Rhode Island like selected other states, does not directly license security officers. Instead, the state licenses firms or entities offering security services and promulgates rules as to competency,
qualification for employed security officers through a registration system.
Whether an individual, partnership or corporation dedicated to security services, the state licenses that form of entity. Information on the licensure process for business is provided as useful reference.

The law states in part:
“[..] No person shall perform the functions and duties of an employee of a business required to be licensed under this chapter in this state, without first having been registered or licensed.”
See: Section 5-5.1-18

See: More information on the individual application to do business

Registered security employees are not subject to the same level of regulatory scrutiny as individual security services providers. Rhode island requires that each employee to “execute a verified statement known as ’employee’s registration statement'”.
See: Rules and Regulations 15.4

The registration process only becomes mandatory after a conditional offer of employment to the licensee.
The rules require the licensee to assure compliance with background reviews.

See: Rules and Regulations – Relating to The Licensing And Regulation
of The Private Security Guard Business

I. License
$400   License Fee – If working as an individual business .

II. Employee Registration
$35   Criminal Background Check fee for employee registration. This fee has to be paid for every individual employee.

See: More information on security license application fees

I. License Applicant
Must be 18 years of age

See: Rhode Island General Laws (RI Gen L) § 5-5.1-8(1)


II. Employee Registration
The employee’s registration statement” must include the date of birth.
See: Rules and Regulations 15.4(a)

I. License Applicant
Must be a United States citizen or resident alien

See: RI Gen L § 5-5.1-8(2)

II. Employee Registration
The employee’s registration statement must include the country of which he is a citizen
See: Rules and Regulations 15.4(b)

No baseline requirement

None

None

The attorney general shall prescribe by regulation the form of identification cards that may be carried by persons licensed under this chapter.
See: Rules and Regulations 17.1

I. License Applicant
Be of good moral character

See: RI Gen L § 5-5.1-8(7)

II. Employee Registration
The employee’s registration statement should include any further information as the Attorney General may by rule require to show the good character, competency, and integrity of the employee.
See: Rules and Regulations 15.4(e)

I. License Applicant
Fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI.
Security Guard License Packet

See: Fingerprint form

Fees: $40.00 for Security Employees.

I. License Applicant
Not suffer from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence

See: RI Gen L § 5-5.1-8(6)

I. License Applicant
Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease and not having been restored

See: RI Gen L § 5-5.1-8(5)

I. License Applicant
The licensee must assure that registered employees are screened for the following:
•   the business or occupation engaged in for the last five (5) years preceding the date of the
filing of the statement, setting forth the places where such business or occupation was
engaged in, and the names of employers.
•   that he has not been convicted of a felony or of any offense involving moral turpitude.
•   any further information as the Attorney General may by rule require to show the good
character, competency, and integrity of the employee.
•   all holders of the license shall be allowed to obtain a criminal background check on any
employee or prospective employee from the Department of Attorney General upon
payment of the required fee.
See: RI Gen L § 5-5.1-8(3)

II. Employee Registration

No licensee shall knowingly employ in any capacity whatsoever, any person who has been convicted of a felony.
See: Rules and Regulations 15.1

All holders of a license shall be allowed to obtain a criminal background check on any employee of prospective employee from the Department of Attorney General upon payment of the required fee.
See: Rules and Regulation 15.4(f)

The fee for a criminal background check is $35.

Starting Monday, July 23, 2018, all in-person state and national background checks will ONLY be available at our new Customer Service Center located at 4 Howard Avenue in Cranston (located in the Pastore Center)

Not required

Not Required

Not required

A professional license can be revoked for failing to pay child support

See: R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-11.1-1 through 15-11.1-12

  •   Legislation (PDF)

  •   Application (PDF)