Wyoming does not license security guard companies or security officers at the state level. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) says so directly: asked whether the state licenses private investigators or security firms, its FAQ answers “No, but some municipalities may regulate private investigators and security alarm companies via city ordinance.” So starting a guard company in Wyoming means ordinary business registration with the state, a check of each city where you will work, and Cheyenne, whose municipal code covers detective, patrol and guard service businesses. This guide covers each layer, overtime, and how CGuardPro, the guard management software used by 600+ security companies, keeps officer records in order when there is no state card to rely on.
Everything below was checked against the DCI’s private investigator FAQ and official city ordinance records as of October 2026. Local rules change, so confirm with each city before your first shift there. This is not legal advice.
Does Wyoming require a security guard license?
No. Wyoming has no state board, agency or statute that licenses contract security companies or issues guard cards. The DCI, which is the state office people most often call about this, confirms there is no state license for private investigators or security firms.
That leaves three layers to manage:
- State business registration, the same as for any company.
- City ordinances, which can license guard businesses and officers inside city limits.
- Client contracts, which in practice set the standards for insurance, screening and training.
What do you register with the state?
The DCI FAQ notes you may need to register with the Wyoming Secretary of State if your company does business in Wyoming, and with the Wyoming Department of Revenue if you are subject to state revenue laws. As an employer, you will also deal with the Department of Workforce Services for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation. None of these are security-specific, but together with your liability certificate they are what clients and insurers check first.
Does Cheyenne license security guard companies?
Cheyenne regulates the business. The City of Cheyenne’s municipal code, Title 5, chapter 5.48, covers detective, patrol and guard service businesses, as shown in the city’s official ordinance records and its code of ordinances. We did not verify the current bond amount, fees or guard identification card requirements in that chapter from an official source, so we are not stating them here. If you will post officers in Cheyenne, read chapter 5.48 in full and contact the city clerk’s office before you start.
What about Casper and other Wyoming cities?
We did not verify a guard ordinance in Casper, Laramie, Gillette or other cities for this guide. As the DCI notes, some municipalities regulate security businesses by ordinance, so check with the city clerk or licensing office in each city where you will work. A city rule can apply to a company headquartered elsewhere as soon as it posts officers inside city limits.
What do armed security officers need in Wyoming?
There is no state armed-guard license, because there is no state guard license. Armed officers are governed by Wyoming’s general firearms laws, by any city ordinance where they work, and by client contracts and insurance terms. Most companies that run armed posts set their own firearms training and qualification schedule and record it per officer, which is what an insurer or client will ask to see.
How do you set standards without a state license?
In an unlicensed state, your written standards are what a client evaluates. Common elements in guard contracts include:
- a pre-employment background check and drug screen;
- defined initial training hours and site-specific training for each post;
- first aid and CPR certification;
- firearms qualification for armed posts;
- signed acknowledgment of post orders and safety rules.
Decide your standard, put it in writing, and record it per officer, so the answer to “how do you vet your guards?” is a record you can show.
What should you have ready before your first Wyoming contract?
A short checklist covers most first conversations with a Wyoming client:
- proof of business registration with the Secretary of State;
- a certificate of general liability insurance at the limits the client asks for, and workers’ compensation coverage;
- confirmation from each city where you will post officers that no local license is needed, or the license itself;
- your written screening and training standard, and a record per officer showing it was met;
- post orders for each site, signed by the officers assigned to it.
None of this is a state requirement, but it is what replaces one when a procurement team compares bids.
How does overtime work for Wyoming guards?
Wyoming has no general state overtime statute for private employers, so the federal Fair Labor Standards Act applies: non-exempt officers earn time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek, with no daily overtime. See the U.S. Department of Labor’s FLSA page. Wage claims in Wyoming go to the Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards. Remote-site rotations with long shifts can cross 40 hours in three or four days, so plan the week before the last shift.
Wyoming security licensing at a glance
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Statewide guard license | None |
| Statewide company license | None (DCI: “No”) |
| State registration | Secretary of State; Department of Revenue if applicable; employer registrations |
| Cheyenne | Municipal Code Title 5, ch. 5.48: detective, patrol and guard service businesses |
| Other cities | Not verified; confirm with the city |
| Armed | No state credential; general firearms law, city rules and contracts |
| Training hours | None set by the state |
| Overtime | Federal FLSA: 1.5x over 40 hours in a workweek |
How does software help keep the records?
When the state does not license guards, your own records carry the weight. CGuardPro stores credentials on each officer and supervisor record using credential types you define: a Cheyenne license if you hold one, a firearms qualification, CPR, a client site clearance or your in-house training certificate. Each has a number, issue and expiry dates and photos, and a daily check alerts the office on a window you choose, from 7 to 120 days ahead, repeating weekly until it is renewed. It warns rather than blocks, and it does not check with any city. Learn how security guard license tracking works, and see Wyoming security guard software for scheduling, GPS and selfie clock-in, and patrol records at remote Wyoming sites.
For payroll, CGuardPro sends approved hours per officer to Gusto as time sheets split into regular and overtime hours under the federal weekly 40-hour rule; payroll itself is run in Gusto.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license to be a security guard in Wyoming?
Not from the state. Some cities regulate security businesses by ordinance, and employers and clients set their own requirements.
Do you need a license to start a security company in Wyoming?
Not a state security license. You may need to register with the Secretary of State and the Department of Revenue, and you may need a city license, such as under Cheyenne’s chapter 5.48.
Who regulates private security in Wyoming?
No state agency licenses it. The Division of Criminal Investigation confirms there is no state license and points to municipal ordinances.
Does Wyoming have a state overtime law?
There is no general state overtime statute for private employers. The federal FLSA applies: time and a half over 40 hours in a workweek.
Can security guards carry firearms in Wyoming?
There is no state armed-guard license. General firearms laws apply, along with any city ordinance and your client’s contract terms.
For how this compares with licensed states, see our security guard license requirements by state.