Minnesota: Armed Security Officers
Legislation and Details for Minnesota
Minnesota Statutes 326.32 to 326.339
In Minnesota, individual security officers are not licensed but business entities bear the licensure demands.
The security business licensee also assumes responsibility for the conduct, behavior and background of employees hired. As in select other states, Minnesota has a registration of employee process. Hence even the employee registration process is limited as to requirements. For example, the background check only applies to private detectives and protective agents.
The Minnesota code states in part:
A license holder may employ, in connection with the business of private detective or protective agent, as many unlicensed persons as may be necessary; provided that every license holder is at all times accountable for the good conduct of every person employed.
See: §323.336
Security officer employees, upon application of their employers, receive and carry an identification card.
The code holds:
Subd. 2.Identification card. An identification card must be issued by the license holder to each employee. The card must be in the possession of the employee to whom it is issued at all times. The identification card must contain the license holder’s name, logo (if any), address or Minnesota office address, and the employee’s photograph and physical description. The card must be signed by the employee and by the license holder, qualified representative, or Minnesota office manager.
See: §323.336
Proprietary Security:
According to Minnesota Statue Chapter 326 Section 3381 Subd. 1A
”A proprietary employer is not required to obtain a license, but must comply with section 326.336, subdivision 1, with respect to the hiring of security guards.”
In the State of Minnesota, there is no licensing requirement for an unarmed security officer. However, a security officer (protection agent employee) must agree to a background check.
For the following circumstances individuals require a license:
An Individual is a person making application for a private detective or protective agent license as a sole proprietor, and is the day-to-day manager and supervisor of the licensed activity.
(It is not an employee of a licensed firm.) This person may or may not have employees.
NOTE: A person who has a corporation relating to the business cannot be licensed as an individual and must apply as the corporation.
License fees for individual protective agents:
$25 Non-refundable application fee
$800 License Fee
$33.25 Fingerprint Fee
$10 Fingerprint Card Fee
Make Checks Payable to:
Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services
1430 Maryland Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Minnesota permits employees of license holders to temporarily work and be trained during the application process.
Upon receipt of any disqualifying information such as a criminal record, the employer license holder will terminate the employee.
See:326.336 EMPLOYEES OF LICENSE HOLDERS.
Minnesota does not provide for reciprocal recognition.
U.S. Citizen or resident alien
Minnesota Statutes § 326.3361 Subdivision 4
A person licensed as a peace officer by the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
See: 326.3361
Permit to carry-
The fee for a new permit to carry will be determined by the county sheriff, not to exceed $100.
A fee for a renewal permit (applied for before the expiration date of a current permit to carry) will be determined by the county sheriff, not to exceed $75. An additional $10.00 fee will be charged for those applying for a renewal after the expiration date on the previous permit, but within 30 days of that expiration date.
Minnesota Statutes § 326.336 Subdivision 2
An identification card must be issued by the license holder to each employee. The card must be in the possession of the employee to whom it is issued at all times. The identification card must contain the license holder’s name, logo (if any), address or Minnesota office address, and the employee’s photograph and physical description. The card must be signed by the employee and by the license holder, qualified representative, or Minnesota office manager.
Fingerprint Fee: $33.25
Fingerprint Card Fee: $ 10
No baseline requirement
No baseline requirement
Minnesota Statutes § 326.336 Subdivision 1
The employee is a conditional employee until the employer receives a report from the bureau that, based on a check of the criminal records maintained by the bureau, the prospective employee has not been convicted in Minnesota of a felony or any offense listed in section 326.3381, subdivision 3, other than a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor assault. During the period of conditional employment, the person may not serve as a private detective or protective agent, but may be trained by the employer. >/br>
The bureau shall determine if the Federal Bureau of Investigation report indicates that the employee was convicted of a disqualifying offense and shall notify the employer accordingly. The employer shall immediately dismiss an employee who has been convicted of a disqualifying offense.
Minnesota Statutes § 326.3381 Subdivision 3
No person is qualified to hold a license who has:
(1) been convicted of
(i) a felony by the courts of this or any other state or of the United States;
(ii) acts which, if done in Minnesota, would be criminal sexual conduct; assault; theft; larceny; burglary; robbery; unlawful entry; extortion; defamation; buying or receiving stolen property; using, possessing, manufacturing, or carrying weapons unlawfully; using, possessing, or carrying burglary tools unlawfully; escape; possession, production, sale, or distribution of narcotics unlawfully; or
(iii) in any other country of acts which, if done in Minnesota, would be a felony or would be any of the other offenses provided in this clause and for which a full pardon or similar relief has not been granted;
(2) made any false statement in an application for a license or any document required to be submitted to the board; or
(3) failed to demonstrate to the board good character, honesty, and integrity.
Retrieved from https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=326.3381
Pre-assignment Training – (12 hours Initial)
Continuing Training – (6 hours Annually)
Armed Training – To include First Aid and CPR – (6 hours Initial)
Armed Continuing Training – (6 hours Annually)
For more information –
• Core Objective Guide for Protective Agents
• Core Objective Guide for Armed Persons
• Course application documents
See: Training Information
Courses will cover the following subjects:
• Firearms Training
• The use of force
• Restraint techniques
• Chemical weapons
• Batons
• Electronic incapacitation devices
• Nightsticks
• Bludgeons
Qualification (Minimum Standard)
a) Practice Rounds/Familiarization
b) Qualification Firing:
1) Course of Fire:
15 ft. 2x3rds – 6 seconds = 6 rounds
25 ft. 2x3rds – 6 seconds = 6 rounds
25 ft. 6 rounds, reload fire, 6 rds., 60 seconds = 12 rounds
50 ft. 3x2nds – 6 seconds = 6 rounds
Sub-Total = 30 rounds
21 ft. low light 6 rounds
21 ft. darkness 6 rounds
21 ft. rapid/slow fire 8 rounds
Sub-Total = 20 rounds
TOTAL = 50 rounds
Passing Score: Pass/Fail
See: Training information
No baseline requirement