Security Guard Services in Guatemala

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Guatemala

Private security services in Guatemala are governed by Decree 52-2010, the Law Regulating Private Security Services (Ley que Regula los Servicios de Seguridad Privada), under the supervision of the General Directorate of Private Security Services (Dirección General de Servicios de Seguridad Privada, DIGESSP) of the Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio de Gobernación). Providers need authorization from DIGESSP and an operating license for each service, and their personnel must meet age, schooling, training and certification requirements.

Authority: General Directorate of Private Security Services (DIGESSP), Ministry of the Interior. Legal framework: Decree 52-2010 of the Congress of the Republic, Law Regulating Private Security Services. Firearms matters fall under the Arms and Ammunition Law (Ley de Armas y Municiones) and the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition Control (Dirección General de Control de Armas y Municiones, DIGECAM). mingob.gob.gt/noticias/servicios-de-seguridad-privada

Requirements for Personnel

• All personnel must be of legal age and must not be an active member or official of the army, the police, the prison system, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público) or any state security or intelligence body (Art. 42, a).
• Anyone who has served in the army, the police, a state security body or another private security company must show that their departure was not due to a crime, human rights violations or breaches of duty (Art. 42, b).
• Have passed the training and education programs designed by DIGESSP (Art. 42, d).
• Watchmen (vigilantes), unarmed: over 18 years of age, completed primary school (or fourth grade plus a special course within one year), and training and certification by the entity designated by DIGESSP (Art. 45).
• Guards (guardias), who may carry approved defensive equipment and firearms: over 18 years of age, completed basic cycle (ciclo básico) (or a special course within 18 months), and training and certification by the entity designated by DIGESSP (Art. 46).
• Private escorts: completed diversified cycle (ciclo diversificado) and training and certification recognized by DIGESSP; individual escorts also need a weapon carry license from DIGECAM (Art. 48).
• Individuals licensed to provide services on their own account (escort and private investigation only) must be Guatemalan, of legal age and present certificates of criminal and police records (Arts. 15 and 16).

Steps to Obtain the License

1. The provider verifies that the candidate meets the personnel requirements, including a review of prior service (Art. 42).
2. The candidate trains at a center or institution authorized and supervised by DIGESSP, using the curriculum approved by DIGESSP (Arts. 51 and 52).
3. The candidate obtains certification for the relevant category (watchman, guard, escort or investigator) from the entity designated by DIGESSP (Arts. 45 to 49).
4. At armed posts, the carrying of weapons is governed by the Arms and Ammunition Law, Decree 15-2009, administered by DIGECAM (Arts. 55 and 56).

Agency Licensing

Providers must be authorized by DIGESSP and then apply for an operating license for each service they wish to provide, within six months after authorization (Arts. 32, 34 and 35). DIGESSP evaluates technical capacity, geographic scope, assets or paid-in capital, operating plans, the complete personnel roster with a sworn statement that it complies with the law, the inventory of approved weapons, uniforms and equipment, life insurance, civil liability insurance and bonds, and the internal work rules and manuals (Art. 32). The license is personal and non-transferable, and no provisional licenses are issued (Arts. 32 and 33). To obtain the license, providers must pass DIGESSP’s evaluations, including a psychological evaluation (Art. 50). The application must include proof of the payment set by regulation, and DIGESSP must decide within 30 days (Art. 39). Providers may only subcontract other providers licensed by DIGESSP (Art. 43).

Watchmen work without firearms (Art. 45). Guards may carry the defensive equipment and firearms approved in the provider’s security plan (Art. 46). The carrying, use and storage of firearms are governed by the Arms and Ammunition Law, Decree 15-2009, and any use of firearms must be reported immediately to DIGESSP (Arts. 55 and 56). The license application must include the weapons inventory, with possession and carry licenses in the provider’s name (Art. 32, i).

The operating license is valid for three years and may be renewed for the same period (Art. 32). Renewal must be requested at least 30 days before expiration, with a notarial declaration that conditions have not changed or with updated documents, including personnel training records (Art. 36). Renewal is denied when DIGESSP has verified complaints about service deficiencies or violations of the law (Art. 37).

Sources

• Decree 52-2010, Law Regulating Private Security Services (PDF hosted by the Ministry of the Interior)
• Ministry of the Interior: Legislation (lists Decree 52-2010)
• Ministry of the Interior: Private Security Services news section
• Ministry of the Interior: Private Security Policy advances (August 23, 2024)

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