Run a security company that holds up.

The licenses, permits, insurance and training you need to start a security company — the company license vs the guard card, and how it varies by state.

TrackTik vs Silvertrac compared — pricing, features, ownership, and reviews. Plus why they're now the same company, and the transparent-pricing alternative.

Looking for a TrackTik alternative? What to compare, why smaller operators switch, and how Safetrac compares — with public pricing and free migration.

Looking for a Silvertrac alternative? What to compare, why operators switch, and how Safetrac stacks up — with public pricing and free migration.

What security incident reporting software does, the features that make a report hold up, and how to choose a system that protects you in a dispute.

What security guard tracking software does, the features that actually matter, and how to choose a system that proves your guards were where they should be.

A guard card licenses a person; a company license licenses a business. The difference decides whether you can work as a guard or open a security company.

What insurance a security company needs — general liability, workers' comp, bonds and the coverages clients actually demand, plus how minimums vary by state.

How to start a security company in 10 steps — licensing, insurance, entity, hiring and winning your first contract, with the state-by-state specifics linked.

What it really costs to start a security company — license fees, insurance, bond, entity, training and the payroll float that sinks new operators.

What a guard tour system is, how QR and GPS checkpoint scanning proves patrols, and how to choose one that gives you defensible proof of presence.

The best Destiny Software alternatives for security patrols — how Destiny compares to Safetrac, Silvertrac, TrackTik and Belfry on features, pricing and fit.

What daily activity report software does, why automated DARs win contracts, and how to choose one that generates the client's report without manual writing.

How to choose the best security guard management software — the features that matter, the pricing traps to avoid, and how the main platforms compare.

The best Belfry alternatives for security companies — how Belfry compares to Safetrac, TrackTik, Silvertrac and Destiny on features, pricing and fit.

What California guard companies must document at hire and each shift — onboarding, meal and rest breaks, wage statements, and the records that decide a PAGA claim.

Alabama licenses contract security firms through the Security Regulatory Board — qualifying agent, $2M cover filed with the board, and a fixed 30 September expiry.

Alaska licenses guard agencies through the Department of Public Safety under AS 18.65.400. The $200 agency licence, 13 AAC 60 insurance limits and the 40-hour training clock.

How to earn an Arizona Security Guard Agency License from AZ DPS — the qualifying party's three years, agency name approval, $100K/$300K cover and the 16-hour armed course.

What the Class B security services contractor licence from Arkansas State Police actually takes — the manager rule, $500,000 liability, fees, and armed commissions.

How to start a licensed security company in California — Qualified Manager rules, entity setup, insurance minimums, the BSIS PPO application and patch approval.

Colorado licenses no security company and, since 2020, no private investigator either. Denver's Excise and Licenses regime under DRMC Article V is the one that matters.

Launching a licensed guard company in Connecticut: the DESPP Security Service licence, the five-year supervisory rule, a $10,000 bond, and 8-hour guard cards.

Running a guard company in Delaware: the State Police Class B agency licence, the owner-only licence holder rule, the $10,000 bond and the quarterly Board meeting.

How to launch a licensed security guard company in Florida — the FDACS Class "B" agency licence, Class "MB" manager, Class "D" and "G" officers, and real costs.

Getting a Private Security Business License from the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies — fees, the PSI exam, bond options, timeline.

Hawaii's Board of Private Detectives and Guards licenses Guard Agencies — a principal guard with four years' experience, the PSI exam, a $5,000 bond, 12 training hours.

Idaho has no statewide security licence. Boise charges $180.25 for a private patrol company licence, Meridian charges nothing, and Nampa wants a $10,000 bond.

Illinois licenses guard companies through IDFPR as a Private Security Contractor Agency. The exam, the three-year manager rule, PERC cards, insurance and every fee.

Indiana's Security Guard Agency licence, issued by the PLA's Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board — 4,000 verified hours, $300, no exam, no guard cards.

Iowa licenses guard companies under Code ch. 80A for $100 a biennium — a $5,000 bond, zero mandated training hours, and a badge the commissioner has to approve first.

Kansas has no state security guard company licence — the Attorney General licenses private detectives only. What you actually need: an entity, insurance, and city permits.

Kentucky issues no state security guard company licence. Here is what really governs you — KRS 329A, Secretary of State filing, Louisville and Lexington occupational licences.

Getting a Company License from the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners — the three-year experience rule, $500,000 insurance, fees and guard training.

