Security Guard Jobs in Minnesota
Find the right location for your next security role.
Explore security guard and security officer opportunities across Minnesota. Compare the actual employer, responsibilities, schedule, posted compensation, and credential requirements in each available listing.
Security guard jobs and licensing in Minnesota: quick answers
- How do I get a security guard license in Minnesota?
- Minnesota regulates protective-agent businesses and their employees. Applications start with Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services.
- What training does Minnesota require for security guards?
- Minnesota Rule 7506.2300 generally requires twelve hours of preassignment training within the first twenty-one days of employment, subject to the rule's exemptions.
- Where are security guard jobs in Minnesota?
- Guardix Jobs covers 9 cities in Minnesota, including Minneapolis and the capital, Saint Paul.
- Is it free to apply?
- Yes. Guardix Jobs is free for guards and employers, and every employer is reviewed by our team.
About Minnesota
Minnesota is known for:
- Healthcare, including the Mayo Clinic.
- Corporate headquarters in the Twin Cities.
- The Mall of America.
Security guard jobs by city in Minnesota
Choose a city below for local search guidance and the relevant licensing FAQs. Look for unarmed, armed, patrol, access-control, event, overnight, or supervisor roles when employers have those openings available.
Counties with a city page ★ Capital Live jobs. Hover a city to enlarge it; choose it to open.
Live jobs in Minnesota
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Put your experience to work
Create your free Guardix profile, add your resume and availability, and describe your current credentials accurately. Follow the individual employer's application instructions.
Understand the requirements
The starting point for licensing questions is Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Use the FAQs below to distinguish employee, employer, training, and armed-work requirements. Confirm any special worksite conditions before the first shift.
Minnesota licensing and work FAQs
Do I need a license or registration for security work in Minnesota?
Minnesota regulates protective-agent businesses and their employees. Confirm whether the employer and the specific service fall under the Board's protective-agent requirements.
What training should applicants check in Minnesota?
Minnesota Rule 7506.2300 generally requires twelve hours of preassignment training within the first twenty-one days of employment, subject to the rule's exemptions. Continuing training also applies.
What changes if I want an armed security job in Minnesota?
A person performing covered duties may not carry or use a weapon without the required Board-certified training. Confirm firearms and carry requirements for the actual assignment.
Can I apply before my credentials are complete, and when can I start work?
Apply to employers first and ask how the required employee training, screening, and assignment timeline will be handled. Do not interpret a training window as unrestricted armed permission.
Can I use a credential from another state or a previous employer?
Ask the Board and receiving employer how prior experience and training are credited. Do not assume another state's credential replaces Minnesota requirements.
Who checks eligibility, and what should I keep current?
Follow the Board's employee, background, and training rules. Keep completion records and disclose the information required for the covered position.
Which authority should I use, and where do I apply?
The starting authority is Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Use the official links below and confirm the correct employee, individual, or local category. Guardix is a jobs marketplace and does not issue the credential.
What age and role requirements should I check?
Use the current employee or individual-category requirements from Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Business-owner, employee, armed, and special-appointment age conditions can differ; confirm the category before paying for training.
Can I apply with no previous security experience?
Look for Minnesota listings that explicitly welcome entry-level applicants or describe training support. An employer may consider new candidates, but all legal eligibility, training, screening, and lawful-start conditions still apply.
Do I need a high-school diploma or GED?
Read the individual role and current Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services requirements. A job may specify a diploma, equivalent education, or relevant skills; agency-owner qualifications should not be treated as the requirements for every employee opening.
Can a criminal record affect my eligibility?
Yes. Review the official Minnesota rules for the exact category. Some histories are disqualifying by law; other situations may require review. Provide accurate requested information through a secure process. Guardix cannot determine individual eligibility.
Will I need fingerprints or a background check?
The licensed employer must complete the employee screening and records required by the state framework. Confirm whether fingerprints are required for your actual role and any firearms or facility authorization; do not confuse an employer check with an unrelated agency-owner application.
What documents should I prepare?
Use the current Minnesota application or employer checklist. Common categories include identity, training proof, credential status, work or employer information, and any required background or firearms documents. Provide sensitive records only through the appropriate secure channel.
