Security Guard Services in Bahrain

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Bahrain

Private guarding in Bahrain is governed by Law No. 24 of 2006 on Private Security and Guarding Companies, which is administered by the Ministry of Interior. The licensed company registers candidates with the Guards Training School, and they receive a guard license after passing the qualifying course. Press reports in October 2026 state that a new government bill on private security has been referred to the Council of Representatives; it is still a bill and has not yet been enacted.

Regulator: Ministry of Interior, whose Guards Training School registers and trains guards. bahrain.bh

Guard Requirements

• Bahraini nationality; non-Bahrainis may be employed temporarily under conditions set by ministerial order (Art. 9)
• Age of at least 21 (Art. 9)
• Medical fitness to perform the duties of the job and passing the Ministry’s tests (Art. 9)
• The educational qualification set by ministerial order (Art. 9)
• A certificate of good conduct from the Ministry of Interior, and no conviction for a felony or a crime involving honor or trust unless rehabilitated (Art. 9)
• Completion of the training set by ministerial order; the licensed company bears the cost of training candidates (Art. 9)
• The company must obtain written approval from the Ministry before hiring each guard (Art. 7)
• Foreign guards must hold residence permits, and the Ministry checks with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority that the employing company is the sponsor (government service page)

Steps to Obtain the License

1. Be hired as a candidate by a security company licensed under Law No. 24 of 2006; the company submits the application, not the individual
2. The company’s authorized representative submits the candidate registration application to the Ministry of Interior Guards Training School with a personal photo, a valid certificate of good conduct, proof of the qualification required by law, a copy of the passport with residence permit (for foreigners) or a copy of the ID card (for Bahrainis), and the existing training agreement
3. The Ministry reviews the application details, the company’s authorization of the application and the signatory, the identity of the representative, the sponsorship of foreign guards with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, whether the candidate is registered with another company, and whether the documents are complete
4. Once approved, the course fee (basic or refresher) is paid and a training date is set
5. The candidate attends and passes the qualifying course, and the guard license is then printed

Company Licensing

A license from the Ministry of Interior is required before providing any security service to others (Art. 2). The applicant must be a commercial company established in Bahrain, other than a joint venture (partnership in participation), and branches of foreign companies may be licensed by ministerial order after registration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Art. 3). The application is submitted on the Ministry’s form, and the Ministry decides on it within 90 days of it being complete, giving reasons for any refusal; the license may be limited to a defined geographic area and made subject to conditions (Art. 4). The licensed company must obtain prior approval for surveillance equipment and written approval before hiring guards, notify the Ministry of protected sites within 10 days, keep records, and obtain approval before any merger or change in legal form (Art. 7). The company may not conduct investigations or gather information, and the Minister sets the uniform for its personnel (Art. 8). The Minister may suspend the license for up to six months, including for hiring guards who do not meet the conditions of Art. 9 (Art. 10), and may cancel it for repeated violations or loss of the licensing conditions (Art. 11). Operating without a license is punishable by imprisonment, a fine or both (Art. 15).

A company license is valid for three years and renewable for equal periods, and renewal must be requested at least three months before the license expires (Art. 5). The guard registration service distinguishes between basic and refresher courses, and a fixed validity period for the guard license has not been confirmed.

Sources

• Bahrain Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission: Law No. 24 of 2006 (in Arabic)
• Bahrain National Portal: Security guard candidate registration service (Ministry of Interior Guards Training School)
• News of Bahrain (November 14, 2019): Unlicensed private security guards arrested (cites Law No. 24 of 2006)
• News of Bahrain (October 17, 2026): Draft private security law, security jobs reserved for Bahrainis
• Gulf Daily News (October 15, 2026): Hefty fine, jail proposed for illegal security companies

Requirements may change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.