Regulatory Authority
Primary Regulator
How Licensing Works in South Dakota
South Dakota maintains a centralized, statewide licensing regime for private investigators and security guards under SDCL Chapter 36-25B. Licensing is administered by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
The statute provides for licensure of private investigator agencies and private investigators. It also provides for licensure of security guard agencies and registration or licensure of individual security guards as defined by statute.
Licensure or registration is required prior to engaging in regulated services. Both business entities and individual licensees are regulated at the state level.
South Dakota does not embed general concealed carry permitting within Chapter 36-25B. Firearms permitting is governed under separate provisions of South Dakota law and is not itself a private security or private investigation license.
Regulation of private investigation and private security services is centralized at the state level.
Licenses Issued by the State
Security Services
- South Dakota Security Guard Agency License
- South Dakota Security Guard License
Private Investigation Services
- South Dakota Private Investigator Agency License
- South Dakota Private Investigator License
Operational Notes for Multi-State Firms
South Dakota regulates private investigation and private security under a unified statutory chapter administered by the Secretary of State.
Businesses and individuals must obtain appropriate licensure prior to performing regulated services.
Firearms permitting is governed under separate statutory provisions and does not substitute for required licensure under SDCL Chapter 36-25B.