Certification: who needs it, qualifying, renewal 20
Can a person with no security employer apply for certification alone?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(a)(2)
For how long are Livescan fingerprints valid for a certification application?Maryland State Police, Security Guard Certification page
For how long is a security guard certification renewed?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(d)
How long before a certification expires must the renewal application be submitted?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(c)
How many hours of approved initial security training must an applicant complete?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(a)(4)(v)
How soon after denying an application must the Secretary send written notice to the agency that submitted it?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-403(b)
What is the minimum age for certification as a security guard?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(a)(6)
What is the most that late fees for a renewal may total?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(e)(2)
What is the nonrefundable application fee for security guard certification?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(a)(4)(iii)
What is the renewal fee for a security guard certification?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(d)(2)
What late fee does the Secretary assess for a late renewal application?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(e)(1)
Show all 76 questions (65 more)
Certification: who needs it, qualifying, renewal, continued
What must an applicant declare under the penalties of perjury?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(a)(4)(iv)
When may an agency provide an uncertified individual for hire as a security guard?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-401(b)(1)
Which applicant may not be required to complete the initial training?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402(c)(2)
Which in-house guard is a "security guard" under § 19-101(k)(2)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-101(k)(2)
Which of these is not a "security guard employer" under § 19-101(m)(2)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-101(m)(2)
Which of these must the certification card contain?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-405(b)(3)
Which reason for a late renewal means no late fee may be charged?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(e)(2)
Who certifies security guards in Maryland?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-101(j)
Whose work is not "security guard services" under § 19-101(n)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-101(n)(3)
The 12-hour and 8-hour training 7
How many hours of continuing security training does a renewal require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-404.1(d)(3)
The training must promote appropriate interactions with which group named in § 19-412(b)(5)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-412(b)(5)
What does entrance-level objective SG-4 ask a trainee to identify?Security Guard Entrance Level Training Objectives, SG-4
Where must the list of identified training programs be published?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-412(e)
Which body identifies the training programs for security guard certification?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-412(a)
Which is one of the entrance-level training objectives the Commission approved on January 24, 2024?Security Guard Entrance Level Training Objectives, SG-10
Which subject must the training programs include under § 19-412(b)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-412(b)
On duty: the card, the badge, information 15
How soon after a suspension or revocation must the individual surrender the certification card?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-411
How soon must agency equipment be returned after employment with the agency ends?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-507(b)
On whose request must a certified guard show the certification card?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-406(b)
To whom may a security guard agency divulge information about a criminal offense?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-506(b)
To whom may an agency employee ordinarily divulge information acquired on an assignment?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-506(c)
What badge may a security guard in uniform wear?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-407(a)
What does § 19-606 forbid a guard employed by a licensee to do?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-606
What is "agency equipment" under § 19-507(a)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-507(a)
What may a certified guard not do with the certification card or badge?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-603(b)
What may an individual who is not certified not do under § 19-602(b)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-602(b)
What must a certified guard carry at any time he or she provides a security guard service?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-406(a)
What must a certified guard do on losing the certification card?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-508
When else may the employee divulge that information under § 19-506(d)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-506(d)
Whenever in uniform, what must a security guard clearly display and wear?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-407(b)
Who is responsible for a guard's acts while the guard conducts the agency's business?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-501
Use of force and reporting it 8
How soon must a security guard report a use of force?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(b)(1)
To whom does the security guard make the use of force report?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(b)(1)
What must the agency or employer do after receiving the guard's use of force form?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(c)(1)
When is a guard excused from reporting a use of force within the usual time?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(b)(2)
Which does § 19-414(a)(2) list as included in "use of force"?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(a)(2)
Which is a "use of force" under § 19-414(a)(1)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(a)(1)
Which is not a "use of force" under § 19-414(a)(3)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(a)(3)
Which must the use of force report to the Secretary include?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-414(c)(2)
Discipline and penalties 10
For one violation, whom may the Secretary fine under § 19-607(c)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-607(c)
