{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-142.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-142.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-142.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-142.html"}],"law_id":75892,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75892,"structure_id":14163,"section_number":"9.1-142","catch_line":"Powers of Department relating to private security services businesses","history":"1976, c. 737, \u00a7 54-729.30; 1977, c. 376, \u00a7 54.1-1903; 1984, cc. 57, 779; 1985, c. 448; 1988, c. 765; 1991, c. 589; 1992, c. 578, \u00a7 9-183.4; 1994, c. 46; 1998, cc. 122, 807; 2001, c. 844.","full_text":"A\n\nIn addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Department may:1\n\nCharge each applicant for licensure, certification or registration a nonrefundable fee as established by the Board to cover the costs of the Department for processing an application for a registration, certification or license, and enforcement of these regulations, and other costs associated with the maintenance of this program of regulation.2\n\nCharge nonrefundable fees for private security services training as established by the Board for processing school certifications and enforcement of training standards.3\n\nConduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for registration, licensure, or certification of compliance agents, training schools, and instructors. For purposes of this investigation, the Department shall have access to criminal history record information maintained by the Central Criminal Records Exchange of the Department of State Police and shall conduct a background investigation, to include a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search.4\n\nIssue subpoenas. The Director or a designated subordinate may make an ex parte application to the circuit court for the city or county wherein evidence sought is kept or wherein a licensee does business, for the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum in furtherance of the investigation of a sworn complaint within the jurisdiction of the Department or the Board to request production of any relevant records, documents and physical or other evidence of any person, partnership, association or corporation licensed or regulated by the Department pursuant to this article. The court may issue and compel compliance with such a subpoena upon a showing of reasonable cause. Upon determining that reasonable cause exists to believe that evidence may be destroyed or altered, the court may issue a subpoena duces tecum requiring the immediate production of evidence.5\n\nRecover costs of the investigation and adjudication of violations of this article or Board regulations. Such costs may be recovered from the respondent when a sanction is imposed to fine or place on probation, suspend, revoke, or deny the issuance of any license, certification, or registration. Such costs shall be in addition to any monetary penalty which may be imposed. All costs recovered shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Private Security Services Regulatory Fund.6\n\nInstitute proceedings to enjoin any person from engaging in any unlawful act enumerated in § 9.1-147. Such proceedings shall be brought in the name of the Commonwealth by the Department in circuit court of the city or county in which the unlawful act occurred or in which the defendant resides.B\n\nThe Director, or agents appointed by him, shall be vested with the authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of this article, or any Board regulation promulgated pursuant to authority given by this article. Information concerning alleged criminal violations shall be turned over to law-enforcement officers in appropriate jurisdictions. Agents shall be vested with authority to serve such paper or process issued by the Department or the Board under regulations approved by the Board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272480,"text":"In addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Department may:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":272481,"text":"Charge each applicant for licensure, certification or registration a nonrefundable fee as established by the Board to cover the costs of the Department for processing an application for a registration, certification or license, and enforcement of these regulations, and other costs associated with the maintenance of this program of regulation.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":272482,"text":"Charge nonrefundable fees for private security services training as established by the Board for processing school certifications and enforcement of training standards.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":272483,"text":"Conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for registration, licensure, or certification of compliance agents, training schools, and instructors. For purposes of this investigation, the Department shall have access to criminal history record information maintained by the Central Criminal Records Exchange of the Department of State Police and shall conduct a background investigation, to include a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":272484,"text":"Issue subpoenas. The Director or a designated subordinate may make an ex parte application to the circuit court for the city or county wherein evidence sought is kept or wherein a licensee does business, for the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum in furtherance of the investigation of a sworn complaint within the jurisdiction of the Department or the Board to request production of any relevant records, documents and physical or other evidence of any person, partnership, association or corporation licensed or regulated by the Department pursuant to this article. The court may issue and compel compliance with such a subpoena upon a showing of reasonable cause. Upon determining that reasonable cause exists to believe that evidence may be destroyed or altered, the court may issue a subpoena duces tecum requiring the immediate production of evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":272485,"text":"Recover costs of the investigation and adjudication of violations of this article or Board regulations. Such costs may be recovered from the respondent when a sanction is imposed to fine or place on probation, suspend, revoke, or deny the issuance of any license, certification, or registration. Such costs shall be in addition to any monetary penalty which may be imposed. All costs recovered shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Private Security Services Regulatory Fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":272486,"text":"Institute proceedings to enjoin any person from engaging in any unlawful act enumerated in § 9.1-147. Such proceedings shall be brought in the name of the Commonwealth by the Department in circuit court of the city or county in which the unlawful act occurred or in which the defendant resides.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B"},"7":{"id":272487,"text":"The Director, or agents appointed by him, shall be vested with the authority to administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of this article, or any Board regulation promulgated pursuant to authority given by this article. Information concerning alleged criminal violations shall be turned over to law-enforcement officers in appropriate jurisdictions. Agents shall be vested with authority to serve such paper or process issued by the Department or the Board under regulations approved by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A6"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-142\/","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 9 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 1984, chapters 57 and 779; in 1985, chapter 448; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1991, chapter 589; in 1992, chapter 578; in 1994, chapter 46<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 122<\/a> and 807<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":63070,"section_number":"9.1-147","catch_line":"Unlawful conduct