Key Points
- A security guard in Wisconsin is a licensed private security professional hired to protect people, property, and assets, and the state's median annual salary of $43,000 per year ranks above the national average.
- Wisconsin does not mandate a minimum number of training hours for unarmed guards; training is employer-provided and varies by company, site assignment, and role type.
- To obtain a Private Security Permit from the DSPS, you must be sponsored by a licensed security or detective agency, which submits your application and assumes regulatory responsibility for your conduct.
- Security guard training programs in Wisconsin range from short online courses in state security law and emergency response to certificates in security management and corporate protection, depending on employer requirements.
- Wisconsin Private Security Permits expire on August 31 of each even-numbered year, and armed guards must separately complete 36 hours of DSPS-certified firearms training and obtain a Firearms Permit before carrying a weapon on duty.
How to Become a Security Guard in Wisconsin
Step 1: Meet Wisconsin's Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before a Wisconsin security agency can sponsor your DSPS application, you must clear a Wisconsin Department of Justice background check and a separate federal FBI check. Both are initiated through Fieldprint Wisconsin, the state's approved fingerprinting vendor. Eligibility is not self-certified, it is verified through the DOJ's criminal records system before a permit can issue.
You must be at least 18 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States, and free of felony convictions in any state. Under Wisconsin Statutes §§ 440.26(2)(c)2 and 440.26(5m)(a)2, any applicant convicted of a felony who has not received a formal pardon will be denied with no exceptions.
Misdemeanor convictions are reviewed individually. If DSPS determines the offense is substantially related to private security practice, the application may be denied or held pending a full review of court records and compliance documentation submitted by the applicant.
Find security guard programs in Wisconsin at Dreambound and start comparing your training options.
Step 2: Get Hired by a Licensed Security Agency
Wisconsin's permit process is employer-driven. You cannot apply for a Private Security Permit independently — a licensed private detective or security agency must sponsor your application, register you as an employee with DSPS, and assume regulatory responsibility for your conduct under Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Dreambound is a free platform that helps students compare accredited training programs across the United States. While DSPS does not require pre-employment training for unarmed guards, many Wisconsin employers prefer candidates who have completed coursework in security law, emergency response, or conflict de-escalation before the hiring interview. Getting ahead of that expectation before you apply to agencies puts you in a stronger position at the hiring stage.
Step 3: Apply for Your Private Security Permit Through DSPS
Once your sponsoring agency confirms employment, you submit your application through the DSPS LicensE portal at license.wi.gov. Your agency must also complete and upload Form 3038, the Addendum to License Application for Security Professions, before your submission is considered complete.
All applicants must submit fingerprints electronically through Fieldprint Wisconsin. Fingerprinting requires advance scheduling, carries a separate fee, and requires two forms of identification at the appointment. This step initiates both the Wisconsin DOJ state check and the federal FBI criminal records check that determine permit eligibility.
Step 4: Pass the Background Check and Receive Your Permit
If your Wisconsin DOJ check clears first, DSPS may issue a temporary permit authorizing unarmed work for up to 30 days while the FBI check is still pending. Temporary permits cannot be renewed, and you may not carry a firearm under one.
Once both checks are satisfied and all documentation is in order, DSPS issues your regular Private Security Permit. Processing time varies with application volume, and your sponsoring agency can provide a realistic estimate based on current conditions.
Step 5: Renew Your Permit and Build on Your Credential
Wisconsin Private Security Permits expire on August 31 of each even-numbered year. DSPS notifies permit holders before the renewal window opens, but timely renewal is your responsibility. Working past the expiration date is a licensing violation under Wisconsin law.
Armed guards face a more rigorous path. Before carrying a firearm on duty, you must complete 36 hours of initial training through a DSPS-certified instructor and obtain a separate Firearms Permit from the department. That permit is agency-specific therefore changing employers requires a new one.
Candidates with prior law enforcement or military firearms authorization in another jurisdiction within the past five years may qualify for a partial waiver of the 36-hour requirement, subject to DSPS review. Annual refresher training is required to maintain firearms certification.
Security Guard Salary and Job Outlook in Wisconsin
Wisconsin security guards earn a median salary of $43,000 per year, based on May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. That figure sits about $4,600 above the national median of $38,370.
Wages vary by sector. Guards working in educational services and healthcare settings tend to earn above $44,000 nationally, while positions in retail and food service track closer to the lower range.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, security guard employment is projected to see little or no change nationally from 2024 to 2034. The more relevant figure for candidates entering the field is the approximately 162,300 job openings projected per year on average over that decade. Most of those openings stem from replacement demand which sustains a consistent flow of available positions regardless of net employment growth.
Employers hiring security guards in Wisconsin include large national contractors such as Allied Universal, Securitas, and GardaWorld, as well as hospitals, university systems, state government facilities, and corporate campuses with in-house security teams. Milwaukee and Madison represent the two largest concentrations of security employment in the state, with Green Bay also home to a steady volume of openings across healthcare, gaming, and event venues.
Browse security guard training options at Dreambound and find programs that fit your schedule and budget.
Paying for Your Security Guard Training
Because Wisconsin does not require unarmed guards to complete pre-employment training, the out-of-pocket cost to enter the field is lower than in states with mandatory training minimums. Primary licensing costs are the DSPS application and credential fees and the Fieldprint fingerprinting charge. Verify current amounts directly on the DSPS website, as these are subject to change.
If you choose to pursue voluntary training before applying programs range from short online courses in state security law and emergency response to certificates in security management and corporate protection. Several aid options are worth reviewing:
- Eligible workers who meet income and employment criteria may qualify for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding, distributed through Wisconsin's local American Job Centers for training in workforce-priority occupations.
- Employer Tuition Assistance: Many security agencies cover training costs for new hires, particularly for candidates pursuing armed guard credentials or supervisor-track roles.
- Veterans' Benefits (GI Bill): Eligible veterans may apply GI Bill benefits toward accredited security or criminal justice programs.
- Payment Plans: Many online training providers offer installment options that spread program costs over several months.
For a broader look at funding resources available to Wisconsin students, Dreambound's guide to government funding for education outlines additional options by program type.