How long before a disciplinary hearing must written notice be sent to the individual?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-410(d)
How soon must an agency or employer notify the Secretary on learning a guard was arrested for a crime of violence?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-408(c)(1)
What form must a complaint from a member of the public take?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-409(b)
What is the criminal penalty for violating a provision of the Maryland Security Guards Act?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-607(a)
What is the most the Secretary may fine for one violation under § 19-408?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-607(b)
What may the Secretary do to the certification of a guard arrested for such an offense?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-408(c)(2)
What must the Secretary do when a guard has been convicted of a crime of violence?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-408(b)(1)
Which formal finding requires the Secretary to deny or revoke a certification under § 19-408(b)(2)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-408(b)(2)
Who is appointed to investigate a complaint against a certified guard?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-409(c)(1)
Theft, trespass and detention law 16
A person may not remain on private property after being notified not to by whom?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-403(b)
At what value does theft become a felony under Crim. Law § 7-104(g)?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104(g)(1)
Breaking and entering the storehouse of another, with nothing more shown, is what offense under § 6-205?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-205
How may property be posted against trespass under Crim. Law § 6-402(a)(1)?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-402(a)
Malicious destruction of property carries the heavier penalty when the damage is at least what amount?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-301(b)
Under Crim. Law § 3-203(b), assault in the second degree is generally what?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-203(b)
What does Crim. Law § 10-201(c)(1) forbid in a public place?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 10-201(c)(1)
What does Pub. Safety § 3-502(b) forbid?Md. Code, Pub. Safety § 3-502(b)
What is the maximum penalty for a first violation of § 6-402?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-402(b)
What is the maximum penalty for theft of property worth less than $100?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104(g)(3)
What is the maximum penalty for violating Pub. Safety § 3-502?Md. Code, Pub. Safety § 3-502(f)
What kind of entry on private property does § 6-403 prohibit?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-403(d)
What must a merchant's agent have had for the civil immunity in Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-402(a)?Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-402(a)
When a public building is closed, whose request to leave does § 6-409(a) name?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-409(a)
Which claim is among those § 5-402(a) bars against a merchant who had probable cause?Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-402(a)
Which is an element of theft under § 7-104(a)?Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104(a)
How this list was compiled: Annotated Code of Maryland on the General Assembly's site (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/Statutes): Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 19, the Maryland Security Guards Act; Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 5-402; Criminal Law Article §§ 3-203, 6-205, 6-301, 6-402, 6-403, 6-409, 7-104 and 10-201; Public Safety Article § 3-502. Also the Maryland State Police Security Guard Certification page (https://mdsp.maryland.gov/firearms-permits-professional-licenses/professional-licenses/security-guard-certification) and the Security Guard Entrance Level Training Objectives approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission on January 24, 2024 (https://mpctc.dpscs.maryland.gov/forms/pdf/SG_Objectives.pdf). Each was read on October 15, 2026. Each question names its section and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the law, the rules or the agency's own pages. Nothing is taken from any examination, any training provider's course or any other practice test.
How it works
This unofficial Maryland security guard practice test asks 76 of our own questions on the Security Guards Act, the training the State requires and the criminal law around a post. Not affiliated with the Maryland Department of State Police.
Read the full guide
Is there a Maryland security guard test?
No state exam stands between a guard and the certification card. Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 19-402 asks for 12 hours of initial security training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, and each 3-year renewal asks for 8 more (§ 19-404.1). The Act names no test.
What the training covers
Section 19-412(b) lists relevant criminal law, the appropriate use of force, alternatives to force, de-escalation, and interactions with minors, people with disabilities and people in crisis. The Commission's entrance-level objectives follow that list. These questions cover the ones the Code answers.
Carry the certification card whenever you provide a security guard service, and show it to a law enforcement officer on request (§ 19-406).
Any use of force, detention without consent included, goes to your agency or employer within 48 hours on the Secretary's form (§ 19-414).
Apply to renew at least 90 days before the card expires. The late fee is $5 a day, up to $150 (§ 19-404.1).
Questions and answers
Who needs a security guard certification in Maryland?
Guards a licensed agency provides for hire, and guards a security guard employer hires for itself (§ 19-401). Unarmed employees of a bar, tavern or restaurant, marine guards and special police officers are outside the definition (§ 19-101(n)).
How long is a Maryland security guard certification good for?
Three years. Section 19-404.1 renews a certification for a 3-year term on a $10 fee, a fingerprint record check and 8 hours of approved continuing security training.
Can a security guard detain someone in Maryland?
The Act counts detaining a person without consent as a use of force that must be reported (§ 19-414). Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-402 shields a merchant's agent from civil claims where there was probable cause of theft. Exam practice, not legal advice.
Are these the questions from the Maryland 12-hour course?
No. Each was written for this page from the Maryland Code, the State Police certification page or the Commission's published objectives. De-escalation technique and crisis response are taught in class and are not asked here.