Get a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency License

Steps to become a licensed Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency.

Requirements

  • Be 25 years old 
  • Be a principal in the business entity
  • Pass the Watch, Guard or Patrol examination within the two years immediately prior to application date
  • Have either 2 years’ experience or 2 years' equivalent position and experience
  • Proof of Fingerprint completion
  • Proof of a $10,000 surety bond
  • If employing Security Guards, evidence of liability insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate and a statement that the coverage includes false arrest or false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander and violation of the right to privacy.

Fees

There are fees associated with a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency license. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.

  • $300 - Initial Application
  • $300 - Branch Office Application
  • $300 - Renewal

 

Corporate or Business:

  • $400 - Initial Application
  • $400 - Branch Office Application
  • $400 – Renewal
  • $15 – Written exam
  • $88.50 - Fingerprinting Fee, Support Staff/Employee Statement
    (payable to IDEMIA)
  • $150 - Change of Business Name or Status
  • $25 – Employment Status Notification
  • $10 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (no fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
  • $10 - Duplicate License/Registration Request

Written Exam

Apply

To apply for a Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

Security Guard Employer Guidance

FAQs

Contact Contact the Division of Licensing Services

Have a question regarding your license? First, see if your questions are answered in the FAQs above. Otherwise, contact us here!


Mailing Information: 
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services 
PO Box 22001 
Albany NY 12201-2001 

Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building. 

Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services 
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor 
Albany, NY 12231

Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429 
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569 

Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.

Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1

For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services

Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures. 

Albany: 
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services 
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor 
Albany, NY 12231 

Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:15pm 

Albany Parking 
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots, please visit their website.   

 

New York City: 
NYS Department of State 
Division of Licensing Services 
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804

Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm  

Binghamton: 
NYS Department of State 
Division of Licensing Services 
State Office Building 
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506 
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455 
(518) 474-4429 
Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm & 12:45pm - 4:00pm


Buffalo: 
NYS Department of State 
Division of Licensing Services 
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821 
Buffalo, NY 14203 
(518) 474-4429

Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm & 12:45pm - 4:00pm

Hauppauge: 
NYS Department of State 
Division of Licensing Services 
State Office Building 
250 Veterans Memorial Highway 
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519 
(518) 474-4429
Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm & 12:45pm - 4:00pm


Utica: 

NYS Department of State 
Division of Licensing Services 
State Office Building 
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812 

Customer Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00pm & 12:45pm-4:00pm