{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-139.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-139.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-139.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-139.html"}],"law_id":63110,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63110,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-139","catch_line":"Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses","history":"1976, c. 737, \u00a7 54-729.29; 1977, c. 376, \u00a7 54.1-1902; 1978, cc. 28, 428; 1984, cc. 57, 779; 1988, cc. 48, 765; 1991, c. 589; 1992, c. 578, \u00a7 9-183.3; 1994, cc. 45, 47, 810; 1995, c. 79; 1996, c. 541; 1998, cc. 53, 122, 807; 2000, c. 26; 2001, cc. 821, 844; 2002, cc. 578, 597; 2003, c. 124; 2004, c. 470; 2008, c. 638; 2015, c. 202; 2016, c. 561; 2018, c. 214.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall engage in the private security services business or solicit private security business in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license from the Department. No person shall be issued a private security services business license until a compliance agent is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department. The compliance agent shall ensure the compliance of the private security services business with this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board.B\n\nNo person shall act as a private security services training school or solicit students for private security training in the Commonwealth without being certified by the Department. No person shall be issued a private security services training school certification until a school director is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department. The school director shall ensure the compliance of the school with the provisions of this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board.C\n\nNo person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth as armored car personnel, courier, armed security officer, detector canine handler, unarmed security officer, security canine handler, private investigator, personal protection specialist, alarm respondent, locksmith, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, electronic security technician’s assistant, or electronic security technician without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department, except as provided in this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a licensed private security services business may hire as an independent contractor a personal protection specialist or private investigator who has been issued a registration by the Department.D\n\nA temporary license may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary license until (i) he has designated a compliance agent who has complied with the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141 for compliance agents, (ii) each principal of the business has submitted his fingerprints for a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.E\n\nNo person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth unless such person is certified or registered in accordance with this chapter.F\n\nA temporary registration may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, for armored car personnel, couriers, armed security officers, detector canine handlers, unarmed security officers, security canine handlers, private investigators, personal protection specialists, alarm respondents, locksmith, central station dispatchers, electronic security sales representatives, electronic security technician’s assistants, or electronic security technicians, (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.G\n\nA temporary certification as a private security instructor or private security training school may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary certification as a private security services instructor until he has (i) met the education, training and experience requirements established by the Board and (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. No person shall be issued a temporary certification as a private security services training school until (a) he has designated a training director, (b) each principal of the training school has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (c) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.H\n\nA licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not employ as an unarmed security officer, electronic security technician’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, locksmith, or electronic security technician, any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, except that such person may be so employed for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards.I\n\nNo person shall be employed as an electronic security employee, electronic security technician’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent, locksmith, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, electronic security technician or supervisor until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an out-of-state central station dispatcher meeting the requirements of subdivision 19 of § 9.1-140.J\n\nThe compliance agent of each licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall maintain documentary evidence that each private security registrant and certified employee employed by his private security services business has complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards required by the Board. Before January 1, 2003, the compliance agent shall ensure that an investigation to determine suitability of each unarmed security officer employee has been conducted, except that any such unarmed security officer, upon initiating a request for such investigation under the provisions of subdivision A 11 of § 19.2-389, may be employed for up to 30 days pending completion of such investigation. After January 1, 2003, no person shall be employed as an unarmed security officer until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. Any person who was employed as an unarmed security officer prior to January 1, 2003, shall submit his fingerprints to the Department in accordance with subsection B of § 9.1-145.K\n\nNo person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (i) moral turpitude, (ii) assault and battery, (iii) damage to real or personal property, (iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any felony shall be (a) employed as a registered or certified employee by a private security services business or training school, or (b) issued a private security services registration, certification as an unarmed security officer, electronic security employee or technician’s assistant, a private security services training school or instructor certification, compliance agent certification, or a private security services business license, except that, upon written request, the Director of the Department may waive such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such waiver shall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and shall state the reasons for such decision.L\n\nThe Department may grant a temporary exemption from the requirement for licensure, certification, or registration for a period of not more than 30 days in a situation deemed an emergency by the Department.M\n\nAll private security services businesses and private security services training schools in the Commonwealth shall include their license or certification number on all business advertising materials.N\n\nA licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not employ as armored car personnel any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, except such person may serve as a driver of an armored car for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards, provided such person does not possess or have access to a firearm while serving as a driver.