Security Guard Services in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon falls under CNAPS, the French private security regulator, whose Île-de-France regional office expressly covers the territory. Private security officers must hold a professional card issued by CNAPS.

Regulator: Conseil national des activités privées de sécurité (National Council for Private Security Activities, CNAPS), Île-de-France regional office (and Saint Pierre and Miquelon). Legal framework: Internal Security Code (Code de la sécurité intérieure), as amended by Decree No. 2016-515 of 26 April 2016 on the conditions for carrying out private security activities and on CNAPS. cnaps.interieur.gouv.fr

Requirements

• Be a French or European national, or have lived in France for more than 5 years (CNAPS FAQ)
• CNAPS administrative investigation covering the police criminal records database, the wanted persons file and bulletin no. 2 of the criminal record
• Foreign nationals provide an equivalent of bulletin no. 3 from their country of birth, dated less than 3 months earlier and translated into French by a sworn translator
• Nationals of countries outside the European Union must demonstrate French at level B1 or higher
• Demonstrate professional aptitude through a CQP (professional qualification certificate), a qualification listed in the RNCP (national register of professional certifications), a European diploma recognized as equivalent, or an equivalence recognized for certain police, gendarmerie and military personnel

Application Steps

1. Obtain a pre-registration certificate from the training body
2. Apply to CNAPS for a prior authorization (or a provisional authorization if the training is provided by the hiring company), each valid for 6 months
3. Complete the training and obtain the certification
4. Apply for the professional card on Dracar Ultimate, or by mail to the CNAPS regional office covering the applicant’s place of residence (the Île-de-France office for Saint Pierre and Miquelon)
5. Wait for the administrative investigation and the CNAPS decision; no response after more than 2 months counts as an implicit rejection

Agency Licensing

Security companies must obtain an operating authorization from CNAPS, with a separate authorization for each secondary establishment, and anyone who directs, manages or is a partner in the company must hold a manager’s approval (agrément dirigeant).

Under CNAPS rules, armed security is a separate activity that excludes any other private security activity; the acquisition, possession and storage of weapons are governed by the order of 28 September 2018.

The professional card is valid for 5 years. Renewal must be requested at least 3 months before expiry, after completing MAC continuing training, and each activity is renewed separately.

Sources

• CNAPS: Find the regional office or branch
• CNAPS FAQ: Becoming a private security officer
• CNAPS FAQ: Card applications and filing
• CNAPS: Working as a private security officer
• CNAPS: Training for careers in private security
• CNAPS FAQ: Managers and companies
• CNAPS FAQ: Activities
• CNAPS FAQ: Renewals and duplicates
• CNAPS: Decree on the conditions for carrying out private security activities and on CNAPS

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