If you're hiring a security agency for your office, warehouse, hospital, or IT park, there's one document that matters more than any brochure or sales pitch: the PSARA license.
The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA) requires every private security agency in India to be licensed by the state government before it can legally deploy guards. An agency without one isn't just cutting corners it's operating illegally, which puts your facility, your employees, and your compliance record at risk.
Here's how to check in under five minutes.
Step 1: Ask for the License Number Upfront
Any legitimate agency will share its PSARA license number without hesitation. If a vendor is vague, delays, or says "we're in process," treat that as a red flag not a technicality.
Step 2: Check the State-Specific Validity
PSARA licenses are issued at the state level, not nationally. An agency licensed in Telangana isn't automatically authorized to operate in Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. If you're hiring for a facility outside the agency's home state, confirm they hold a valid license for that specific state.
Step 3: Match the License to the Company Name
The license is issued to a specific legal entity. Cross-check that the name on the license certificate matches the name on your contract and invoices. It's not unusual for agencies to subcontract work under a different, unlicensed entity this is one of the most common ways clients get exposed.
Step 4: Verify the Expiry Date
PSARA licenses are typically valid for five years and must be renewed. An expired license is functionally the same as no license. Ask for a copy of the certificate and check the validity dates directly don't just take a verbal confirmation.
Step 5: Cross-Check with the State Controlling Authority
Each state has a Controlling Authority (usually under the police department or home department) that issues and maintains PSARA licenses. Many states publish licensed agency lists or allow verification through their police/home department websites. When in doubt, a quick call to the local Controlling Authority office can confirm a license's authenticity.
A five-minute verification now can save you from a compliance failure or worse down the line.
At SafetyWall, every guard we deploy is backed by a valid, verifiable PSARA license, documented background checks, and structured training. If you'd like to see our compliance documentation before you sign anything, we're happy to share it.