Security guard management software for North Carolina security companies

Schedule guards across every North Carolina site, prove they were on post, record patrols and incidents, and keep copies of their PPSB registration card on file, in one platform.

Start your free trial Book a demo

What software do North Carolina security companies use to manage guards?

North Carolina security companies use security guard management software to schedule guards, verify they were on site, record patrols and incidents, and report to clients. ForceVera does this in one platform: shifts published to guards' phones, a geofenced time clock, QR patrol checkpoints, incident and daily reports, dispatch and a client portal. Guards can upload a photo of their PPSB registration card so a copy sits on their profile.

North Carolina in numbers

How many security guards work in North Carolina?

North Carolina employed 29,830 security guards in May 2025, 6.04 for every 1,000 jobs in the state, at a mean wage of $18.79 an hour (US: $20.42). 412 security guard and patrol service locations employed 19,609 people in 2025.

29,830 guards2.3% of the 1,283,470 in the US (BLS, May 2025)

$18.79 an hourMean wage for security guards in North Carolina (BLS, May 2025)

412 guard company locationsSecurity guard and patrol service worksites, 2025 average (BLS QCEW)

1,815.1 property crimes per 100,000Reported to the FBI for 2025, with 334.2 violent crimes per 100,000 (FBI estimates for the US: 1,534.8 and 327.6)

Licensing in North Carolina

Who licenses security guards in North Carolina

Regulator: North Carolina Private Protective Services Board (PPSB), part of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, which registers unarmed guards employed by licensed security guard and patrol companies.

Unarmed guard registrationEach unarmed guard must be registered with the PPSB by the licensed company that employs them. Guards cannot submit their own application. A new registration needs a criminal record check covering the past 60 months, an FD-258 fingerprint card, a photo, and a training certificate. The Board's procedures manual says applicants must be 18.

16 hours of trainingUnarmed guards must complete a 16-hour course taught by a Board-certified trainer. Under the Board's January 2026 guidance, 4 hours (The Security Officer in North Carolina, and Legal Issues for Security Officers) must be done before the guard is placed on a duty station. The remaining 12 hours are due within 30 days of permanent hire.

Probation, deadlines, and renewalLicensed companies may use an unarmed guard as a probationary employee for 20 consecutive calendar days and must report it on a monthly roster. If the guard is kept on, registration is due within 30 days after the probationary period. Registration expires one year from issuance. A renewal can be filed up to 90 days before expiry, or up to 90 days late with a $25 late fee.

Overtime for security guards in North Carolina

North Carolina has its own overtime rule in the Wage and Hour Act. The NC Department of Labor's poster says time and one-half must be paid to all employees after 40 hours of work in any one workweek, with some exceptions. It also says the state overtime provisions do not apply to employees classified as exempt under the federal FLSA, and that the exemptions are listed in NCGS 95-25.14. The state threshold is the same weekly 40 hours as the federal rule.

Estimate the overtime in a schedule with our free security guard overtime calculator, or work out headcount with the 24/7 coverage calculator.

How ForceVera helps

Run your North Carolina guard operation in one platform

Registration cards on each guard profileForceVera stores photos of each guard's PPSB registration card on their profile, so supervisors can find it quickly. It does not verify cards with the Board or track the one-year expiry date, so keep your own renewal calendar.

Shift-by-shift hoursTimesheets show hours shift by shift and export to CSV or Excel for your payroll review. Client invoices apply a weekly overtime threshold only.

Schedules on every guard's phonePlan the week by site and guard, including recurring and overnight shifts, publish it to the guard app and send reminders before each shift.

Proof guards were on postGuards clock in and start breaks only inside the site's geofence with a PIN; leaving the site, going idle or clocking out off site is flagged.

Proof of patrolQR checkpoints scanned from the guard app, with missed and late tour alerts and time-stamped, located scans.

Reports clients trustIncident and daily activity reports with photos from the guard app, and branded daily reports emailed to clients.

ForceVera keeps records; it does not make a company compliant with state law. See all features or see pricing.

FAQ

Security companies in North Carolina: questions, answered

Who licenses unarmed security guards in North Carolina?

The Private Protective Services Board, part of the NC Department of Public Safety. Licensed security guard and patrol companies register each unarmed guard with the Board.

Can a guard apply for registration on their own?

No. The Board says individuals cannot submit their own registration applications. The employing company applies and is also responsible for renewals.

How much training does an unarmed guard need?

16 hours with a Board-certified trainer. Under the Board's January 2026 guidance, the first 4 hours come before the guard is placed on a duty station. The other 12 hours are due within 30 days of permanent hire.

Can a company use a guard before registration?

Yes, as a probationary employee for up to 20 consecutive calendar days. The company must first complete the 4-hour training, run a criminal record check, and list the guard on the monthly probationary roster. If the guard is kept on, registration is due within 30 days after the probationary period.

How long is a registration valid?

One year from issuance, per the Board's procedures manual. The company can renew up to 90 days before expiry, or up to 90 days late with a $25 late fee.

Is this legal advice?

No. This page summarizes information published by North Carolina state agencies and official sources as of October 2026. Rules change and exceptions apply, so check the official sources or ask an employment lawyer.

Official sources

Checked October 2026. Licensing and wage rules change, so confirm them with the agency before you rely on them. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Other states: California · Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · Pennsylvania · Maryland · Virginia · Arizona · Nevada · Ohio · Washington · all US states.

Your next shift could be verified.

Get your team on ForceVera this week. Try every core feature free for 14 days, with no charge until the trial ends and no contract.

Start your free trial Book a demo

Nothing charged during the trial
Cancel anytime
Your data stays yours