Idaho Security Training Courses

Minimum Requirements for Unarmed Security Guards in Idaho

The state of Idaho does not license or regulate unarmed or armed security guards. However, individual cities and municipalities may have their own requirements.

While the state does not stipulate the minimum qualifications of an unarmed security guard, most security companies follow these industry hiring guidelines:

• Must be at least 18 years old with provisions that the candidate must be able to perform the duties required of the position
• Must be a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work
• Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Also, the applicant should demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak English and the language(s) most appropriate to his or her assigned duties.
• Successfully pass a background check
• Must not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or job related crime for a minimum seven-year period immediately preceding the candidate’s date of hire. Any felony conviction discovered in the course of conducting the search should also be considered relevant to the candidate’s qualifications for the position.
• Submission of a fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint
• Pass a drug screening test

Licensing Requirements for Security Guards in the State of Idaho

Each city or municipality has its own licensing requirements (if any). Only some are listed here, so check with your local City Clerk or Police Department.

City of Boise

The City of Boise requires security companies and security guards to be licensed.

To be licensed, a security guard must:

• Complete an online application: https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/finance-and-administration/city-clerk/licensing/security-services/security-personnel/
• Maintain a $2500 Bond running to the City of Boise and in full force and effect throughout the licensing period (not required if covered by your employer’s bond)
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee

City of Idaho Falls

The City of Idaho Falls requires licenses for “private Patrol Persons.” According to Idaho Falls City Code 4-6-1 (https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/DocumentCenter/View/178/Chapter-6---Private-Patrol-Services-PDF) a private Patrol Person is “any person who contracts or is employed for hired to guard, protect or maintain peace and order in or about any structure, premises or property within the City. This definition shall apply regardless of whether or not such person wears a uniform and without regard to whether he or she performs these activities on foot or by vehicle.”

To be licensed, an individual must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Not have been convicted of a felony or of any crime or offense involving violence or moral turpitude, or of any offense concerning the sale or transportation of intoxicating or alcoholic liquor
• Complete an application stating their full name, age, residence, present and previous occupation for 3 years prior to the application
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee
• File with the Clerk a surety bond in favor of the City
• Maintain a policy of general public liability insurance of at least $500,000 single limit liability for personal injury and property damage

Each private patrol person licensee will be issued an identification card

All licenses must be renewed annually

City of Nampa

The City of Nampa requires individual private security/patrol agents and private security companies to be licensed (https://www.cityofnampa.us/147/Licenses)

To be licensed, an individual must:

• Complete an application: https://www.cityofnampa.us/DocumentCenter/View/286/Private -Patrol-Agent-License-Application?bidId=
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Maintain a $2500 bond issued to the City of Nampa
• Pay a fee

A Private Security license application will be denied if the applicant has a criminal conviction (felony or misdemeanor) within the past five years.

City of Pocatello

Pocatello City Code 5.44 requires merchant security guard and merchant security guard businesses to be licensed.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pocatelloid/latest/pocatello_id/0-0-0-1012

To be licensed, an individual must:

• Complete an application: https://www.pocatello.us/DocumentCenter/View/573/Private -Investigator-Security-Guard-PDF?bidId=
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee
• Be found to have good moral character
• Never have pled guilty or been found guilty of any felony
• Be a U.S. citizen

Each merchant security guard will be issued an identification card that they must carry at all times while on duty.

If the individual is to be armed, they must provide proof they have passed the National Rifle Association's firearm short course within the past 12 months, or an alternative equivalent course. https://firearmtraining.nra.org/student-courses/https://firearmtraining.nra.org/student-courses/

All licenses must be renewed annually.

City of Coeur d'Alene

The City of Coeur d'Alene requires licenses for any agency/persons engaged in business of watching, guarding, protecting, any premises, property, or persons or who patrol streets, districts, or territories within the City limits for such purposes.

To be licensed, an individual/agency must:

• Complete an application: https://www.cdaid.org/License/IndividualLicenseChecklist/0?LicId=19
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee

Licensing Requirements for Security Companies in the State of Idaho

Each city or municipality has its own licensing requirements (if any). Only some are listed here, so check with your local City Clerk or Police Department.

City of Boise

The City of Boise requires security companies and security guards to be licensed.

