There are several steps required in the process of attaining a security guard license also known as a “guard card in Maryland. ”  Applicants must get hired by a security agency, LiveScan fingerprints, submit complete application, meet Maryland State Police criminal history requirements., wait for the license. 

Before starting the process it is best to make sure that you do not fall into the category of a person who will be denied.  The most important of those standards concerns having a criminal record.  Here is what the code states:

The Maryland State Police may deny certification as a security guard to any applicant:

1.   if the applicant or individual fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain certification as a security guard ; OR

2.   if, under the laws of the United States or of, any state, the applicant or individual plead(s) guilty or nolle contendre to or is convicted of (1) a felony; or (2) a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or individual to be certified as a security guard.

According to this standard having an applicant with a criminal record can be approved for a security license in Maryland.  The approval or denial is based on the nature of the crime and age of the conviction.  Even though you can be approved for a security license with a criminal record, some companies will not hire you.  For example, Urgent Security & Fire Watch  will not hire guards with any type of criminal record. 

The most difficult part of getting a Maryland security guard license is getting hired by a Maryland security company.  All applicants for a Maryland guard card must be sponsored by a licensed Maryland security agency.  The competition level for security guard positions is very high. Many security companies receive literally hundreds of applications per day when they post job openings.  The requirements set in place by these security companies vary.  Some companies have extensive pre-hire screening that includes drug and medical screening, fitness tests, math and English tests and even personality tests in some cases.  There are other security companies in Maryland that have much lower standards.  Some security companies in MD have been known to employ guards without running a simple background check.  They do this on the basis that Maryland State Police run their own check while processing the license application.  This approach is problematic, as it takes several months for Maryland State Police to process the application.  As a result these companies are employing guards and having them work for months without knowing if they have a criminal record.  Even if an applicant successfully passes the screening process, they still have to out shine hundreds of other applicants.  The competition for open positions is stiff to the point that getting hired is the most difficult part of becoming a licensed security guard in Maryland.    Here is one place that you can find  Maryland security guard jobs. 

LiveScan fingerprinting is the first step after getting hired.  We all have seen the scenes on television or the movies involving a person getting fingerprinting.  The suspect stands there looking grim while their fingers are pressed in black ink.  Maryland requires LiveScan fingerprinting. LiveScan fingerprinted electronically scans the fingers. You can read a more detailed description of LiveScan fingerprinting here  . There are several places to get LiveScan fingerprints.  Here are a few popular places:

Maryland LiveScan http://www.marylandfingerprinting.com/

American Fingerprinting Services http://americanfingerprintingservices.vpweb.com/

Most people would think that completing an application is fairly simple.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in Maryland.  Though it is not the most difficult part of the process, there are several aspects to completing the application can be tricky.  The application must be completed electronically.  The application document is a PDF that has sections that open based on which boxes you check.  If you do not check the right boxes you will not see all of the fields and submit an incomplete application.  Incomplete applications are returned in the mail and you have to start the process all over again.  Follow this link to download the Maryland Security Guard application  

Maryland State Police want to make sure that applicants meet the minimum requirements to be approved for a Maryland security guard license.  They have a relatively small staff to handle this task.  As a result, applications typically take 3-4 months to be approved.  It is not unheard of for it to take as long as 6 months.  In some cases, an applicant will wait months only to be informed that their application was rejected due to not checking a box.  Fortunately, license applicants can legally work while their license is being processed. 

 There are multiple steps required to receive a Maryland Security Guard License.  This is also known as a “Maryland guard card”.  You must be hired by a Maryland security guard agency, get LiveScan fingerprints, complete and submit and application and wait several months for your license to be approved.  Thousands of people go through this process every year to start their career.  Considering the long term prospects for a career as a security guard, many believe that it is well worth it.  

 Are you considering getting your Virginia security guard license?  Read this article about  getting your security guard license in Virginia  

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