Security Guard Services in Latvia

How to Become a Certified Security Guard in Latvia

In Latvia, security activities are regulated by the Security Activities Law of 2014. Every security officer needs a security certificate issued by the State Police, which is valid for five years.

Regulator: The State Police (Valsts policija) issues security certificates, registers security companies and supervises security activities. Legal framework: Security Activities Law (Apsardzes darbības likums, adopted 13 February 2014) and Cabinet Regulation No. 380 of 27 June 2017 “Procedures for Issuing Security Certificates” (Apsardzes sertifikātu izsniegšanas kārtība), as amended by Regulation No. 103 of 20 February 2024. vp.gov.lv

Requirements for Security Officers

• Minimum age of 18 (Section 15 of the Law)
• A certificate is not issued to persons convicted of an intentional criminal offense (or an offense committed under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances) until the conviction is expunged; to persons currently charged with such an offense; to persons conditionally released from criminal liability, during the probation period; or to persons released from punishment or criminal liability within the past year (Section 15 of the Law)
• A certificate is not issued to persons who have received certain administrative penalties within the past year, including for violations involving alcohol or narcotic substances, petty hooliganism or failure to obey the police, or whose certificate was revoked within the past year (Section 15 of the Law)
• The required knowledge of the Latvian language (Section 15 of the Law)
• No medical contraindications (Section 15 of the Law); the applicant submits an opinion from a psychiatrist and a narcologist (Paragraph 24 of Regulation No. 380)
• Education: an 84-hour basic security training program (open to persons with at least basic education) or specified vocational or higher education in the security field (Regulation No. 380)
• A first aid certificate for a 12-hour course with a 3-hour test, or a medical education document (Paragraph 24 of Regulation No. 380)
• State Police examination: computer-based, 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, with no more than 4 incorrect or unanswered questions allowed. Holders of specified vocational or higher security education are exempt from the examination (Paragraphs 5 and 17 of Regulation No. 380)
• No citizenship requirement was found in the Law; for foreign nationals, the employer records the work permit number on the work ID card (Section 10 of the Law)

How to Obtain a Security Certificate

1. Complete a recognized security training program (the 84-hour basic program or a specified vocational qualification)
2. Complete first aid training and obtain an opinion from a psychiatrist and a narcologist
3. Register with the State Police to take the examination and pay the examination fee of 40 euros (the result is valid for 12 months)
4. Pass the computer-based examination
5. Submit an application for the certificate to the State Police with a photograph, the medical opinion, the first aid certificate and the education document, and pay the issuance fee of 20 euros

Registration of Security Companies

A security company may begin security activities only after it is entered in the State Police register (Section 6 of the Law). Registration requires a certificate holder who acts as the organizer of security activities (Section 7 of the Law). The Law in force provides for registration rather than a separate license. Security activities are supervised by the State Police (Section 2 of the Law). A company needs a State Police permit to acquire and store firearms (Section 10 of the Law).

Security companies and organizations with a registered internal security service may acquire and store firearms and special equipment with a State Police permit in accordance with the Weapons Circulation Law (Sections 10 and 13 of the Law). An officer may use a personal firearm in security work only if it is registered for self-defense, a carry permit has been issued and the employer allows it (Section 21 of the Law). An officer who is not in uniform may not carry a weapon openly (Section 4 of the Law). A firearm may be used only as a last resort in the cases set out in the Law (Section 22 of the Law). The intention to use it is normally signaled with a warning shot, except, for example, in cases of a sudden attack, and every use must be reported immediately to the State Police and the officer’s direct supervisor (Section 23 of the Law).

The certificate is valid for five years (Section 14 of the Law). An extension must be requested no earlier than three months and no later than one month before the expiry date; the fee is 20 euros. To extend the certificate without an examination, the holder must complete 80 hours of specified training during the validity period or obtain one of the specified qualifications. Otherwise, the examination must be taken again. If the deadline is missed, the State Police refuses the extension and a new application must be submitted (Regulation No. 380).

Sources

• Security Activities Law (Apsardzes darbības likums), likumi.lv
• Cabinet Regulation No. 380 on the procedures for issuing security certificates (Apsardzes sertifikātu izsniegšanas kārtība), likumi.lv
• Official website of the State Police (Valsts policija), with security worker and register sections

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