To be licensed, a security company must:

• Complete an online application: https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/finance-and-administration/city-clerk/licensing/security-services/security-company-application/
• Maintain $10,000 Fiduciary Bond Insurance, naming the City of Boise as the certificate holder
• Maintain $500,000 Certificate of Liability Insurance, naming the City of Boise as the certificate holder
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Submit photos of your company uniform to be approved by licensing staff

City of Idaho Falls

The City of Idaho Falls requires licenses for “private Patrol Persons.” According to Idaho Falls City Code 4-6-1 (https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/DocumentCenter/View/178/Chapter-6---Private-Patrol-Services-PDF) a private Patrol Person is “any person who contracts or is employed for hired to guard, protect or maintain peace and order in or about any structure, premises or property within the City. This definition shall apply regardless of whether or not such person wears a uniform and without regard to whether he or she performs these activities on foot or by vehicle.” A company must also be licensed in order to operate as a private patrol service.

To be licensed, a company must:

• Complete an application stating the applicant's full name, age, residential address, present and previous occupation for
• 3 years prior to the application, and the name of the business
• Pay a fee
• Certify that all their employees meet the requirements of an individual private patrol person license
• File with the Clerk a surety bond in favor of the City

Maintain a policy of general public liability insurance of at least $500,000 single limit liability for personal injury and property damage.

Each private patrol service licensee will be issued a placard All licenses must be renewed annually.

City of Nampa

The City of Nampa requires individual private security/patrol agents and private security companies to be licensed (https://www.cityofnampa.us/147/Licenses)

To be licensed, a company must:

• Complete an application: https://www.cityofnampa.us/DocumentCenter/View/287/Private-Security-Alarm-Installation-Company-License-Application?bidId=
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Maintain a $10,000 bond issued to the City of Nampa
• Maintain a certificate of insurance, minimum $500,000, naming the City of Nampa as "additional insured." • Pay a fee

A Private Security license application will be denied if the applicant has a criminal conviction (felony or misdemeanor) within the past five years.

City of Caldwell

The City of Caldwell requires private security companies to be licensed. Companies must begin the licensing process with the Caldwell Police Department. The license is then issued through the City Clerk.

• City of Caldwell licenses: https://www.cityofcaldwell.org/work/where-do-your-obtain-permits-licenses
• City of Caldwell Police Department: https://www.cityofcaldwell.org/departments/public-safety/caldwell-police

City of Pocatello

Pocatello City Code 5.44 requires merchant security guard and merchant security guard businesses to be licensed.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pocatelloid/latest/pocatello_id/0 -0-0-1012

To be licensed, a company must:

• Complete an application: https://www.pocatello.us/DocumentCenter/View/572/Private-Investigator-Security-Guard---Business-PDF?bidId=
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• File a surety bond with the chief of police in the sum of $10,000, taken in the name of the people of Pocatello, Idaho • Pay a fee

All licenses must be renewed annually.

City of Coeur d'Alene

The City of Coeur d'Alene requires licenses for any agency/persons engaged in business of watching, guarding, protecting, any premises, property, or persons or who patrol streets, districts, or territories within the City limits for such purposes.

To be licensed, an individual/agency must:

• Complete an application: https://www.cdaid.org/License/IndividualLicenseChecklist/0?LicId=19
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee

City of Lewiston

The City of Lewiston requires companies operating as a "security officer service" to be licensed. "Security officer service" means any person who accepts employment for hire, fee or reward to protect private property, to furnish protection to private property by checking doors, windows and other exits of private property located within the city or to furnish any other services incidental to and in connection with the protection of private property within the city, except those persons hired directly as security officers by individual businesses and whose full-time duties consist of keeping watch over a single store or single place of business. https://www.cityoflewiston.org/270/Security-Officer-Armored-Car-Delivery-Se

To be licensed, a company must:

• Complete an application: https://www.cityoflewiston.org/DocumentCenter/View/460/Security-Officer-and-Armored-Car-Delivery-Service-License-Application-PDF
• Maintain a surety bond in the amount of $1000                        
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check
• Pay a fee

Getting your Idaho security guard license with Top Gun Security Academy is a streamlined process, but it requires a serious commitment to professionalism and a willingness to constantly better yourself. You’re the person that others have placed their trust in for their well-being and the security of their assets. We don’t just ask for your trust; our instructors have trained countless newcomers and veterans alike both online and in person to hone their security skills. 

If you’re ready to get your Idaho guard card, joining Top Gun’s online security courses will get you started in the rewarding career of being a professional security officer. For more information about our classes and other services, reach out to us here.