Security Guard Services in Texas
What Texas law requires, what officers earn, and how to find a qualified provider for your site.
Security guard services in Texas at a glance
In Texas, security officers and security companies are licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Program, and applications are filed through the Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) system. Every security officer must complete the Level II training course and test. Armed officers, called commissioned security officers, also need the Level III course of at least 45 hours, a firearms test, and a declaration of psychological and emotional health. Texas officer wages are below the national median, which keeps bill rates lower than in states such as California or New York.
Key facts
- Every Texas security officer must complete the Level II training course and test before applying for a license through DPS.
- Armed (commissioned) security officers also need the Level III course of at least 45 hours, which includes a firearms test.
- New individual licenses are valid for two years; commissioned officers must submit a firearms proficiency certificate at renewal.
- The median wage for security guards in Texas was $17.30 an hour in May 2025, compared with a national median of $18.28.
Texas security licensing
| License | Who needs it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Non-commissioned security officer (Level II) | Every unarmed security officer | Level II training course and test, usually completed in about six hours |
| Commissioned security officer (Level III) | Armed security officers | Level II plus a Level III course of at least 45 hours, a firearms test, and a declaration of psychological and emotional health |
| Personal protection officer (Level IV) | Officers who provide personal protection | Level II and Level III plus a Level IV course of at least 15 hours |
| Guard company license | Companies that provide security officers | The company must be licensed by DPS, and officers must work for a licensed company |
How to check a provider in Texas
Look up the company and its officers in the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program records, using the exact legal name or license number, and confirm that the licenses are current. Licenses are issued for a limited period, so check them again before the first shift. For armed posts, ask for proof that each commissioned officer's firearms proficiency is current.
What security guards cost in Texas
Texas wages are below the national median. At the May 2025 median of $17.30 an hour, officer wages alone come to about $3,000 a month for a 40-hour-a-week post and about $12,590 a month for a 24/7 post, before payroll taxes, insurance, supervision, and the provider's margin. Our security guard cost guide explains how the bill rate is built, and the cost calculator gives a Texas estimate.
Where Texas sites need security
| Industry | Typical needs |
|---|---|
| Energy and petrochemical plants | Perimeter patrols, gate control, contractor access during turnarounds, and metal theft prevention |
| Ports, warehouses, and logistics | Gate control, yard patrols, and cargo theft prevention around Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, and the border crossings |
| Construction | Site security, fire watch, and protection of materials in fast-growing metro areas |
| Healthcare | Emergency department coverage and workplace violence prevention |
| Retail, hotels, and events | Loss prevention, guest safety, and crowd management |
| Offices and commercial property | Lobby coverage and after-hours access control |
Heat and storms
Texas weather affects security planning. Outdoor posts and patrols need water, shade, and rest during long, hot summers, and Gulf Coast sites should agree in advance on what officers do before, during, and after a hurricane or severe storm: who stays, who leaves, how the site is secured, and how officers stay in contact.
Security guard services in Texas cities
How we recommend a Texas provider
We recommend security companies that hold a current Texas license, carry insurance we confirm with their agent, provide references, have experience with sites like yours, can staff your Texas location, and use Digital Guard Tour patrol verification. These checks reflect the date we made them, so confirm the license and insurance again before you sign.
Proof of service on large Texas sites
On a refinery perimeter, a logistics yard, or a construction site, nobody can see every area at once. Records show what was checked.
The security companies we recommend use Digital Guard Tour, patrol-verification software published by Trinity Guard LLC. Officers scan QR checkpoints on a smartphone and record incidents as they happen, so every round and every report has a time stamp. At gates, officers can also record trucks and vehicles entering and leaving, and every shift ends with a percentage score in the admin dashboard and in the emailed shift report.
Confirm the provider and the terms
This website does not employ guards and has no office in Texas. Any agreement is between you and the company you select. Confirm qualifications, staffing, insurance, and terms directly; see our referral disclosure.
Texas security guard questions
Do security guards need a license in Texas?
Yes. Security officers and security companies are licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program. Every officer must complete the Level II training course and test, and the company must hold a DPS license.
What is the difference between a non-commissioned and a commissioned security officer in Texas?
A non-commissioned officer is unarmed and needs Level II training. A commissioned officer is armed and also needs the Level III course of at least 45 hours, a firearms test, and a declaration of psychological and emotional health.
How much does a security guard cost in Texas?
The median wage for security guards in Texas was $17.30 an hour in May 2025, below the national median. The bill rate you pay is higher because it includes payroll taxes, insurance, supervision, and the provider's margin. Use the cost calculator for a Texas estimate.
How do I check a security company's license in Texas?
Look up the company and its officers in the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program records by exact legal name or license number, and confirm the licenses are current before the first shift.
How long is a Texas security officer license valid?
New individual licenses are issued for two years. Commissioned officers must submit a firearms proficiency certificate when they renew.
Should Texas sites plan security for hurricanes and severe storms?
Yes, especially on the Gulf Coast. Agree in advance on who stays on site, how the site is secured, how officers stay in contact, and what happens after the storm passes.
Related pages
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