generally; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-147\/"}],"permalink":{"id":284897,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75892,"identifier":"9.1-142","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-142","url":"\/9.1-142\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-142\/","token":"9.1\/1\/4\/9.1-142","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers of Department relating to private security services businesses","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-142","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by law<\/span>, the Department<\/span> may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Charge each applicant for licensure, certification<\/span> or registration<\/span> a nonrefundable fee as established by the Board<\/span> to cover the costs of the Department<\/span> for processing an application for a registration<\/span>, certification<\/span> or license, and enforcement of these regulations, and other costs associated with the maintenance of this program of regulation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Charge nonrefundable fees for private security services training as established by the Board<\/span> for processing school certifications<\/span> and enforcement of training standards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for registration<\/span>, licensure, or certification<\/span> of compliance agents<\/span>, training schools, and instructors. For purposes of this investigation, the Department<\/span> shall have access to criminal history record information<\/span> maintained by the Central Criminal Records Exchange of the Department<\/span> of State Police<\/span> and shall conduct a background investigation, to include a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Issue<\/span> subpoenas<\/span>. The Director or a designated subordinate may make an ex parte<\/span> application to the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the city or county wherein evidence<\/span> sought is kept or wherein a licensee does business, for the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum<\/span> in furtherance of the investigation of a sworn complaint within the jurisdiction<\/span> of the Department<\/span> or the Board<\/span> to request production of any relevant records, documents and physical or other evidence<\/span> of any person, partnership, association or corporation licensed or regulated by the Department<\/span> pursuant to this article. The court<\/span> may issue<\/span> and compel compliance with such a subpoena upon a showing of reasonable cause. Upon determining that reasonable cause exists to believe that evidence<\/span> may be destroyed or altered, the court<\/span> may issue<\/span> a subpoena duces tecum<\/span> requiring the immediate production of evidence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Recover costs of the investigation and adjudication of violations of this article or Board<\/span> regulations. Such costs may be recovered from the respondent when a sanction<\/span> is imposed to fine or place on probation<\/span>, suspend, revoke, or deny the issuance of any license, certification<\/span>, or registration<\/span>. Such costs shall be in addition to any monetary penalty<\/span> which may be imposed. All costs recovered shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the Private Security Services Regulatory Fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Institute proceedings to enjoin any person from engaging in any unlawful act enumerated in § 9.1-147<\/a>. Such proceedings shall be brought in the name of the Commonwealth by the Department<\/span> in circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of the city or county in which the unlawful act occurred or in which the defendant<\/span> resides. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Director, or agents appointed by him, shall be vested with the authority to administer oaths<\/span> or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and conducting investigations of violations of this article, or any Board<\/span> regulation promulgated pursuant to authority given by this article. Information concerning alleged criminal violations shall be turned over to law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> in appropriate jurisdictions<\/span>. Agents shall be vested with authority to serve such paper or process issued by the Department<\/span> or the Board<\/span> under regulations approved by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS OF DEPARTMENT RELATING TO PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES BUSINESSES (\u00a7\n9.1-142)\n\nA. In addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Department\nmay:\n\n 1. Charge each applicant for licensure, certification or registration a\n nonrefundable fee as established by the Board to cover the costs of the\n Department for processing an application for a registration, certification or\n license, and enforcement of these regulations, and other costs associated with\n the maintenance of this program of regulation.\n\n 2. Charge nonrefundable fees for private security services training as\n established by the Board for processing school certifications and enforcement\n of training standards.\n\n 3. Conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for\n registration, licensure, or certification of compliance agents, training\n schools, and instructors. For purposes of this investigation, the Department\n shall have access to criminal history record information maintained by the\n Central Criminal Records Exchange of the Department of State Police and shall\n conduct a background investigation, to include a National Criminal Records\n search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search.\n\n 4. Issue subpoenas. The Director or a designated subordinate may make an ex\n parte application to the circuit court for the city or county wherein evidence\n sought is kept or wherein a licensee does business, for the issuance of a\n subpoena duces tecum in furtherance of the investigation of a sworn complaint\n within the jurisdiction of the Department or the Board to request production\n of any relevant records, documents and physical or other evidence of any\n person, partnership, association or corporation licensed or regulated by the\n Department pursuant to this article. The court may issue and compel compliance\n with such a subpoena upon a showing of reasonable cause. Upon determining that\n reasonable cause exists to believe that evidence may be destroyed or altered,\n the court may issue a subpoena duces tecum requiring the immediate production\n of evidence.\n\n 5. Recover costs of the investigation and adjudication of violations of this\n article or Board regulations. Such costs may be recovered from the respondent\n when a sanction is imposed to fine or place on probation, suspend, revoke, or\n deny the issuance of any license, certification, or registration. Such costs\n shall be in addition to any monetary penalty which may be imposed. All costs\n recovered shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the\n Private Security Services Regulatory Fund.\n\n 6. Institute proceedings to enjoin any person from engaging in any unlawful\n act enumerated in § 9.1-147. Such proceedings shall be brought in the\n name of the Commonwealth by the Department in circuit court of the city or\n county in which the unlawful act occurred or in which the defendant resides.\n\nB. The Director, or agents appointed by him, shall be vested with the authority\nto administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints and\nconducting investigations of violations of this article, or any Board regulation\npromulgated pursuant to authority given by this article. Information concerning\nalleged criminal violations shall be turned over to law-enforcement officers in\nappropriate jurisdictions. Agents shall be vested with authority to serve such\npaper or process issued by the Department or the Board under regulations\napproved by the Board.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 737, \u00a7 54-729.30; 1977, c. 376, \u00a7 54.1-1903; 1984, cc. 57,\n779; 1985, c. 448; 1988, c. 765; 1991, c. 589; 1992, c. 578, \u00a7 9-183.4; 1994,\nc. 46; 1998, cc. 122, 807; 2001, c. 844.","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}}