A business that provides private contract security services in Louisiana must obtain the required LSBPSE company license before soliciting or operating. An organization that directly employs security personnel solely to protect its own property is not necessarily a contract security company

An applicant or qualifying agent must meet one of the following experience requirements:

Security Company Experience: Three consecutive years of experience as an employee, manager, or owner of a licensed contract security company.

Law Enforcement Experience: Three years of experience as a law enforcement officer with a federal, state, local, or United States military law enforcement agency.

Applicants must provide a résumé with verifiable employment dates and supporting documentation demonstrating qualifying experience. Military law enforcement applicants may be required to submit a DD-214 verifying their service.

LSBPSE reviews each applicant's documented experience to determine eligibility.

Under the Board’s existing guidance, proprietary security work performed directly for a client, bail bonding or correctional employment without qualifying law enforcement duties, and general military service outside military law enforcement do not satisfy the company-license experience pathway. LSBPSE makes the final determination based on the applicant’s documented duties.

Yes. A corporation formed outside Louisiana must be duly authorized to do business in Louisiana, including obtaining any required certificate of authority and designating an agent for service of process. It must also satisfy all LSBPSE licensing requirements before soliciting or operating in Louisiana.

The licensee must maintain at least $500,000 in general liability insurance and name the State of Louisiana as an additional insured. Provide the carrier-issued certificate of insurance. The Board’s existing company guidance also specifies coverage provisions for hiring, training and retention; errors and omissions; firearms; and care, custody and control.

Contact the Company & Instructor Licensing Team. Once the team verifies preliminary eligibility, the Company License Application will be made available in your Licensing & Registration Portal account. Do not mail a paper application package.

Before applying for a security company license, your business must be properly registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State and maintain an active, good-standing status, as applicable. Out-of-state corporations must also obtain any required authorization to conduct business in Louisiana.

Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State website for business registration information and instructions.

Yes. Your company name must not imply that your business is a law enforcement agency or closely resemble the name of an existing licensed security company in Louisiana.

Applicants should confirm that their proposed business name meets LSBPSE requirements before submitting a company license application.

Signature requirements depend on the company's business structure:

Individual Applicant: The applicant must sign and swear to the application.

Partnership: Each partner must sign and swear to the application.

Corporation: At least two principal corporate officers must sign and swear to the application.

Additional documentation and background checks may be required for individuals associated with the company.

Applicants and other individuals subject to screening must follow the background-check and fingerprint instructions provided by LSBPSE. The Board has adopted IdentoGO LiveScan fingerprinting; confirm the correct company-applicant enrollment instructions and service code with the licensing team before scheduling. Do not rely on older instructions to mail fingerprint cards.

The examination covers Louisiana statutes and administrative rules governing the private security industry. Review Louisiana R.S. 37:3270 et seq. and Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46, Part LIX, including the rules scheduled to take effect October 20, 2026. The licensing team will provide scheduling instructions after the application and payment steps are completed.

LSBPSE investigates the application and verifies the submitted information. Louisiana R.S. 37:3277 provides for the Board to issue a license or notify the applicant of denial within 60 days after receipt of an application. Requests for missing or additional information are handled under the statute and may affect the review process. The company may not operate or solicit business before the license is issued.

Company licenses are issued for one year. Renew through the Licensing & Registration Portal and submit the required renewal fee at least 30 days before the license expires. The updated rules address expiration-date calculations, so always use the date shown on the issued license and portal.

Yes. The updated rules scheduled for October 20, 2026 require security company marketing materials and vehicles to display the company’s LSBPSE license number. Review existing advertising and vehicles for compliance before the rules take effect.

No. Companies must verify completion of all applicable initial training before an officer’s first assignment. Additional training may apply to armed or less-lethal duties.

An occupational license is a local business license or tax registration issued by the city or parish where your business operates.

Security companies must obtain an occupational license when required by the applicable local jurisdiction. Requirements vary by location, and some jurisdictions may not issue occupational licenses.

Visit the Louisiana Association of Tax Administrators website to find occupational licensing information for your city or parish.

Security company uniforms, badges, insignia, and vehicles must comply with LSBPSE requirements and must not imply that security personnel are law enforcement officers.

Uniform Requirements:

Uniforms and outerwear must display the security company's name.

Uniforms, badges, and insignia must be distinguishable from those used by law enforcement agencies.

Applicants must submit uniform descriptions and full-length photographs for Board approval.

Vehicle Requirements:

Vehicles must not display markings, insignia, or wording that imply affiliation with a law enforcement agency.

Red or blue emergency lights are prohibited on vehicles used for security assignments.

Effective October 20, 2026, company vehicles and marketing materials must display the company's LSBPSE license number.

Companies are responsible for ensuring their uniforms and vehicles comply with all applicable Board requirements.

No. Security officers working for a licensed private contract security company must be classified as W-2 employees, not 1099 independent contractors.

Louisiana law requires security officers to be employed by a licensed contract security company. Companies are responsible for ensuring their security officers are properly registered, trained, and employed in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including fines or suspension or revocation of the company's license.