Oregon law requires private security entities, that employ or contract with private security providers who provide private security services in the state of Oregon, to be licensed as a private security entity by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).
This includes any entity providing private security services in the state of Oregon; small businesses, as well as large corporations, and remote security companies with corporate offices located outside of the state.
Helpful links with information regarding Private Security Entities in Oregon:
Self-navigable Entity Application Instructional Video (8-minute total runtime)
DPSST's Entity program FAQs page.
If you have questions not covered in the videos or FAQs, please send an email to: PSE@dpsst.oregon.gov.
(1) Any person proposing to operate as a private security entity after January 1, 2024, must obtain a license or be issued a Temporary Authorization Form to provide private security services.
(2) Private security entities must provide the Department's Internet address for license verification to a person before providing private security services to the person.
(3) Private security entity licensing requirements apply to any private security entity that provides private security services within this state, regardless of whether the private security entity is principally located in another state.
(4) The following persons do not meet the definition of a private security entity and are not required to obtain a license:
(a) Public universities employing special campus security providers commissioned under ORS 352.118 or institutions of higher education employing private security providers and regulated under ORS 181A.972.
(b) A person whose employees are exempt from the private security provider certification and licensure requirements under ORS 181A.845.
(c) An executive manager who contracts with a private security entity to provide services as an executive manager. This includes the executive manager providing private security services when the executive manager is also certified as a private security professional.
(d) A person who is the sole owner and operator of a business that provides private security services and does not employ any other private security providers.
(e) A person who is not engaged in the business of providing private security, but hires or utilizes the services of a licensed private security entity.
You can find simplified information at this frequently updated link curated by Cornell Law regarding Oregon Private Security Entities: