Security Guard Services in Panama

How to Become a Licensed Sworn Security Guard in Panama

In Panama, private security agencies and their sworn security guards (vigilantes jurados) are authorized by the Ministry of Public Security through the Institutional Directorate for Public Security Affairs (DIASP). Agencies are approved by ministerial resolution (resuelto ministerial) for specific service categories, and each head of security and sworn security guard must meet nationality, age, fitness and background requirements and pass a proficiency examination.

Regulator: Institutional Directorate for Public Security Affairs (Dirección Institucional en Asuntos de Seguridad Pública, DIASP), Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública). Legal framework: Executive Decree No. 21 of January 31, 1992 (private security agencies) and Executive Decree No. 22 of January 31, 1992 (conditions, rights and duties of sworn security guards, published in Official Gazette No. 21974 of February 14, 1992); Law 57 of 2011, General Law on Firearms, Ammunition and Related Materials. minseg.gob.pa

Requirements for Heads of Security and Sworn Security Guards

• Panamanian nationality
• Age 18 to 50 (up to 55 for former members of the Public Force); applicants for armed private security work must be over 21 years of age
• Physical and mental fitness certified by a physician; a medical certificate showing no infectious or contagious diseases, no drug dependence and no physical limitations that prevent the work
• Good conduct and no criminal record; a police record (récord policivo) is required, and for armed work it must be the police record for carrying weapons
• Primary education
• Not having been dismissed from any government agency or institution for a common crime or serious administrative offense (sworn statement)
• Pass a public proficiency examination at a center designated by the DIASP on the use and maintenance of weapons and the applicable legal framework
• Members of the Public Force may not be directors, shareholders, heads of security or administrators of private security agencies

Steps to Obtain Authorization

1. Complete DIASP forms DIASP/DASP-JSVJ04 and DIASP/DASP-JSVJ04-A
2. Attach an authenticated copy of the identity card (cédula), a medical certificate, three passport-size photographs, the police record, a sworn statement, a primary education certificate, certificates of training in weapons handling and in the legal rules for the position, and a résumé
3. Take the DIASP proficiency examination
4. For armed service, the agency submits form ASEG-PORTE to the DIASP to obtain the guard’s firearm carry permit
5. If the application is denied, a new one cannot be submitted until three months have passed

Agency Authorization

Agencies are authorized by ministerial resolution for specific service categories: A, protection of movable and immovable property; B, protection of fairs, exhibitions, conventions and similar events; C, manufacture, sale and maintenance of security devices and systems, often connected to alarm monitoring centers; D, protection, transport and handling of funds and valuables; E, consulting on and planning of security installations. Agencies that provide services in categories A, B and D must have a Head of Security. The DIASP publishes a national list of authorized agencies with the resolution number, the authorized categories and coverage, and in many recent entries indicates whether the agency is authorized to use firearms.

Armed guards must be over 21 years of age. The agency applies to the DIASP, using form ASEG-PORTE, for a firearm carry permit for each guard under Law 57 of 2011, attaching the current firearm possession certificates and stating the type, caliber, make, serial number and ballistic test of each weapon.

The DIASP firearm carry permit form lists renewal and duplicates as application types; the documents reviewed do not state validity periods.

Sources

• MINSEG: Application for Head of Security and Sworn Security Guard 2023 (Solicitud de Jefe de Seguridad y Vigilante Jurado)
• MINSEG: Security Agencies Carry Permit Application Form (Formulario Solicitud Agencias de Seguridad Porte)
• MINSEG/DIASP: National List of Private Security Agencies (Listado de las Agencias de Seguridad Privada a Nivel Nacional, June 2026)
• Executive Decree 22 of 1992 (Justia Panama catalog entry)

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