<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>69682</law_id><section_number>9.1-138</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-308.1</reference><reference>18.2-60.3</reference><reference>18.2-60.5</reference><reference>19.2-13</reference><reference>2.2-3705.3</reference><reference>22.1-289.046</reference><reference>23.1-3127</reference><reference>24.2-604</reference><reference>24.2-671</reference><reference>24.2-802.1</reference><reference>46.2-1052</reference><reference>46.2-1243</reference><reference>46.2-208</reference><reference>54.1-1103</reference><reference>59.1-335.2</reference><reference>9.1-102</reference><reference>9.1-140</reference><reference>9.1-141</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="9.1">Commonwealth Public Safety</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Department of Criminal Justice Services</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Private Security Services Businesses</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In addition to the definitions set forth in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions" href="/9.1-101/">9.1-101</a>, as used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Alarm respondent</span>&#x201D; means an individual who responds to the signal of an alarm for the purpose of detecting an intrusion of the home, business or property of the <span class="dictionary">end user</span>.
		&#x201C;Armed&#x201D; means a private security registrant who carries or has immediate access to a firearm in the performance of his duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Armed security officer</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">natural person</span> <span class="dictionary">employed</span> to (i) safeguard and protect persons and property or (ii) deter theft, loss, or concealment of any tangible or intangible personal property on the premises he is contracted to protect, and who carries or has access to a firearm in the performance of his duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Armored car personnel</span>&#x201D; means persons who transport or offer to transport under armed security from one place to another, money, negotiable instruments or other valuables in a specially equipped motor vehicle with a high degree of security and certainty of delivery.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Business advertising material</span>&#x201D; means display advertisements in telephone directories, letterhead, business cards, local newspaper advertising, <span class="dictionary">contracts</span>, and any electronic medium, including the Internet, social media, and digital advertising.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Central station dispatcher</span>&#x201D; means an individual who monitors burglar alarm signal devices, burglar alarms or any other electrical, mechanical or electronic device used (i) to prevent or detect <span class="dictionary">burglary</span>, theft, <span class="dictionary">shoplifting</span>, pilferage or similar losses; (ii) to prevent or detect intrusion; or (iii) primarily to summon aid for other emergencies.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Certification</span>&#x201D; means the method of regulation indicating that qualified persons have met the minimum requirements as <span class="dictionary">private security services training schools</span>, <span class="dictionary">private security services instructors</span>, <span class="dictionary">compliance agents</span>, or certified <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">detector canine handler</span> examiners</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Compliance agent</span>&#x201D; means an individual who owns or is <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by a licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> to ensure the compliance of the <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> with this title.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Computer or digital forensic services</span>&#x201D; means the use of highly specialized expertise for the recovery, authentication, and analysis of electronic data or computer usage.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Courier</span>&#x201D; means any armed person who transports or offers to transport from one place to another documents or other papers, negotiable or nonnegotiable instruments, or other small items of value that require expeditious services.
		&#x201C;Detector canine&#x201D; means any dog that detects drugs or explosives.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Detector canine handler</span>&#x201D; means any individual who uses a detector canine in the performance of private security duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Detector canine handler</span> examiner</span>&#x201D; means any individual who examines the proficiency and reliability of <span class="dictionary">detector canines</span> and <span class="dictionary">detector canine handlers</span> in the detection of drugs or explosives.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Detector canine team</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">detector canine handler</span> and his detector canine performing private security duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security business</span>&#x201D; means any person who engages in the business of or undertakes to (i) install, service, maintain, design or consult in the design of any <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span> to an <span class="dictionary">end user</span>; (ii) respond to or cause a response to <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span> for an <span class="dictionary">end user</span>; or (iii) have access to confidential information concerning the design, extent, status, password, contact list, or location of an <span class="dictionary">end user</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security employee</span>&#x201D; means an individual who is <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by an <span class="dictionary">electronic security business</span> in any capacity which may give him access to information concerning the design, extent, status, password, contact list, or location of an <span class="dictionary">end user</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security equipment</span>&#x201D; means (i) electronic or mechanical alarm signaling devices including burglar alarms or holdup alarms used to safeguard and protect persons and property; or (ii) cameras used to detect intrusions, concealment or theft, to safeguard and protect persons and property. This shall not include tags, labels, and other devices that are attached or affixed to items offered for sale, library books, and other protected articles as part of an electronic article surveillance and theft detection and deterrence system.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security sales representative</span>&#x201D; means an individual who sells <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span> on behalf of an <span class="dictionary">electronic security business</span> to the <span class="dictionary">end user</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security technician</span>&#x201D; means an individual who installs, services, maintains or repairs <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistant&#x201D; means an individual who works as a laborer under the supervision of the <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span> in the course of his normal duties, but who may not make connections to any <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Employed</span>&#x201D; means to be in an employer/employee relationship where the employee is providing work in exchange for compensation and the employer directly controls the employee&#x2019;s conduct and pays some taxes on behalf of the employee. The term &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">employed</span>&#x201D; shall not be construed to include independent contractors.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">End user</span>&#x201D; means any person who purchases or leases <span class="dictionary">electronic security equipment</span> for use in that person&#x2019;s home or business.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Firearms training verification</span>&#x201D; means the verification of successful completion of either initial or retraining requirements for handgun or shotgun training, or both.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">General public</span>&#x201D; means individuals who have access to areas open to all and not restricted to any particular class of the community.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Key cutting</span>&#x201D; means making duplicate keys from an existing key and includes no other <span class="dictionary">locksmith services</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">License number</span>&#x201D; means the official number issued to a <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>.
