To work as an unarmed security guard in Illinois you need a PERC (Permanent Employee Registration Card) issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Armed officers need a PERC plus a Firearm Control Card (FCC). Both fall under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447).
This guide walks through who needs each credential, the training and eligibility rules, what it costs, and what security companies that employ guards in Illinois are responsible for. Licensing rules and fees change, so always confirm the current details on the IDFPR website before you apply.
The PERC Card: Illinois’ Core Security Guard License
Who Needs It
Every unarmed security officer working in Illinois must hold a PERC. It is a personal registration that stays with the officer, but it only lets you work while you are employed by or registered under a licensed Private Security Contractor Agency (more on the agency license below).
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a PERC you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a US citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States
- Pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check processed through IDFPR
- Not have disqualifying convictions under the Act
Training Requirements
Illinois requires 20 hours of basic security training delivered by a state-approved instructor or program. The Act also calls for additional training after hire and an annual refresher, so your employer or training school will schedule those hours. Keep your training certificates, as IDFPR and employers may ask for proof.
How to Apply
- Complete your 20-hour basic training with an approved provider.
- Get fingerprinted through an IDFPR-licensed livescan vendor.
- Create an account and submit your PERC application through IDFPR Online Services.
- Pay the application fee and wait for your background check to clear.
Costs
IDFPR lists the PERC application fee at $55 as of 2026. On top of that you will pay a livescan fingerprinting fee (set by the vendor) and the cost of your training course. Confirm current amounts on IDFPR before applying.
The Firearm Control Card (FCC): Armed Officers
Who Needs It
If you will carry a firearm on duty, you need a Firearm Control Card (FCC) in addition to your PERC. You cannot work armed on a PERC alone.
What It Requires
- A valid PERC
- A valid Illinois FOID (Firearm Owner’s Identification) card
- Additional IDFPR-approved firearm training beyond the basic 20 hours, including use-of-force law and a live-fire qualification
- Meeting the minimum age and background standards for armed work
IDFPR lists the FCC fee at $75 (renewal $45) as of 2026. Because armed requirements and hour counts are updated periodically, verify the current firearm-training requirement directly with IDFPR.
Background Check Process
How It Works
Illinois uses a fingerprint-based background check submitted electronically (livescan) to IDFPR and the Illinois State Police. Your prints are matched against state and federal criminal records before a PERC is issued.
Disqualifying Offenses
Certain felony convictions and offenses involving violence, weapons, or dishonesty can disqualify an applicant. The Act governs which convictions bar licensure and when someone may still be eligible, so applicants with a record should review the statute or ask IDFPR before applying.
Renewal
A PERC must be renewed before the expiration date printed on the card, on the cycle IDFPR sets. Renewal is handled through IDFPR Online Services and requires the renewal fee and completion of any required continuing training. Armed officers renew their FCC alongside the PERC. Set a reminder well before expiry, because working on a lapsed card is a compliance problem for both the officer and the employer.
What Security Companies in Illinois Need to Know
The Agency License
A guard’s PERC is only half of the picture. The company that employs security officers in Illinois must hold a Licensed Private Security Contractor Agency license from IDFPR, with a qualifying license holder who meets the Act’s experience requirements. Guards must be properly registered under that agency.
Employer Obligations
Illinois employers are responsible for confirming every officer holds a valid PERC (and FCC where armed), that training is completed and documented, and that no one works on a lapsed or pending-but-unqualified card. With crews spread across sites and shifts, tracking card numbers, expiry dates, and training hours by hand is where compliance slips.
Managing Compliance at Scale
This is where a security guard management platform earns its place. Novagems lets an Illinois operator store each guard’s PERC and FCC details and expiry dates, schedule only qualified officers to armed or specialized posts with drag-and-drop scheduling, and prove coverage with GPS tracking and checkpoint tours. When a card is about to expire, you catch it before the officer is scheduled, not after a client audit.
Illinois vs. Other States
Illinois runs one of the more structured licensing systems in the country: a personal PERC for every unarmed officer, a separate FCC for armed work, and a licensed agency behind them. States like Florida use a class-based system (Class D and Class G), while a handful of states have no statewide guard license at all. If you operate in more than one state, see our security guard license requirements by state overview to compare.
Getting Started
If you are an officer, start your 20-hour training, get fingerprinted, and file your PERC through IDFPR Online Services. If you run a security company in Illinois, make sure your agency license is current and that every guard’s PERC, FCC, and training are tracked in one place. Start a free trial of Novagems to keep Illinois compliance, scheduling, and reporting in a single system.
Further Reading
- Security guard license requirements by state
- Security guard management software
- Guard tour and checkpoint system
- GPS tracking and geofencing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a security guard license in Illinois?
To work as an unarmed security guard in Illinois you need a PERC (Permanent Employee Registration Card) from IDFPR. You must be at least 18, be legally authorized to work in the US, pass a fingerprint-based background check, and complete the required security training. You apply through IDFPR Online Services and must be employed by or registered under a licensed Private Security Contractor Agency.
What is a PERC card in Illinois?
A PERC, or Permanent Employee Registration Card, is the state registration every unarmed security officer in Illinois must hold. It is issued by IDFPR under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447). Armed officers need a PERC plus a Firearm Control Card (FCC).
How much does an Illinois PERC card cost?
IDFPR lists the PERC application fee at $55 as of 2026, plus a separate fingerprinting fee charged by the livescan vendor and the cost of your training course. An armed FCC carries an additional fee (listed at $75). Always confirm the current fees on the IDFPR website before you apply.
How long does it take to get a PERC in Illinois?
Once your fingerprints clear and your application is submitted through IDFPR Online Services, processing typically takes a few weeks. Many officers begin working under an employer while the PERC is pending, provided training and background-check steps are met. Check IDFPR for current processing times.
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