Our Contact Centre will be closed from 5pm on 24 December 2024, reopening at 8am on 3 January 2025. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 5pm on Friday 20 December, reopening at 8am on Monday 6 January 2025. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
Find out how to apply for or renew a private security licence or certificate of approval (COA).
Find out how to renew a private security licence or certificate of approval.
Renew your current licence or certificate
There are 2 ways you can apply.
It’s quicker and cheaper to apply online.
Apply for a new licence or certificate
You must apply by mail for:
You can start work before you’ve done the training you need as a crowd controller, property guard or personal guard. To do this you need to apply for a temporary certificate.
You will only be granted a temporary certificate if your application includes the classes of crowd controller, property guard or personal guard and you have not completed the required training.
If you have a company or individual licence you can employ staff without certificates in an emergency.
Emergency appointments without certificates
If your application is turned down or you make a mistake and have to reapply, you won’t get your fee back. This is because the fee covers what it costs us to process the application. For more information about the rare cases we may give a refund you can contact us.
You can withdraw your application at any time by using the withdrawal form. You will not get your fee back.
Withdraw an application form [PDF, 139 KB]
The Authority will continue to process new applications of Certificate of Approval for those who are providing essential services during this period.
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