<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63110</law_id><section_number>9.1-139</section_number><catch_line>Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-340.33</reference><reference>18.2-60.3</reference><reference>18.2-60.5</reference><reference>23.1-3127</reference><reference>6.2-1902</reference><reference>6.2-1923</reference><reference>9.1-140</reference><reference>9.1-144</reference><reference>9.1-149</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 id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No person shall engage in the <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> or solicit private security business in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license from the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. No person shall be issued a <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> license until a <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> is designated in writing on forms provided by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. The <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> shall ensure the compliance of the <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> with this article and shall meet the qualifications and perform the duties required by the regulations adopted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-230167" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No person shall act as a <span class="dictionary">private security services training school</span> or solicit students for private security training in the Commonwealth without being certified by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. No person shall be issued a <span class="dictionary">private security services training school</span> <span class="dictionary">certification</span> until a school director is designated in writing on forms provided by the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-230168" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No person shall be <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by a licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> in the Commonwealth as <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span>, <span class="dictionary">courier</span>, <span class="dictionary">armed security officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">detector canine handler</span>, <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">security canine handler</span>, <span class="dictionary">private investigator</span>, <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialist</span>, <span class="dictionary">alarm respondent</span>, <span class="dictionary">locksmith</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representative</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistant, or <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span> without possessing a valid <span class="dictionary">registration</span> issued by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, except as provided in this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> may hire as an independent contractor a <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialist</span> or <span class="dictionary">private investigator</span> who has been issued a <span class="dictionary">registration</span> by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. <a id="paragraph-230169" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A temporary license may be issued in accordance with <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> who has complied with the compulsory minimum training standards established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> pursuant to subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers of Board relating to private security services business" href="/9.1-141/">9.1-141</a> for <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations. <a id="paragraph-230170" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> No person shall be <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by a licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> in the Commonwealth unless such person is certified or registered in accordance with this chapter. <a id="paragraph-230171" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A temporary <span class="dictionary">registration</span> may be issued in accordance with <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">registration</span> until he has (i) complied with, or been exempted from the compulsory minimum training standards established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, pursuant to subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers of Board relating to private security services business" href="/9.1-141/">9.1-141</a>, for <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span>, <span class="dictionary">couriers</span>, <span class="dictionary">armed security officers</span>, <span class="dictionary">detector canine handlers</span>, <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officers</span>, <span class="dictionary">security canine handlers</span>, <span class="dictionary">private investigators</span>, <span class="dictionary">personal protection specialists</span>, <span class="dictionary">alarm respondents</span>, <span class="dictionary">locksmith</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatchers</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representatives</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistants, or <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations. <a id="paragraph-230172" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> A temporary <span class="dictionary">certification</span> as a private security instructor or private security training school may be issued in accordance with <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">certification</span> as a <span class="dictionary">private security services instructor</span> until he has (i) met the education, training and experience requirements established by the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">certification</span> as a <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations. <a id="paragraph-230173" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> A licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> in the Commonwealth shall not employ as an <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistant, unarmed <span class="dictionary">alarm respondent</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representative</span>, <span class="dictionary">locksmith</span>, or <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>, any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, pursuant to subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers of Board relating to private security services business" href="/9.1-141/">9.1-141</a>, except that such person may be so <span class="dictionary">employed</span> for not more than 90 days while completing compulsory minimum training standards. <a id="paragraph-230174" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> No person shall be <span class="dictionary">employed</span> as an <span class="dictionary">electronic security employee</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span>&#x2019;s assistant, unarmed <span class="dictionary">alarm respondent</span>, <span class="dictionary">locksmith</span>, <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security sales representative</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security technician</span> or <span class="dictionary">supervisor</span> until he has submitted his fingerprints to the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">central station dispatcher</span> meeting the requirements of subdivision 19 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exceptions from article; training requirements for out-of-state central station dispatchers" href="/9.1-140/">9.1-140</a>. <a id="paragraph-230175" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="J"><p><span class="prefix-number">J.</span> The <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> of each licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> in the Commonwealth shall maintain documentary <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that each private security registrant and certified employee <span class="dictionary">employed</span> by his <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> has complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards required by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. Before January 1, 2003, the <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> shall ensure that an investigation to determine suitability of each <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span> employee has been conducted, except that any such <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span>, upon initiating a request for such investigation under the provisions of subdivision A 11 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Dissemination of criminal history record information" href="/19.2-389/">19.2-389</a>, may be <span class="dictionary">employed</span> for up to 30 days pending completion of such investigation. After January 1, 2003, no person shall be <span class="dictionary">employed</span> as an <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span> until he has submitted his fingerprints to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search. Any person who was <span class="dictionary">employed</span> as an <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span> prior to January 1, 2003, shall submit his fingerprints to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> in accordance with subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fingerprints required; penalty" href="/9.1-145/">9.1-145</a>. <a id="paragraph-230176" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#J"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="K"><p><span class="prefix-number">K.</span> No person with a criminal <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> for a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> involving (i) <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span>, (ii) <span class="dictionary">assault</span> and <span class="dictionary">battery</span>, (iii) damage to real or personal property, (iv) controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Use of terms &quot;controlled substances,&quot; &quot;marijuana,&quot; &quot;Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,&quot; &quot;imitation controlled substance,&quot; and &quot;counterfeit controlled substance&quot; in Title 18.2" href="/18.2-247/">18.2-247</a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, (v) prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rape" href="/18.2-61/">18.2-61</a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, or (vi) firearms, or any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> shall be (a) <span class="dictionary">employed</span> as a registered or certified employee by a <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> or training school, or (b) issued a private security services <span class="dictionary">registration</span>, <span class="dictionary">certification</span> as an <span class="dictionary">unarmed security officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">electronic security employee</span> or technician&#x2019;s assistant, a <span class="dictionary">private security services training school</span> or instructor <span class="dictionary">certification</span>, <span class="dictionary">compliance agent</span> <span class="dictionary">certification</span>, or a <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> license, except that, upon written request, the Director of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> such prohibition. Any grant or denial of such <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> shall be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the written request and shall state the reasons for such decision. <a id="paragraph-230177" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#K"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="L"><p><span class="prefix-number">L.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may grant a temporary exemption from the requirement for licensure, <span class="dictionary">certification</span>, or <span class="dictionary">registration</span> for a period of not more than 30 days in a situation deemed an emergency by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. <a id="paragraph-230178" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#L"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="M"><p><span class="prefix-number">M.</span> All private security services businesses and <span class="dictionary">private security services training schools</span> in the Commonwealth shall include their license or <span class="dictionary">certification</span> number on all <span class="dictionary">business advertising materials</span>. <a id="paragraph-230179" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#M"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="N"><p><span class="prefix-number">N.</span> A licensed <span class="dictionary">private security services business</span> in the Commonwealth shall not employ as <span class="dictionary">armored car personnel</span> any person who has not complied with, or been exempted from, the compulsory minimum training standards established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> pursuant to subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers of Board relating to private security services business" href="/9.1-141/">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. <a id="paragraph-230180" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/9.1-139/#N"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1976, c. 737, &#xA7; 54-729.29; 1977, c. 376, &#xA7; 54.1-1902; 1978, cc. 28, 428; 1984, cc. 57, 779; 1988, cc. 48, 765; 1991, c. 589; 1992, c. 578, &#xA7; 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.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
