Security Guard Services in Armenia

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Armenia

In Armenia, security guard and bodyguard services may be provided only by legal entities licensed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Law on Private Security Activity (HO-6-N). Security guards and bodyguards must be citizens of the Republic of Armenia, work under an employment contract, hold a qualification certificate and complete retraining at least once every three years.

Regulator: Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The Ministry issues private security activity licenses and maintains the electronic register of licensed organizations. The activity is governed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Private Security Activity (HO-6-N, adopted February 9, 2012, in force since January 1, 2013). mia.gov.am/licensing

Requirements

• Citizenship: only citizens of the Republic of Armenia may hold the status of security guard or bodyguard (Article 12)
• Employment: security guards and bodyguards work under an employment contract and must hold a qualification certificate (Article 12)
• Training and qualification: provided by licensed educational institutions (Article 22)
• Retraining: mandatory at least once every three years (Article 22)
• The following may not be security guards or bodyguards: persons declared by a court to be legally incapable or of limited legal capacity, persons registered for mental illness or alcohol or drug dependence, persons with an unexpunged conviction for an intentional crime, and persons who evaded compulsory military service (Article 12)
• The employer provides each security guard with a service ID, uniform, weapons and special equipment (Article 14)

Application Steps

1. Complete security guard or bodyguard training and qualification at a licensed educational institution and obtain a qualification certificate
2. Be hired under an employment contract by a licensed private security organization
3. Receive the organization’s service ID and equipment
4. Complete mandatory retraining at least once every three years

Agency Licensing

Security guard or bodyguard services may be provided only by licensed legal entities. The license is issued by the state body authorized in the field of internal affairs (the Ministry of Internal Affairs), which maintains an electronic register of licensed organizations. The application is submitted in the form set out in Annex 2 to Government Decision No. 1152-N of August 30, 2012, and must include employment contracts in force on the date of application with at least 10 qualified security guards or bodyguards, together with copies of their passports. The state duty is AMD 300,000 and is paid within five working days after notice that the application meets the requirements. If payment is late, the application is rejected. The application may be submitted in person, by mail or electronically at e-gov.am/licenses. Security organizations may not engage in other commercial activities, may not serve officials of state or local government bodies, must pay for health insurance for their security guards and must insure their liability for damage caused.

Licensed organizations may provide armed security. Weapons are acquired and used in accordance with the Law on the Circulation of Weapons (Article 15). Force, special equipment or firearms may be used only in necessary defense or extreme necessity, as a rule after a warning (Article 18). Firearms may be used only in cases provided for by law and may not be used against pregnant women, persons with an obvious disability or minors, except in cases of an armed or group attack. Every use must be reported immediately to the competent authority and to management (Article 21).

Security guards and bodyguards must complete retraining at least once every three years. The Ministry’s website does not state a period of validity for an organization’s license.

Sources

• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia: Licensing services (private security activity license)
• Law of the Republic of Armenia on Private Security Activity, ARLIS

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