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":230167,"text":"No person shall engage in the private security services business or solicit private security business in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license from the Department. No person shall be issued a private security services business license until a compliance agent is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department. The compliance agent shall ensure the compliance of the private security services business with this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":230168,"text":"No person shall act as a private security services training school or solicit students for private security training in the Commonwealth without being certified by the Department. No person shall be issued a private security services training school certification until a school director is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department. The school director shall ensure the compliance of the school with the provisions of this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":230169,"text":"No person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth as armored car personnel, courier, armed security officer, detector canine handler, unarmed security officer, security canine handler, private investigator, personal protection specialist, alarm respondent, locksmith, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, electronic security technician’s assistant, or electronic security technician without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department, except as provided in this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a licensed private security services business may hire as an independent contractor a personal protection specialist or private investigator who has been issued a registration by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":230170,"text":"A temporary license may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary license until (i) he has designated a compliance agent who has complied with the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141 for compliance agents, (ii) each principal of the business has submitted his fingerprints for a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":230171,"text":"No person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth unless such person is certified or registered in accordance with this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":230172,"text":"A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary registration until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, for armored car personnel, couriers, armed security officers, detector canine handlers, unarmed security officers, security canine handlers, private investigators, personal protection specialists, alarm respondents, locksmith, central station dispatchers, electronic security sales representatives, electronic security technician’s assistants, or electronic security technicians, (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":230173,"text":"A temporary certification as a private security instructor or private security training school may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary certification as a private security services instructor until he has (i) met the education, training and experience requirements established by the Board and (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. No person shall be issued a temporary certification as a private security services training school until (a) he has designated a training director, (b) each principal of the training school has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (c) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":230174,"text":"A licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not employ as an unarmed security officer, electronic security technician’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, locksmith, or electronic security technician, any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, except that such person may be so employed for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":230175,"text":"No person shall be employed as an electronic security employee, electronic security technician’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent, locksmith, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, electronic security technician or supervisor until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an out-of-state central station dispatcher meeting the requirements of subdivision 19 of § 9.1-140.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"9":{"id":230176,"text":"The compliance agent of each licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall maintain documentary evidence that each private security registrant and certified employee employed by his private security services business has complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards required by the Board. Before January 1, 2003, the compliance agent shall ensure that an investigation to determine suitability of each unarmed security officer employee has been conducted, except that any such unarmed security officer, upon initiating a request for such investigation under the provisions of subdivision A 11 of § 19.2-389, may be employed for up to 30 days pending completion of such investigation. After January 1, 2003, no person shall be employed as an unarmed security officer until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. Any person who was employed as an unarmed security officer prior to January 1, 2003, shall submit his fingerprints to the Department in accordance with subsection B of § 9.1-145.