Whether a person with a felony conviction can work as a security guard depends heavily on the nature of the crime, the time elapsed since the conviction, and the specific regulations of the state where employment is sought. The security industry is highly regulated, with licensing boards maintaining strict standards to ensure public trust and safety. Successfully navigating this environment requires understanding the statutory bars and the discretionary authority held by state agencies.
Initial Screening: Core Disqualifying Offenses
Security regulatory bodies maintain statutory lists of offenses that are nearly always disqualifying for a security guard license. Felonies involving violence, such as assault, murder, or robbery, are considered permanent bars to employment, often regardless of the time elapsed. Crimes demonstrating a lack of trustworthiness or financial malfeasance, including fraud, embezzlement, or grand theft, are also severe disqualifiers because security roles require integrity in protecting client assets and information.
Many jurisdictions employ a “look-back” period for less severe felony convictions, such as non-violent drug offenses or property crimes. This period often ranges from five to ten years, though some states may extend it up to twenty years. If the conviction date or release from incarceration falls outside this window, the person may become eligible to apply for a license. Felonies related to weapons possession or those classified as crimes of moral turpitude are heavily scrutinized and frequently result in denial due to the conflict with a security professional’s duties.
State-Specific Licensing and Background Checks
Security guard licensing is not standardized federally; it is regulated almost entirely by state agencies, such as a Department of Public Safety or a Private Security Bureau. Applicants must submit fingerprints for comprehensive criminal history checks through state and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) databases. This process ensures the licensing board has access to the full scope of a person’s criminal record, even if the conviction occurred in a different state.
Each state board holds the authority to define and evaluate an applicant’s “fitness” or “good moral character,” which involves a subjective review of the conviction details. The board may consider mitigating factors, such as the applicant’s age at the time of the offense and verifiable evidence of rehabilitation. Consequently, a felony conviction denied in one state might be acceptable in another, illustrating the fragmented nature of occupational licensing laws. The state licensing board makes the final determination on granting the license, even if a private security company is willing to hire the individual.
The Critical Difference Between Armed and Unarmed Roles
A legal distinction exists between unarmed security guards and those who carry a firearm while on duty. While unarmed roles are challenging due to state licensing requirements, armed positions face an additional, nearly insurmountable federal restriction. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) prohibits any person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for over one year from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
This federal statute applies to all convicted felons, regardless of whether a state has reinstated their civil rights or granted a security license. Because the prohibition is federal, no state-issued license can override it, making it illegal for a felon to possess a service weapon. Therefore, seeking an armed security guard position is not a viable career path unless the person obtains a legal remedy that fully restores their federal firearm rights. Violation of this law can result in federal penalties, including up to ten years in prison.
Legal Pathways for Restoration of Rights
Individuals with felony convictions pursuing careers in regulated fields like security can attempt to clear statutory bars through formal legal actions that restore civil rights. One pathway is obtaining a Governor’s pardon, an executive act that may forgive the offense and restore certain rights, though pardons are granted infrequently and reserved for older, non-violent convictions. Expungement or sealing of records is another mechanism, which, if successful, can legally remove or limit public access to the conviction record.
Some states offer Certificates of Relief from Disabilities (CRD) or Certificates of Good Conduct, which are judicial or administrative orders recognizing rehabilitation. These certificates do not erase the conviction but often create a legal presumption of fitness for employment or licensing. This shifts the burden onto the licensing board to prove the conviction is directly related to the security role. These remedies are necessary to bypass the “good moral character” clauses and look-back periods used by licensing boards to assess eligibility.
Related Security Jobs That Do Not Require Licensing
For individuals who cannot secure a state-issued security guard license, several security-adjacent roles offer employment alternatives. Many states exempt certain types of security work from mandatory licensing requirements, particularly roles that do not involve patrolling public areas or carrying weapons. These positions rely solely on the company’s internal background check process, which may be more flexible than the regulatory review conducted by a state board.
Examples of these unlicensed roles include in-house loss prevention officers who work exclusively on private company property, provided the state does not require licensing for this duty. Other options are security monitoring positions, such as operating closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras or working as a dispatcher in a security operations center. These jobs focus on observation, reporting, and technical surveillance, minimizing public interaction and physical confrontation, thus reducing the need for occupational licensing.