		&#x201C;Locksmith&#x201D; means any individual that performs <span class="dictionary">locksmith services</span>, or advertises or represents to the <span class="dictionary">general public</span> that the individual is a locksmith even if the specific term locksmith is substituted with any other term by which a reasonable person could <span class="dictionary">construe</span> that the individual possesses special skills relating to locks or locking devices, including use of the words lock technician, lockman, safe technician, safeman, boxman, unlocking technician, lock installer, lock opener, physical security technician or similar descriptions.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Locksmith services</span>&#x201D; mean selling, servicing, rebuilding, repairing, rekeying, repinning, changing the combination to an electronic or mechanical locking device; programming either keys to a device or the device to accept electronic controlled keys; originating keys for locks or copying keys; adjusting or installing locks or deadbolts, mechanical or electronic locking devices, egress control devices, safes, and vaults; opening, defeating or bypassing locks or latching mechanisms in a manner other than intended by the manufacturer; with or without compensation for the <span class="dictionary">general public</span> or on property not his own nor under his own control or authority.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Natural person</span>&#x201D; means an individual person.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Personal protection specialist</span>&#x201D; means any individual who engages in the duties of providing close protection from bodily harm to any person.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Private investigator</span>&#x201D; means any individual who engages in the business of, or accepts employment to make, investigations to obtain information on (i) <span class="dictionary">crimes</span> or civil wrongs; (ii) the location, <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, or recovery of stolen property; (iii) the cause of accidents, fires, <span class="dictionary">damages</span>, or injuries to persons or to property; or (iv) <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> to be used before any <span class="dictionary">court</span>, <span class="dictionary">board</span>, officer, or investigative committee.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Private security services business</span>&#x201D; means any person engaged in the business of providing, or who undertakes to provide, <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span>, security officers, <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialists</span>, <span class="dictionary">private investigators</span>, <span class="dictionary">couriers</span>, <span class="dictionary">security canine handlers</span>, <span class="dictionary">security canine teams</span>, <span class="dictionary">detector canine handlers</span>, <span class="dictionary">detector canine teams</span>, <span class="dictionary">alarm respondents</span>, <span class="dictionary">locksmiths</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatchers</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security employees</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representatives</span> or <span class="dictionary">electronic security technicians</span> and their assistants to another person under <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, express or implied.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Private security services instructor</span>&#x201D; means any individual certified by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to provide mandated instruction in private security subjects for a certified <span class="dictionary">private security services training school</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Private security services registrant</span>&#x201D; means any qualified individual who has met the requirements under this article to perform the duties of <span class="dictionary">alarm respondent</span>, locksmith, <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span>, <span class="dictionary">courier</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representative</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistant, <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialist</span>, <span class="dictionary">private investigator</span>, <span class="dictionary">security canine handler</span>, <span class="dictionary">detector canine handler</span>, <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span> or <span class="dictionary">armed security officer</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Private security services training school</span>&#x201D; means any person certified by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to provide instruction in private security subjects for the training of <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> personnel in accordance with this article.
		&#x201C;Registration&#x201D; means a method of regulation whereby certain personnel <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by a <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> are required to register with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> pursuant to this article.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Registration category</span>&#x201D; means any one of the following categories: (i) <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span> and <span class="dictionary">armed security officer</span>/<span class="dictionary">courier</span>, (ii) <span class="dictionary">security canine handler</span>, (iii) <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span>, (iv) <span class="dictionary">private investigator</span>, (v) <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialist</span>, (vi) <span class="dictionary">alarm respondent</span>, (vii) <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span>, (viii) <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representative</span>, (ix) <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>, (x) electronic technician&#x2019;s assistant, (xi) <span class="dictionary">detector canine handler</span>, or (xii) locksmith.
		&#x201C;Security canine&#x201D; means a dog that has attended, completed, and been certified as a security canine by a certified <span class="dictionary">security canine handler</span> instructor in accordance with approved <span class="dictionary">Department</span> procedures and <span class="dictionary">certification</span> guidelines. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Security canines</span></span>&#x201D; shall not include detector dogs.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Security canine handler</span>&#x201D; means any individual who utilizes his security canine in the performance of private security duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Security canine team</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">security canine handler</span> and his security canine performing private security duties.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Supervisor</span>&#x201D; means any individual who directly or indirectly supervises registered or certified <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> personnel.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Unarmed security officer</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">natural person</span> who performs the functions of observation, detection, reporting, or notification of appropriate authorities or designated agents regarding persons or property on the premises he is contracted to protect, and who does not carry or have access to a firearm in the performance of his duties.</p></section></text><history>1976, c. 737, &#xA7; 54-729.27; 1977, c. 376, &#xA7; 54.1-1900; 1980, c. 425, cc. 57, 779; 1988, c. 765; 1992, c. 578, &#xA7; 9-183.1; 1994, cc. 45, 335, 810; 1995, c. 79; 1996, c. 541; 1997, c. 80; 1998, cc. 122, 807; 1999, c. 33; 2001, cc. 821, 844; 2003, c. 124; 2004, c. 470; 2005, c. 365; 2008, c. 638; 2009, c. 375; 2011, c. 263; 2017, c. 85.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