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I","next_prefix":"K"},"10":{"id":230177,"text":"No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (i) moral turpitude, (ii) assault and battery, (iii) damage to real or personal property, (iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any felony shall be (a) employed as a registered or certified employee by a private security services business or training school, or (b) issued a private security services registration, certification as an unarmed security officer, electronic security employee or technician’s assistant, a private security services training school or instructor certification, compliance agent certification, or a private security services business license, except that, upon written request, the Director of the Department may waive such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such waiver shall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and shall state the reasons for such decision.","type":"section","prefixes":["K"],"prefix":"K","entire_prefix":"K","prefix_anchor":"K","level":1,"prior_prefix":"J","next_prefix":"L"},"11":{"id":230178,"text":"The Department may grant a temporary exemption from the requirement for licensure, certification, or registration for a period of not more than 30 days in a situation deemed an emergency by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["L"],"prefix":"L","entire_prefix":"L","prefix_anchor":"L","level":1,"prior_prefix":"K","next_prefix":"M"},"12":{"id":230179,"text":"All private security services businesses and private security services training schools in the Commonwealth shall include their license or certification number on all business advertising materials.","type":"section","prefixes":["M"],"prefix":"M","entire_prefix":"M","prefix_anchor":"M","level":1,"prior_prefix":"L","next_prefix":"N"},"13":{"id":230180,"text":"A licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not employ as armored car personnel any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, except such person may serve as a driver of an armored car for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards, provided such person does not possess or have access to a firearm while serving as a driver.","type":"section","prefixes":["N"],"prefix":"N","entire_prefix":"N","prefix_anchor":"N","level":1,"prior_prefix":"M"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14163,"edition_id":1,"name":"Private Security Services Businesses","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:05","permalink":{"id":284871,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14163,"identifier":"4","token":"9.1\/1\/4","url":"\/9.1\/1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Criminal Justice Services","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12896,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12897,"identifier":"1","token":"9.1\/1","url":"\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12896,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12896,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":69682,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-138","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/9.1-138\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-138","metadata":false},{"id":63110,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-139","catch_line":"Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses","url":"\/9.1-139\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-139","metadata":false},{"id":68663,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-140","catch_line":"Exceptions from article; training requirements for out-of-state central station dispatchers","url":"\/9.1-140\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-140","metadata":false},{"id":55329,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-140.01","catch_line":"Exemption from training requirements; central station dispatchers employed by central stations certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory","url":"\/9.1-140.01\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-140.01","metadata":false},{"id":78631,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-140.1","catch_line":"Registration; waiver of examination; locksmiths","url":"\/9.1-140.1\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-140.1","metadata":false},{"id":80366,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-141","catch_line":"Powers of Board relating to private security services business","url":"\/9.1-141\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-141","metadata":false},{"id":75892,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-142","catch_line":"Powers of Department relating to private security services businesses","url":"\/9.1-142\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-142","metadata":false},{"id":68760,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-143","catch_line":"Private Security Services Advisory Board; membership","url":"\/9.1-143\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-143","metadata":false},{"id":79924,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-144","catch_line":"Insurance required","url":"\/9.1-144\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-144","metadata":false},{"id":59393,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-145","catch_line":"Fingerprints required; penalty","url":"\/9.1-145\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-145","metadata":false},{"id":71626,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-146","catch_line":"Limitation on powers of registered armed security officers","url":"\/9.1-146\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-146","metadata":false},{"id":63070,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-147","catch_line":"Unlawful conduct generally; penalty","url":"\/9.1-147\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-147","metadata":false},{"id":80236,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-148","catch_line":"Unlawful procurement of a license; penalty","url":"\/9.1-148\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-148","metadata":false},{"id":67420,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-149","catch_line":"Unlicensed activity prohibited; penalty","url":"\/9.1-149\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-149","metadata":false},{"id":60196,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-149.1","catch_line":"Unlawful advertisement for regulated services; notice; penalty","url":"\/9.1-149.1\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-149.1","metadata":false},{"id":78865,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-150","catch_line":"Monetary penalty","url":"\/9.1-150\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-150","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69682,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-138","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/9.1-138\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-138","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68663,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-140","catch_line":"Exceptions from article; training requirements for out-of-state central station dispatchers","url":"\/9.1-140\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-140","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-139\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 737 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 19 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1977, chapter 376; in 1978, chapters 28 and 428; in 1984, chapters 57 and 779; in 1988, chapters 48 and 765; in 1991, chapter 589; in 1992, chapter 578; in 1994, chapters 45<\/a>, 47<\/a>, and 810<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 79<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 541<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 53<\/a>, 122<\/a>, and 807<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 26<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 821<\/a> and 844<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 578<\/a> and 597<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 124<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 470<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 638<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 