Maine licenses the company, not the guard. Get the State Police Contract Security Company License: the $400 fee, the agent rule, the bond, and no exam at all.

What a Maryland Security Guard Agency License takes: the six sworn-service routes in § 19-303, State Police fees, tiered insurance, and certifying guards.

Massachusetts licenses guard firms as a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency through the State Police: $550, a $5,000 bond, no exam, and no mandated guard training.

Michigan licenses guard companies through LARA as a Security Guard Agency — $300 for two years, a $25,000 bond, five references and two county officials who must sign off.

Minnesota's Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services licences Protective Agents — 6,000 documented hours, a $10,000 bond and a 20-day public posting.

Mississippi licenses no guard company. What it does license: a $132 DPS security guard firearm permit per armed officer, and alarm and CCTV work under the Fire Marshal.

Missouri issues no statewide guard company licence. Kansas City's police board, the St. Louis Metropolitan License and a $50 Springfield permit decide whether you can work.

Montana licenses guard companies as Private Security Firms through the Department of Labor & Industry. No qualifying agent, no exam, $250, and 16 hours of guard training.

Nebraska issues no security guard company licence. The Secretary of State licenses detectives only — so entity filing, newspaper notice and insurance are the real gates.

Nevada's PILB wants 10,000 hours before it licenses a private patrol officer, plus a quarterly written exam, $500 a year per category and $200,000 of cover.

New Hampshire licenses guard companies under RSA 106-F. The State Police security guard agency licence is $350, the surety bond $50,000, and no experience is required.

The Security Officer Company licence from the NJ State Police Private Detective Unit — five years of owner experience, a $5,000 bond and 24-hour SORA training.

What it takes to run a licensed guard company in New Mexico — the RLD private patrol company licence, the 4,000-hour operator rule and the three security guard levels.

How to launch a licensed security guard company in New York — the DOS Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency licence, the walk-in exam, bond, insurance and real costs.

What the NC Private Protective Services Board actually requires for a Security Guard and Patrol license — qualifying agent hours, fees, insurance and guard registration.

North Dakota's Private Investigation and Security Board puts the agency licence behind commissioned officer rank. Fees, the 124-hour ladder and the equivalency route.

Ohio licenses guard companies through ODPS PISGS — the Class C provider licence, a 4,000-hour qualifying agent, the Columbus exam, insurance and armed guard rules.

Oklahoma licenses guard companies through CLEET — the $300 Security Agency License, its five-year term, the 40-hour guard course, armed rules and liability coverage.

Launching a guard company in Oregon means a DPSST Private Security Entity licence, an executive manager licence, wage-payment security and DPSST cards.

Pennsylvania has no state security licensing agency. Here is the Private Detective Act licence your county Court of Common Pleas grants, the $10,000 bond, and Act 235.

Rhode Island licenses guard companies through the Attorney General's BCI — the $400 biennial Private Security Guard Business licence, insurance and badge rules.

What SLED actually requires for a Contract Security Business License in South Carolina — the $350 annual fee, $10,000 bond, two-year principal rule and weapons permits.

South Dakota licenses no security company at state level. The only guard regulator is Rapid City's police chief — plus entity filing, insurance and optional workers' comp.

Tennessee licenses guard firms through TDCI Private Protective Services. Inside the Contract Security Company licence, qualifying agent rules, fees and guard cards.

How to launch a licensed security guard company in Texas — the DPS Class B licence, company representative experience, statutory insurance, and real costs.

Launching a guard company in Utah — the DOPL Contract Security Company licence, the 6,000-hour qualifying agent, insurance riders and officer training hours.

Vermont licenses guard agencies through the Secretary of State's OPR — the $390 Security Services Agency licence, the designated licensee rule and the 40-hour training path.

Launching a guard company in Virginia — the DCJS Private Security Services Business License, compliance agent certification, $1M liability cover and registering every officer.

What the Washington Department of Licensing wants for a private security guard company: principal qualification, insurance, training hours, armed endorsement.

West Virginia licenses security guard firms through the Secretary of State: the $250 Security Guard Firm License, the 100-week qualifying agent rule and the $5,000 bond.

Wisconsin's $8 Private Detective/Security Agency licence from DSPS — the $100,000 bond-or-policy choice, the permit every guard needs, and 36 hours of training for armed work.

Wyoming licenses no security companies at state level. Cheyenne's $140 guard business licence, a $10,000 bond and mandatory state-fund workers' comp are the real gates.