Basic Licensing Requirements

Licensing Categories

Watchman –   A person employed without police powers and without authorization to carry weapons or protective devices.  A watchman performs the tasks of observation and reporting on or in a designated area and may include patrolling a public street.  A watchman has no powers of arrest, search or detention and must wear an approved uniform.  For more information, see www.Mo.gov , Missouri Code of State Regulations,  17 CSR 20-4.015.

Courier –  A person employed to carry out the assignment of protecting/transporting property from one designated area to another. A courier must wear an approved military style uniform. A courier has no powers of arrest, search or detention. If qualified, a courier may carry a firearm.  For more information, see www.Mo.gov , Missouri Code of State Regulations, 17 CSR 20-3.015.

Security Officer – A person employed with certain police powers to protect life or property on or in designated premises. A security officer’s powers exist only within the established property owned or leased by the contracting employer and to incidents occurring on the premises.  If qualified, a security officer may carry a firearm and certain protective devices.  For more information, see www.Mo.gov , Missouri Code of State Regulations, 17 CSR 20-2.015.

Corporate Security Advisor - A person employed to provide all services rendered by a private security officer, as well as other specialized corporate security services related to the protection of his/her employer’s resources and personnel.  A corporate security advisor has the same arrest powers as a private security officer while on his employer’s property, however those powers are not restricted to that property but shall be co-extensive with the geographic limits of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County while actively engaged in the employer’s business.  For more information, see www.Mo.gov Missouri Code of State Regulations, 17 CSR 20-5.015.

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Security

What must I bring with me when I come to the Private Security Section to apply for a license?
You must have a color photo ID (valid driver’s license or state-issued ID card), a dated letter from your intended employer (no more than ten days old), and a company check, cash or money order for the amount of the transaction.  Persons currently in the armed forces or those who have been in the armed forces, will be required to bring their active duty ID card or a copy of their DD 214 showing the status of their discharge.

What type of background check is conducted when I apply for a license?
A complete background check is conducted using your name, date of birth and fingerprints. Information obtained from local police agencies, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI will be used to determine license eligibility. A felony conviction will automatically disqualify anyone from obtaining a license.

Must I carry a security identification card while working?
YES.  The badge/identification card issued by the Private Security Section must be worn conspicuously if working in uniform or carried on the person if working in a uniform- exempt capacity. A metallic company badge may be worn but the word “police” must not be displayed anywhere on the uniform.

As a security officer, may I make an arrest?
Security officers have the power to arrest and detain in incidents occurring on company property. These powers are in effect only while on duty and on the premises you are paid to protect.

Do all security officers wear a uniform?
NO. As determined by the employer, some security officers are licensed in a uniform-exempt capacity and are not required to wear a uniform.

How many licenses may one person hold?
A person may hold a license for any number of employers as long as a letter from each employer requests it and the proper fees are paid. A separate license is issued for each company.  When licensed and working for any given company, the appropriate license/ID card must be displayed on the uniform.

How long is a license valid?
Licensed security personnel are issued a badge/identification card which must be carried/displayed while security duties are being performed. A license is good for one year and it must be renewed annually.  Various fees for licensing transactions are listed below.

May I work on an expired license?
NO.  Working on an expired license or no license subjects you to arrest and booking. Companies or agencies that knowingly employ someone without a license subjects them to a fine and/or liability in a civil action.

What are the requirements if I want to open my own contract security business?
Generally, St. Louis City ordinance requires that persons wanting to establish their own security contract business have a minimum of three years experience in the security field, either as a licensed officer or supervisor/manager.  Requirements for establishing a company can be found in a link at the end of this section.

May I hold a security license and a private investigator license at the same time?
NO. You may hold one license or the other, but not both. After September 1, 2009, all licenses for private investigators will be issued by the State of Missouri.

General Guidelines For Opening A Security Agency

1. The Board of Police Commissioners limits new agencies to persons who have served two (2) years in the security field, either as a private security officer or police officer, or in some other appropriate professional business or government field.

2. The firm should be registered with the Office of Secretary of State.  Offices are located in the Wainwright Building in St. Louis.  A copy of the papers issued by the Office of Secretary of State shall be made available for the files of the Private Security Section.  These papers should include a listing of names of corporate officers to include their current mailing addresses.  Each person listed as a corporate officer must submit to a fingerprint check conducted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. 

3. Persons seeking to operate a security agency who are unknown to members of the        Private Security Section may be required to provide identification, to include names, pedigrees, social security numbers, proof of honorable military service, etc. Fingerprint checks will be conducted on all officers of the company listed on the Missouri Secretary of State registration form.  A fingerprinting fee of $44.00 will be collected from each person requesting a fingerprint check.  This fee may be paid in cash or by money order.

4. New agency operators shall have an indication from the owners of three (3) legitimate businesses, on the firms’ letterheads, that if granted a license to operate in the City of St. Louis, the respective firms will consider hiring the agency to provide security on their premises.  Each company letterhead should include the address and telephone number of the respective business.  Firms that presently are operational in other areas of the state, or in other states, to provide security service, shall provide a request on company letterhead to the Private Security Section before being granted a letter for presentation to the License Collector’s Office.

5. New agency operators, when applying for a license, shall present a color photo of the uniform to be used by the security agency and a company shoulder patch, subject to approval by the Private Security Section.  A company shoulder patch will be mandatory on all shirts, coats and jackets worn by on-duty security personnel.  Current rules prohibit the use of the word “POLICE” on patches or uniforms.

6. Those applying to operate a security agency will furnish their federal and state employer identification numbers to the Private Security Section.

7. Once this information has been compiled, it may be sent/delivered to the Private Security Section where it will be reviewed in a timely manner.  After reviewing this material and after the fingerprint inquiries have been returned and reviewed, the Private Security Section will notify the owner/agent of the company of the outcome of the investigation and provide any additional instructions as necessary.

8. Individuals who meet these criteria will be provided a letter of introduction from the Private Security Section to the License Collector’s Office, Room 104, City Hall.  This letter will authorize the company to obtain a St. Louis business license, which allows the firm to hire private security officers, couriers and private  watchmen.

9. Once a business license has been issued by the License Collector’s Office, a copy of the license will be forwarded to the Private Security Section for its files and at that time the company will be placed on active status.