How long is a security guard authorisation valid?

Four years from notification of the resolution granting it, renewable for the same or a shorter period (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 85).

Is DL 3.607 still in force?

Not as a general rule: Law 21.659 repealed it (Article 115). It applies only transitionally to obliged entities during the period in its second transitional article, and authorisations granted under it are kept under the third transitional article.

What if the credential is lost?

The guard must report it to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention for blocking within twenty-four hours; meanwhile the guard can prove their status with the authorising resolution (DS 209, Article 91).

CL · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let a security guard work on an expired authorisation

A security guard needs an authorisation from the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, valid four years from notification and shown on a personal credential with its expiry date (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Articles 85 and 91). Renewal is requested at least 30 days ahead; afterwards the full procedure is repeated.

Law 21.659 on private security repealed Decree-Law 3.607 of 1981 and Law 19.303, together with their regulations (Article 115). The law enters into force six months after publication of its last complementary regulation (first transitional article); its regulation, Decree 209 of 2024 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, was published on 27 May 2025, and LeyChile records the law's text as in force since 28 November 2025. The governing body is the ministry responsible for public security, through the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, and the enforcement authority is Carabineros de Chile (Law 21.659, Article 1).

A security guard is a person who, without being a private watchman (vigilante privado), personally protects people and property within a defined site or area (Article 49). To work as one, the person must meet the general requirements of Article 46, pass a training course and be authorised by the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention by reasoned resolution. The authorisation is valid for four years, renewable for the same or a shorter period, and gives rise to a personal, non-transferable licence recorded on a credential the guard must carry at all times on duty (Article 50). Validity runs from notification of the resolution (DS 209, Article 85).

Renewal may be requested at least 30 days before expiry, proving the Article 46 requirements again and, where applicable, the courses; after that deadline, all documents must be filed as for a first application (DS 209, Article 85). In addition, the refresher or specialisation course must be passed every four years; if it is not taken in time, the basic training course must be repeated (DS 209, Article 89). The credential shows its expiry date (DS 209, Article 91).

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At a glance

Rule	Law 21.659 on private security and its regulation, Decree 209 of 2024; they repeal DL 3.607 and Law 19.303 (Law 21.659, Article 115)
Who authorises	Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, by resolution (Law 21.659, Article 50)
Validity	Four years from notification of the resolution, renewable (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 85)
Renewal	Request at least 30 days ahead; afterwards, full procedure as a first application (DS 209, Article 85)
Courses	Refresher or specialisation every four years; otherwise a new basic course (DS 209, Article 89)
Physical and mental fitness	Proved by the employer every two years for guards (DS 209, Article 83)
Credential	Personal and non-transferable, with an expiry date; carried at all times on duty (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 91)
Enforcement	Carabineros de Chile; breaches are reported to the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Articles 1, 88 and 106)

Authorisations in force when Law 21.659 took effect remain valid until they expire under the law in force when they were granted; guard authorisations obtained under DL 3.607 that expire remain valid for up to eighteen months from the law's entry into force, within which the new authorisation must be obtained (Law 21.659, third transitional article, as amended by Laws 21.806 and 21.825).

Who is responsible?

The guard holds the authorisation and applies for its renewal (DS 209, Article 85). The employer must prove annually to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention that the general and specific requirements are met (Law 21.659, Article 47) and, at its own cost, the guards' physical and mental fitness every two years (DS 209, Article 83). The background requirements of Article 46 must be updated annually with the employer (Law 21.659, Article 46).

If the deadline passes

Working as or offering the services of a security guard without the Undersecretariat's authorisation is prohibited (DS 209, Article 86 No. 7), and failing to comply with the terms of an authorisation is a serious breach (Law 21.659, Article 96 No. 4). When the enforcement authority finds a breach, it files a complaint with the Local Police Court (Law 21.659, Articles 88 and 106). If renewal is not requested at least 30 days before expiry, the guard must apply from scratch (DS 209, Article 85).

Three separate dates per guard

The authorisation and credential last four years (Law 21.659, Article 50), the refresher or specialisation course must also be passed every four years (DS 209, Article 89) and physical and mental fitness is proved every two years (DS 209, Article 83). It is best to record each date separately, using the expiry date on the credential as the main reference.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each guard and record as the expiry date the date shown on the credential; for older DL 3.607 authorisations, the date of the last authorisation.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day; the 60-day reminder leaves room to request renewal more than 30 days ahead.
The guard can upload the new resolution or credential through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the operations supervisor; if the authorisation is overdue, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a security guard authorisation valid?: Four years from notification of the resolution granting it, renewable for the same or a shorter period (Law 21.659, Article 50; DS 209, Article 85).
How far ahead must renewal be requested?: At least 30 days before expiry; after that deadline, all documents must be filed as for a first application (DS 209, Article 85).
Is DL 3.607 still in force?: Not as a general rule: Law 21.659 repealed it (Article 115). It applies only transitionally to obliged entities during the period in its second transitional article, and authorisations granted under it are kept under the third transitional article.
What if the credential is lost?: The guard must report it to the Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention for blocking within twenty-four hours; meanwhile the guard can prove their status with the authorising resolution (DS 209, Article 91).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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