202<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 561<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 214<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68190,"section_number":"18.2-340.33","catch_line":"Prohibited practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-340.33\/"},{"id":54485,"section_number":"18.2-60.3","catch_line":"Stalking; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.3\/"},{"id":68255,"section_number":"18.2-60.5","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of electronic tracking device; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.5\/"},{"id":85362,"section_number":"23.1-3127","catch_line":"Powers of the board","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-3127\/"},{"id":67579,"section_number":"6.2-1902","catch_line":"(Repealed effective July 1, 2026) Scope and construction of chapter.","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1902\/"},{"id":82828,"section_number":"6.2-1923","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1923\/"},{"id":68663,"section_number":"9.1-140","catch_line":"Exceptions from article; training requirements for out-of-state central station dispatchers","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-140\/"},{"id":79924,"section_number":"9.1-144","catch_line":"Insurance required","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-144\/"},{"id":67420,"section_number":"9.1-149","catch_line":"Unlicensed activity prohibited; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-149\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84070,"section_number":"18.2-247","catch_line":"Use of terms \"controlled substances,\" \"marijuana,\" \"Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,\" \"imitation controlled substance,\" and \"counterfeit controlled substance\" in Title 18.2","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-247\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":81089,"section_number":"19.2-389","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Dissemination of criminal history record information","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-389\/"},{"id":80366,"section_number":"9.1-141","catch_line":"Powers of Board relating to private security services business","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-141\/"}],"permalink":{"id":284877,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63110,"identifier":"9.1-139","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-139","url":"\/9.1-139\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-139\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-139","dublin_core":{"Title":"Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-139","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall engage in the private security services business<\/span> or solicit private security business in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license from the Department<\/span>. No person shall be issued a private security services business<\/span> license until a compliance agent<\/span> is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department<\/span>. The compliance agent<\/span> shall ensure the compliance of the private security services business<\/span> with this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person shall act as a private security services training school<\/span> or solicit students for private security training in the Commonwealth without being certified by the Department<\/span>. No person shall be issued a private security services training school<\/span> certification<\/span> until a school director is designated in writing on forms provided by the Department<\/span>. The school director shall ensure the compliance of the school with the provisions of this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No person shall be employed<\/span> by a licensed private security services business<\/span> in the Commonwealth as armored car personnel<\/span>, courier<\/span>, armed security officer<\/span>, detector canine handler<\/span>, unarmed security officer<\/span>, security canine handler<\/span>, private investigator<\/span>, personal protection specialist<\/span>, alarm respondent<\/span>, locksmith<\/span>, central station dispatcher<\/span>, electronic security sales representative<\/span>, electronic security technician<\/span>’s assistant, or electronic security technician<\/span> without possessing a valid registration<\/span> issued by the Department<\/span>, except as provided in this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a licensed private security services business<\/span> may hire as an independent contractor a personal protection specialist<\/span> or private investigator<\/span> who has been issued a registration<\/span> by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A temporary license may be issued in accordance with Board<\/span> regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary license until (i) he has designated a compliance agent<\/span> who has complied with the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board<\/span> pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141<\/a> for compliance agents<\/span>, (ii) each principal of the business has submitted his fingerprints for a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board<\/span> regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No person shall be employed<\/span> by a licensed private security services business<\/span> in the Commonwealth unless such person is certified or registered in accordance with this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> A temporary registration<\/span> may be issued in accordance with Board<\/span> regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary registration<\/span> until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board<\/span>, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141<\/a>, for armored car personnel<\/span>, couriers<\/span>, armed security officers<\/span>, detector canine handlers<\/span>, unarmed security officers<\/span>, security canine handlers<\/span>, private investigators<\/span>, personal protection specialists<\/span>, alarm respondents<\/span>, locksmith<\/span>, central station dispatchers<\/span>, electronic security sales representatives<\/span>, electronic security technician<\/span>’s assistants, or electronic security technicians<\/span>, (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (iii) met all other requirements of this article and Board<\/span> regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> A temporary certification<\/span> as a private security instructor or private security training school may be issued in accordance with Board<\/span> regulations for the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search. However, no person shall be issued a temporary certification<\/span> as a private security services instructor<\/span> until he has (i) met the education, training and experience requirements established by the Board<\/span> and (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. No person shall be issued a temporary certification<\/span> as a private security services training school<\/span> until (a) he has designated a training director, (b) each