Security Guard Services in Georgia

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Georgia

In Georgia, private security activity is a licensed activity under the Law of Georgia “On Private Security Activities” (No. 536, 21 November 2008). Companies need a license, and each security officer must be employed by a licensed security organization and hold a security officer certificate, which is valid for no more than one year.

Regulator: LEPL Public Safety Management Center “112”, within the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia 112.gov.ge

Requirements for Security Officers

• Minimum age of 18 and full legal capacity (Article 2)
• Employment under an employment contract with a licensed security organization (Article 2)
• A security officer certificate issued by the regulator (Articles 2 and 19)
• No conviction for an intentional crime (Article 20)
• No alcoholism, drug addiction or substance dependence, and no chronic or mental illness that would prevent performance of the work; before issuing the certificate, the regulator checks the unified information database (Articles 19 and 20)
• No court order prohibiting work in this field (Article 20)
• The person must not be a public servant, unless another law provides otherwise (Article 20)
• According to information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, no connection with a terrorist organization, an illegal armed group or a criminal group (Article 20)
• While on duty, the officer must carry the security officer certificate and, when carrying a weapon, also the permit to store or carry the weapon (Article 21)

Application Steps

1. Obtain employment under an employment contract with a licensed private security organization
2. Apply to the regulator (Public Safety Management Center “112”) for a security officer certificate
3. The regulator checks the unified information database and the other eligibility conditions
4. Pay the certificate fee (no more than 20 lari; the exact amount is set by the Minister of Internal Affairs)
5. Receive the security officer certificate, which is valid for no more than one year

Agency Licensing

Security activity may be carried out only by a commercial legal entity established under the laws of Georgia that holds a license. The license is issued by the Public Safety Management Center “112” and is valid indefinitely. The applicant submits: a charter listing security activity as its main activity; the identity document, criminal record certificate and health certificate of the director; the identity or registration documents and criminal record certificates of the founders (documents issued by foreign authorities must be legalized or certified with an apostille); information on finances, property and equipment; a bank guarantee of at least 200,000 lari to cover possible damage to clients; samples of the uniform; certificates showing no tax debt and no seizure of the company’s property; and the license fee (Article 5). Notification of the protection of a specific site, event or person is submitted electronically through the “112” portal, and notifications are submitted to the regulator at the end of each month (Articles 2 and 9).

Security officers may use gas weapons, bladed weapons and electroshock devices (Article 2). Special equipment includes handcuffs, rubber batons, tear gas and service dogs (Article 22). These weapons may be stored, carried and used only while performing official duties, in the cases set out in Article 23, for example to protect against a real threat to life or health or to repel an attack on a protected site. Before use, a verbal warning is required and, where necessary, a warning shot, except in urgent cases defined by law. Any use must be reported immediately to the officer’s direct supervisor (Article 23).

A company license is indefinite, but it is revoked if the organization does not carry out security activity within one year of receiving the license, or if it is fined five times within one calendar year and does not correct the violation (Article 8). The security officer certificate is valid for no more than one year and must be reissued.

Sources

• Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne): Law of Georgia “On Private Security Activities”, consolidated version of 09/12/2025 (in Georgian)
• Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne): “On Private Security Activities”, English text (original version)

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