Arizona Private Security and Private Investigation Licensing Guide

Arizona regulates security guard services and private investigation services through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). Although both are administered by the same DPS licensing unit, they are governed by separate statutory chapters within Title 32.

For both security guard services and private investigation, Arizona uses a paired structure: (1) an **agency license** for the company conducting regulated business, and (2) **individual registration certificates** for personnel performing regulated services. State law generally prohibits individuals from acting as security guards or private investigators unless they are properly registered and acting within the scope of employment for a licensed agency.

This model matters operationally. Firms should treat Arizona as an agency-centered licensing regime where individual authority to perform regulated services depends on both the individual’s registration status and the agency’s active license.

Arizona generally requires an active agency license plus individual registrations for personnel performing guard or investigative services. Firms entering Arizona should ensure the correct agency license is in place first, then maintain individual registrations for all personnel assigned to regulated work, including armed status where applicable.