principal of the training school has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (c) he has met all other requirements of this article and Board<\/span> regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> A licensed private security services business<\/span> in the Commonwealth shall not employ as an unarmed security officer<\/span>, electronic security technician<\/span>’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent<\/span>, central station dispatcher<\/span>, electronic security sales representative<\/span>, locksmith<\/span>, or electronic security technician<\/span>, any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board<\/span>, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141<\/a>, except that such person may be so employed<\/span> for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> No person shall be employed<\/span> as an electronic security employee<\/span>, electronic security technician<\/span>’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent<\/span>, locksmith<\/span>, central station dispatcher<\/span>, electronic security sales representative<\/span>, electronic security technician<\/span> or supervisor<\/span> until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department<\/span> to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an out-of-state central station dispatcher<\/span> meeting the requirements of subdivision 19 of § 9.1-140<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> The compliance agent<\/span> of each licensed private security services business<\/span> in the Commonwealth shall maintain documentary evidence<\/span> that each private security registrant and certified employee employed<\/span> by his private security services business<\/span> has complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards required by the Board<\/span>. Before January 1, 2003, the compliance agent<\/span> shall ensure that an investigation to determine suitability of each unarmed security officer<\/span> employee has been conducted, except that any such unarmed security officer<\/span>, upon initiating a request for such investigation under the provisions of subdivision A 11 of § 19.2-389<\/a>, may be employed<\/span> for up to 30 days pending completion of such investigation. After January 1, 2003, no person shall be employed<\/span> as an unarmed security officer<\/span> until he has submitted his fingerprints to the Department<\/span> for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. Any person who was employed<\/span> as an unarmed security officer<\/span> prior to January 1, 2003, shall submit his fingerprints to the Department<\/span> in accordance with subsection B of § 9.1-145<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

K.<\/span> No person with a criminal conviction<\/span> for a misdemeanor<\/span> involving (i) moral turpitude<\/span>, (ii) assault<\/span> and battery<\/span>, (iii) damage to real or personal property, (iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any felony<\/span> shall be (a) employed<\/span> as a registered or certified employee by a private security services business<\/span> or training school, or (b) issued a private security services registration<\/span>, certification<\/span> as an unarmed security officer<\/span>, electronic security employee<\/span> or technician’s assistant, a private security services training school<\/span> or instructor certification<\/span>, compliance agent<\/span> certification<\/span>, or a private security services business<\/span> license, except that, upon written request, the Director of the Department<\/span> may waive<\/span> such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such waiver<\/span> shall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and shall state the reasons for such decision. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

L.<\/span> The Department<\/span> may grant a temporary exemption from the requirement for licensure, certification<\/span>, or registration<\/span> for a period of not more than 30 days in a situation deemed an emergency by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

M.<\/span> All private security services businesses and private security services training schools<\/span> in the Commonwealth shall include their license or certification<\/span> number on all business advertising materials<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

N.<\/span> A licensed private security services business<\/span> in the Commonwealth shall not employ as armored car personnel<\/span> any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the Board<\/span> pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141<\/a>, except such person may serve as a driver of an armored car for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards, provided such person does not possess or have access to a firearm while serving as a driver. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSING, CERTIFICATION, AND REGISTRATION REQUIRED; QUALIFICATIONS; TEMPORARY\nLICENSES (\u00a7 9.1-139)\n\nA. No person shall engage in the private security services business or solicit\nprivate security business in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license\nfrom the Department. No person shall be issued a private security services\nbusiness license until a compliance agent is designated in writing on forms\nprovided by the Department. The compliance agent shall ensure the compliance of\nthe private security services business with this article and shall meet the\nqualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the\nBoard.\n\nB. No person shall act as a private security services training school or solicit\nstudents for private security training in the Commonwealth without being\ncertified by the Department. No person shall be issued a private security\nservices training school certification until a school director is designated in\nwriting on forms provided by the Department. The school director shall ensure\nthe compliance of the school with the provisions of this article and shall meet\nthe qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by\nthe Board.\n\nC. No person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business\nin the Commonwealth as armored car personnel, courier, armed security officer,\ndetector canine handler, unarmed security officer, security canine handler,\nprivate investigator, personal protection specialist, alarm respondent,\nlocksmith, central station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative,\nelectronic security technician’s assistant, or electronic security\ntechnician without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department,\nexcept as provided in this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of this\narticle, a licensed private security services business may hire as an\nindependent contractor a personal protection specialist or private investigator\nwho has been issued a registration by the Department.