Staffing Requirements for Securing a Security Services License

In Ukraine, services for protecting property, individuals, and facilities, as well as escorting cargo, may be provided only with the appropriate license to carry out security activities. The licensing authority is the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (MIA), which issues the license provided that the business meets the legal requirements concerning its personnel, material and technical resources, and organization of operations.

In practice, personnel requirements and the required documents are often the areas that raise the most questions for applicants. Do you need to have security guards on staff before submitting the application? What requirements apply to the head of a security company? What are the most common reasons for a license application to be refused?

This article answers these questions and explains how to properly prepare for the licensing process.

Who Can Obtain a Security Activities License

Under the Licensing Conditions, both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs may carry out security activities in Ukraine by obtaining the license. A mandatory requirement is to have the necessary material and technical resources and to comply with the applicable organizational, personnel, and technological requirements.

Before submitting the documents, it is necessary to make sure that the business entity:

• is duly registered under the law;
• intends to carry out security activities;
• has a specialist responsible for organizing security measures on its staff who meets the legal requirements;
• can demonstrate compliance with the applicable personnel and organizational requirements.

Please note! Obtaining a license is not a one-time procedure. After the license is issued, the license holder must continuously comply with the Licensing Conditions, notify the licensing authority of any changes to the information provided, and retain documents confirming the accuracy of that information throughout the entire validity period of the license.

Recommended: Notifying the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Changes in a Security Company: Mandatory Requirements in 2026

Requirements for the Head of a Security Company (Security Operations Specialist)

A key HR requirement for obtaining a security activities license is having a security operations specialist on staff who is responsible for organizing the company’s security activities. If an individual entrepreneur meets the qualification requirements personally, there is no need to appoint a separate specialist.

The specialist must meet one of the following criteria:

• higher education and at least 3 years of service in officer positions in operational or investigative units of the internal affairs authorities, the security police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or other military formations;
• higher education and at least 3 years of experience in a managerial position at a security services provider;
• higher legal education and at least 3 years of professional experience in the security sector.

In addition to the education and experience requirements, the person must undergo mandatory psychiatric and substance abuse examinations, have no medical contraindications to performing the duties, and confirm military registration.

If the specialist is temporarily absent, their duties must be assigned to another person who also meets the applicable requirements.

You might also like: When Should a Security Specialist Be Paid? 

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Do You Need to Have Security Guards on Staff to Obtain a License?

This is one of the most common questions among applicants. The Licensing Conditions provide that information about security personnel is submitted only if such personnel are already employed. In other words, the law does not require a company to have a full team of security guards before obtaining a license. It is sufficient to have a security operations specialist.

However, once the company begins operating, all security guards must be officially employed and meet the legal requirements, including:

• be legally capable citizens of Ukraine;
• be at least 18 years old;
• complete professional training and hold a state-issued qualification document;
• enter into an employment agreement with the security services provider;
• undergo psychiatric and substance abuse examinations;
• have no unexpunged or unspent convictions for intentional offenses;
• have no medical contraindications.

Thus, at the licensing stage, the key requirement is to meet the requirements applicable to the security operations specialist. The security team can then be formed based on the actual needs of the business.

What Documents Are Required to Obtain a Security Activities License?

Preparing the documents is one of the most important stages of the licensing process for a security business. Errors or an incomplete set of documents may result in a refusal.

The applicant must submit an application in the prescribed form. If the documents are submitted in paper form, an inventory of the documents must be prepared in two copies.

The application must be accompanied by documents confirming compliance with the Licensing Conditions. In particular, for the security operations specialist, the following must be submitted:

• copies of documents confirming education and work experience;
• an extract from the employment record book or information from the Register of Insured Persons;
• certificates confirming completion of psychiatric and substance abuse examinations;
• a document confirming the absence of medical contraindications;
• a copy of the passport and RNOKPP;
• a military registration document.

In addition to personnel documents, the following must also be submitted:

• information about special equipment, if applicable;
• information about response vehicles;
• information about service dogs, if applicable;
• information about the central monitoring station and technical security equipment;
• information on the accessibility of facilities for persons with reduced mobility;
• confirmation that the applicant has no ties to the aggressor state.

After the license is issued, all documents must be retained throughout the entire validity period. Security agreements and related documents must be retained for at least 5 years after their termination.

You might also like: Security Specialist Requirements for Obtaining a License: How to Prepare Documents Quickly

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Security Activities License

Based on years of experience, the most common reasons for licensing refusals or delays include:

• the security operations specialist does not meet the applicable qualification requirements;
• an incomplete set of documents is submitted or required certificates have expired;
• training documents that are not state-issued qualification documents are used, such as online course certificates;
• military registration information is not up to date, including a wanted status in the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center records.

Even a single incorrectly prepared document or outdated certificate may result in an official refusal by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and delay the launch of the business for several months. To complete the procedure successfully on the first attempt and minimize bureaucratic risks, it is advisable to engage lawyers who specialize specifically in licensing security activities.

You might also like: How to Avoid Rejection When Obtaining a Security Activity License

How to Obtain a Security Activities License Without Delays or Obstacles

Pravova Dopomoga Law Firm has been assisting clients with obtaining security activities licenses since 2007. We know what the Ministry of Internal Affairs reviews, which wording in the documents may raise questions, and how to avoid issues before the application is submitted.

Our specialists do more than provide legal advice. We take care of the entire administrative process:

• checking the company’s compliance with the Licensing Conditions;
• preparing the complete set of documents;
• assessing the candidate for the security specialist position;
• preparing the required information about the material and technical resources;
• assisting with the submission of documents to the MIA;
• supporting the process until a positive decision is received.

If you do not yet have a security operations specialist or their documents are not ready, we can help resolve this issue. Our lawyers also assist with obtaining a firearms permit for a security company. Most security companies turn to us for comprehensive assistance with these matters.

Fill out the form on our website or call our toll-free hotline. We will review your situation and explain what needs to be done in your specific case.