Security guard training in Washington

1 security guard program with costs, results and funding that can make it free

One school offers this security guard program, and Washington has approved it for workforce funding. It shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Security guards protect property from illegal activity. Most states require a license, which usually means being 18 or older, passing a background check and completing training; most guards learn the job in a few weeks. Armed guards need weapons training and usually a separate license.¹

In Washington, the one program takes students without a high school diploma.

See the program

How much does security guard training cost in Washington?

$1,500

is what this program costs if you pay yourself

This program

Finished the program: Not reported; The program doesn't report it
Working 6 months later: Not reported; The program doesn't report it
Earned a year, estimated: Not reported; The program doesn't report it
Length: 6 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Washington may also offer security guard training. How these figures are made

Is there free security guard training in Washington?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for the program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. The one program with a price costs $1,500.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

The one security guard program in Washington approved for WIOA funding

1 program

Security guard license courseHybridNo diploma needed
Private Security Academy
Highline College
Des Moines
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Highline College, Des MoinesSecurity guard license course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$1,500
Program website, Private Security Academy at Highline College
More details about Private Security Academy at Highline College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
6 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$250
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$1,500
Program website, Private Security Academy at Highline College

How to pay for security guard training in Washington

WIOA funding can pay for security guard training in Washington

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for security guard training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for security guard training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Washington

How security guard training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Washington

Where the Washington security guard program numbers come from

Which Washington security guard programs are on this list?

These are the security guard programs Washington approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Washington offers.

How the prices and results of Washington security guard programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about security guard training in Washington

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services