Security Guard Services in Romania

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Romania

Private security in Romania is regulated by Law No. 333/2003 and by the methodological norms approved by Government Decision No. 301/2012. Specialized companies need a license from the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, and security guards need a professional certificate issued by the police after a qualification course and an exam.

Competent authority: Inspectoratul General al Poliției Române (General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, IGPR) politiaromana.ro

Requirements for Individuals

• Romanian citizen or citizen of an EU or EEA member state (Law 333/2003, Art. 36)
• At least 18 years old (Art. 36)
• Medically fit for the role (Art. 36)
• No criminal record for intentional offenses; employment is based on the certificate and the criminal record certificate (Arts. 36 and 37)
• Professional certificate issued by the county police inspectorate or the Bucharest Police after the basic qualification course and passing the exam (Art. 38)
• The basic occupation is security guard, obtained by completing the basic qualification course and passing the exam (Norms, Art. 44)
• For EU or EEA citizens, the employer verifies knowledge of Romanian through an interview and a written test (Norms, Art. 42)
• Specialization courses exist for access control, site security, bodyguard work, response and cash-in-transit, open only to graduates of the basic course (Norms, Art. 45)
• An employer may hire a first-time employee who meets the other conditions for up to 3 months, until the certificate is obtained (Art. 37(3))

Application Steps

1. Complete the basic security guard qualification course with an authorized training provider
2. Pass the qualification exam; police officers sit on the examination boards (Norms, Art. 44)
3. Obtain the certificate from the county police inspectorate or the Bucharest Police
4. Obtain the criminal record certificate and proof of medical fitness
5. Take employment with a licensed specialized company or an in-house guard service, on the basis of the certificate and the criminal record certificate

Agency Licensing

Specialized companies operate under a license issued by the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, with the prior approval of the Romanian Intelligence Service (Serviciul Român de Informații), for at least one activity (Art. 19). The application includes the rules of organization and operation, the list of equipment, including weapons and alarm systems, proof of registration of the name and insignia with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM), notification to the county council or the General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest, proof of payment of the fee and the staff certificates. The company’s manager needs police approval and must be at least 21 years old (Art. 19). Withdrawal of the Romanian Intelligence Service’s approval may be grounds for revoking the license.

Depending on the importance of the guarded site and with the approval of the police or gendarmerie, guards may be equipped with firearms, and weapons are issued only after the guarding plan has been approved (Art. 43). Weapons and ammunition are rented at cost from the competent police or gendarmerie unit, and training shooting sessions take place at least once every six months (Art. 44). The transport of goods and valuables is carried out with at least one armed person inside the locality and at least two outside it (Art. 25). Bodyguards may not carry weapons on the premises of public institutions (Art. 48).

The company license can be renewed every 3 years (Art. 19). Employers must provide continuing training of at least 20 hours per year for operational staff up to the level of shift supervisor, through authorized providers, under a program set annually by the IGPR (Norms, Art. 44(4)). The police may withdraw an individual certificate in the situations provided for in the norms (Norms, Art. 46).

Sources

• Law No. 333/2003, republished, Monitorul Oficial 189/2014 (legeaz.net)
• Government Decision No. 301/2012 approving the Methodological Norms (copy hosted by the Romanian Intelligence Service)
• Methodological Norms for Law No. 333/2003 (copy hosted by the Romanian Intelligence Service)

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