\n\nD. A temporary license may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for\nthe purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint\nsearch. However, no person shall be issued a temporary license until (i) he has\ndesignated a compliance agent who has complied with the compulsory minimum\ntraining standards established by the Board pursuant to subsection A of §\n9.1-141 for compliance agents, (ii) each principal of the business has submitted\nhis fingerprints for a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal\nHistory Records search, and (iii) he has met all other requirements of this\narticle and Board regulations.\n\nE. No person shall be employed by a licensed private security services business\nin the Commonwealth unless such person is certified or registered in accordance\nwith this chapter.\n\nF. A temporary registration may be issued in accordance with Board regulations\nfor the purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint\nsearch. However, no person shall be issued a temporary registration until he has\n(i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training\nstandards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141,\nfor armored car personnel, couriers, armed security officers, detector canine\nhandlers, unarmed security officers, security canine handlers, private\ninvestigators, personal protection specialists, alarm respondents, locksmith,\ncentral station dispatchers, electronic security sales representatives,\nelectronic security technician’s assistants, or electronic security\ntechnicians, (ii) submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a\nNational Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search,\nand (iii) met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.\n\nG. A temporary certification as a private security instructor or private\nsecurity training school may be issued in accordance with Board regulations for\nthe purpose of awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint\nsearch. However, no person shall be issued a temporary certification as a\nprivate security services instructor until he has (i) met the education,\ntraining and experience requirements established by the Board and (ii) submitted\nhis fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records\nsearch and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. No person shall be issued\na temporary certification as a private security services training school until\n(a) he has designated a training director, (b) each principal of the training\nschool has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a National\nCriminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search, and (c)\nhe has met all other requirements of this article and Board regulations.\n\nH. A licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not\nemploy as an unarmed security officer, electronic security technician’s\nassistant, unarmed alarm respondent, central station dispatcher, electronic\nsecurity sales representative, locksmith, or electronic security technician, any\nperson who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum\ntraining standards established by the Board, pursuant to subsection A of §\n9.1-141, except that such person may be so employed for not more than 90 days\nwhile completing compulsory minimum training standards.\n\nI. No person shall be employed as an electronic security employee, electronic\nsecurity technician’s assistant, unarmed alarm respondent, locksmith,\ncentral station dispatcher, electronic security sales representative, electronic\nsecurity technician or supervisor until he has submitted his fingerprints to the\nDepartment to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and\na Virginia Criminal History Records search. The provisions of this subsection\nshall not apply to an out-of-state central station dispatcher meeting the\nrequirements of subdivision 19 of § 9.1-140.\n\nJ. The compliance agent of each licensed private security services business in\nthe Commonwealth shall maintain documentary evidence that each private security\nregistrant and certified employee employed by his private security services\nbusiness has complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum\ntraining standards required by the Board. Before January 1, 2003, the compliance\nagent shall ensure that an investigation to determine suitability of each\nunarmed security officer employee has been conducted, except that any such\nunarmed security officer, upon initiating a request for such investigation under\nthe provisions of subdivision A 11 of § 19.2-389, may be employed for up to\n30 days pending completion of such investigation. After January 1, 2003, no\nperson shall be employed as an unarmed security officer until he has submitted\nhis fingerprints to the Department for the conduct of a National Criminal\nRecords search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. Any person who\nwas employed as an unarmed security officer prior to January 1, 2003, shall\nsubmit his fingerprints to the Department in accordance with subsection B of\n§ 9.1-145.\n\nK. No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (i) moral\nturpitude, (ii) assault and battery, (iii) damage to real or personal property,\n(iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in\nArticle 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited\nsexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4\nof Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any felony shall be (a) employed as a\nregistered or certified employee by a private security services business or\ntraining school, or (b) issued a private security services registration,\ncertification as an unarmed security officer, electronic security employee or\ntechnician’s assistant, a private security services training school or\ninstructor certification, compliance agent certification, or a private security\nservices business license, except that, upon written request, the Director of\nthe Department may waive such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such waiver\nshall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and\nshall state the reasons for such decision.\n\nL. The Department may grant a temporary exemption from the requirement for\nlicensure, certification, or registration for a period of not more than 30 days\nin a situation deemed an emergency by the Department.\n\nM. All private security services businesses and private security services\ntraining schools in the Commonwealth shall include their license or\ncertification number on all business advertising materials.\n\nN. A licensed private security services business in the Commonwealth shall not\nemploy as armored car personnel any person who has not complied with, or been\nexempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the\nBoard pursuant to subsection A of § 9.1-141, except such person may serve\nas a driver of an armored car for not more than 90 days while completing\ncompulsory minimum training standards, provided such person does not possess or\nhave access to a firearm while serving as a driver.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 737, \u00a7 54-729.29; 1977, c. 376, \u00a7 54.1-1902; 1978, cc. 28,\n428; 1984, cc. 57, 779; 1988, cc. 48, 765; 1991, c. 589; 1992, c. 578, \u00a7\n9-183.3; 1994, cc. 45, 47, 810; 1995, c. 79; 1996, c. 541; 1998, cc. 53, 122,\n807; 2000, c. 26; 2001, cc. 821, 844; 2002, cc. 578, 597; 2003, c. 124; 2004, c.\n470; 2008, c. 638; 2015, c. 202; 2016, c. 561; 2018, c. 214.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}