How to Renew Your Texas Security License (TOPS, CE, Fees and Deadlines)
The short answer: to renew a Texas security license, you file yourself in the DPS TOPS portal before it expires. Licenses last two years. Armed (commissioned) officers and personal protection officers also need 6 hours of continuing education, and armed officers need a firearms proficiency certificate dated within 90 days before they apply. Renewal costs $37 for an unarmed license and $57 for an armed or PPO license. Renew late and you pay up to double, and after a year you have to start over as a new applicant.
Texas security license renewal: what each license needs
| License | Renewal fee | Continuing education | Firearms proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-commissioned (unarmed) security officer | $37 | Not required | Not required |
| Commissioned (armed) security officer | $57 | 6 hours | Certificate dated within 90 days before you apply |
| Personal protection officer (PPO) | $57 | 6 hours (Level III or Level IV continuing education) | Required for the armed commission a PPO holds |
Fees are from the DPS private security fee schedule. Military members, spouses and veterans may qualify for reduced fees.
How to renew your Texas security license in TOPS
- Check your expiration date in your TOPS account. That date is the one that counts.
- Finish your continuing education (armed officers and PPOs). It must be completed within the two years before your license expires, and DPS won’t accept the renewal until the hours are done.
- Requalify with your firearm (armed officers), no more than 90 days before you submit.
- Sign in to TOPS, select Renew, and choose the license or licenses to renew.
- Confirm your details, upload your training documents, pay the fee, and submit.
When can you start? The DPS FAQ says TOPS lets you renew online up to 180 days before expiration. Armed officers should still plan around the 90-day firearms window: requalify first, then submit while that certificate is current.
Continuing education: who needs it and what counts
- Who: commissioned security officers and personal protection officers need 6 hours. Non-commissioned (unarmed) officers are exempt.
- Where: from a DPS-approved continuing education school. Companies with 10 or more licensed employees can ask DPS for an exemption letter to provide their own continuing education. The firearms portion must be taught at a licensed Level III school.
- When: any time in the two years before your license expires. Don’t leave it to the last week.
Our recertification and continuing education course ($65) covers the 6 hours online. You then book an in-person range session at a time and DFW location that works for you, and the range fee is included.
What happens if your license expires
| Expired for | What you can do | Unarmed fee | Armed / PPO fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 days or less | Renew at 1.5 times the fee | $52 | $82 |
| More than 90 days, under 1 year | Renew at 2 times the fee | $67 | $107 |
| 1 year or more | No renewal. Apply as a new applicant. | New application fees and requirements | |
The rules are in Texas Occupations Code §1702.302. Most important: you can’t work while your license is expired. If you submit a complete renewal application before it expires, you can keep working while DPS processes it. There’s no “grace period” that lets you keep working after the expiration date.
Do I need new fingerprints or a new MMPI?
- Fingerprints: usually not, as long as DPS still has usable prints on file. DPS will ask for a new set if yours don’t meet its standards.
- MMPI: no. DPS says an MMPI is valid indefinitely, so armed officers don’t retake it to renew.
New to security work?
If you’re working toward your first license rather than renewing one, start with how to become a security officer in Texas and see all of our security training.
FAQ
How often do I renew a Texas security license?
Every two years. DPS issues new licenses with an expiration date two years from issuance. Your exact date is shown in TOPS.
How much does it cost to renew?
$37 for an unarmed (non-commissioned) license and $57 for an armed or PPO license. Late renewals cost 1.5 times the fee up to 90 days late and 2 times the fee up to one year late.
Do unarmed (Level II) officers need continuing education?
No. Continuing education (6 hours) is required for commissioned officers and personal protection officers only.
Can I keep working if my license expired?
No. You can’t perform licensed security work while your license is expired. Submit a complete renewal before the expiration date to stay covered while DPS processes it.
What if my license has been expired for more than a year?
It can’t be renewed. You’ll need to submit a new application and meet the requirements for a new license.
Photo credits
- Header: Photo: U.S. Army Europe, public domain