How much does licensing or registration cost?
For an employee job, distinguish the Minnesota company-license fee from any legitimate employee training, screening, equipment, firearms, or local cost. Ask the employer which costs apply and who pays. Free marketplace access is separate from third-party charges.
Does the employer pay for my training or license?
Ask before accepting or paying. Get clear information about employer-paid costs, reimbursement, any lawful deductions, and any repayment terms. Fee responsibility is separate from whether a credential or course is legally required.
Can I complete the required training online?
Only use a provider, course, and delivery format accepted for the relevant Minnesota category. Confirm whether practical, range, examination, or supervised components must be completed separately. A course advertisement is not regulatory approval.
How long does approval take?
For an employee role, ask the licensed Minnesota employer about its screening, records, and lawful assignment timeline. Any separate firearms, local, or facility approval has its own process. Do not use the agency-owner license processing estimate as the employee start date.
Do I need an employer before applying for the credential?
For an employee job, apply to the appropriately licensed Minnesota employer and ask how it handles employee qualifications, screening, and records. A separate application to operate your own security business is not the normal entry-level employment route. Confirm any individual firearms or local authorization.
Can I work for more than one security company?
Possibly, but each employer and credential must meet the applicable Minnesota rules. Check employer-linked registrations, IDs, roster updates, and firearms authorization before working for an additional company.
What happens when my credential expires or needs renewal?
Check the employer's continuing employee-record, screening, and any local or firearms obligations. There may not be an individual statewide guard-card renewal for your role; do not pay for an invented renewal service.
Can I move from unarmed to armed security?
Check the current Minnesota armed route. Additional application, training, firearms qualification, eligibility, and employer conditions may apply. Continue only the duties your current authority permits while the new category is being reviewed.
What proof of authorization should I carry on duty?
Use the on-duty proof required by Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services and follow your employer's instructions. A training certificate, old card, or screenshot of an unapproved application should not be assumed to satisfy an issued-credential requirement.
Does my personal gun permit qualify me for armed guard work?
Do not assume that it does. Personal possession or carry authority and authorization to perform armed security services are different questions. Check the exact licensing category, firearms requirements, facility restrictions, and employer authorization.
Can I carry handcuffs, pepper spray, a baton, or another device?
Check Minnesota law, the applicable licensing category, required equipment training, and employer policy. An unarmed job title or ordinary guard credential is not blanket permission to carry batons, sprays, electronic devices, handcuffs, or firearms.
Does a guard credential give me police or arrest powers?
It does not grant blanket police powers. Any detention, arrest, search, or use of force depends on the actual law, role, and circumstances. Special appointments have their own limits. Follow lawful training and post orders, and involve the appropriate authorities when needed.
Are school, hospital, airport, maritime, and government jobs different?
They can be. A facility may impose extra screening, orientation, access credentials, or a different legal appointment. An ordinary private guard credential does not automatically establish a police, federal, transport-screening, or other specialized role.
Can a person who is not a U.S. citizen apply?
Check both federal employment authorization and the exact Minnesota credential requirements. Citizenship, residency, firearms eligibility, and work authorization are different issues. Do not assume every job is citizen-only or that one immigration document meets every licensing category.
Can I take my own clients or work as an independent contractor?
An individual employee credential does not automatically authorize operating a security business. Check any company-license, insurance, supervision, and local requirements before offering services. Calling a role independent or using a 1099 label does not remove licensing duties.
Who decides the uniform, badge, and equipment I can use?
Check the applicable Minnesota rules and the employer's lawful post instructions. Do not use an insignia or title that falsely represents a police or government appointment. Confirm required protective equipment and who supplies it.
Do I need a driver's license or my own vehicle?
Read the job's actual driving duties. Mobile patrol may require a valid license, acceptable driving record, and employer authorization. A fixed post may have different requirements. Ask whether a vehicle is supplied and how work travel is handled.
General career information. Confirm current licensing and work requirements with the relevant authority and hiring employer. Guardix does not issue security licenses or guarantee an applicant's eligibility.