Hiring a Security Company in Washington: License & Insurance Rules

By Skagit Safety Services · Reviewed by Bert Markley, Director of Training (30+ years in private security) · Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice — laws change, and your attorney has the final say.

The short version

Make sure the company holds a Washington security company license and has insurance on file with the state.
Every officer must be licensed — or carry a temporary card that lasts up to 60 days.
Security can’t use “police” in its name, markings or badges. Ask the questions at the end before you sign.

1. The company must hold a Washington security company license

Owning or operating a private security company in Washington without a company license is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 18.170.160). To get one, the owner or qualifying agent must meet the guard requirements plus either three years of management experience in private security (or an approved related field) or pass an examination at age 21 or older, and meet the insurance requirements (RCW 18.170.060). Look the company up on the Washington Department of Licensing license lookup.

2. Insurance must be on file with the state

A licensed security company must file and maintain with the Department of Licensing a certificate of insurance showing comprehensive general liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily or personal injury and $25,000 for property damage (RCW 18.170.080). That is the legal minimum — most commercial clients require much higher limits, so ask for a certificate of insurance naming your coverage requirements.

3. Every officer must be licensed — or carry a valid temporary card

Officers need a Washington private security guard license. A licensed company may issue a new hire a temporary registration card only after the employee has completed pre-assignment training and submitted a full license application; it is valid for a maximum of 60 days and does not allow carrying a firearm (RCW 18.170.090). Employing an unlicensed guard without a valid temporary card is a gross misdemeanor for the company’s owner or qualifying agent (RCW 18.170.160).

4. Armed officers need an armed license

An armed private security guard must already be licensed as a guard, be at least 21, and hold a current firearms certificate (RCW 18.170.040). Performing armed duties without an armed license — or knowingly hiring an unlicensed armed guard — is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 18.170.160).

5. Security may not pose as police

Washington makes it a gross misdemeanor for security to use vehicles or equipment marked “police” or “law enforcement officer” or bearing insignia indicating a public law enforcement agency, or for a guard to use a name that includes “police” or “law enforcement” or portrays a public agency (RCW 18.170.160). A company license cannot be issued to a company whose name portrays it as a public law enforcement agency (RCW 18.170.060), and guards may not make statements that would lead someone to believe they are a sworn peace officer (RCW 18.170.170).

Questions to ask before you sign

What is your Washington security company license number?
Can you send a certificate of insurance with our required limits, naming us as additional insured?
Are all officers assigned to us fully licensed, or on temporary cards? How many training hours do they get beyond the state minimum?
Who writes our post orders, and how are new or fill-in officers briefed?
What reports will we get, and how fast?
Who do we call at 3 a.m. — and does a real person answer?

Questions

How do I check if a security company is licensed in Washington?

Use the Washington Department of Licensing professional license lookup and search the company name or license number. Washington requires security companies to hold a company license (RCW 18.170.160).

How much insurance does a security company need in Washington?

The legal minimum filed with DOL is comprehensive general liability of $25,000 for bodily or personal injury and $25,000 for property damage (RCW 18.170.080). Most clients require higher limits.

Can a security guard work before their license arrives?

Only on a valid temporary registration card, issued by a licensed company after the employee completes pre-assignment training and applies. It lasts up to 60 days and does not allow carrying firearms (RCW 18.170.090).

Do in-house security staff need a license?

Not always. The licensing chapter does not apply to someone employed exclusively or regularly by one employer who performs security functions solely for that employer’s affairs, if the employer is not a private security company (RCW 18.170.020).

Hiring a Security Company in Washington: What the Law Requires