Licensing

The following information reviews the requirements necessary for each license, permit or certificate issued by Private Protective Services. In addition, license applicants are responsible for complying with relevant North Carolina law (see N.C. General Statute 74C and the Board's Administrative Rules and Regulations under 12 NCAC 7D).

Requirements to obtain a license

All applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Be a US citizen or a resident alien.
Be of good moral character and temperate habits (no criminal record, etc.).

Counterintelligence License:
Three years of experience within the past ten years in counterintelligence, or successful completion of a counterintelligence course at a Board approved school. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(3), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0402]. For a list of approved schools, see Training.

Private Investigator License:
Three years of experience within the past ten years in private investigative work, or three years within the past ten years in an investigative capacity as a member of a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(8), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0401].

Reciprocity - The Board currently has reciprocal licensing agreements with several states. These agreements allow currently licensed private investigators from states to come into North Carolina for a specific period of time (30 days maximum, except for Tennessee, which is 15 days) to work a case which originated in their home state. Likewise, licensed North Carolina investigators may enter that state to work a case originating there. Investigations exceeding the time limits must be handled by a private investigator licensed in the particular state. See Reciprocal Agreements.

Security Guard and Patrol License:
Three years of experience within the past ten years as a manager, supervisor, or administrator with a contract security company, a proprietary security organization or law enforcement agency performing a guard and patrol function. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(6), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0301].

Polygraph License:
Successful completion of a Polygraph course at a Board approved school, successful completion of an examination and performance test administered by a panel of polygraph examiners designated by the Board, and one year of experience within the past three years. Note: If you do not have one year of experience, you will be required to complete six months as a trainee. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(5), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0500]. For a list of approved schools, see Training.

Reciprocity - The Board currently has reciprocal licensing agreements with several states. These agreements allow for currently licensed polygraph operators in these states to obtain a license in North Carolina without having to take the examination and performance test administered by the Board. Likewise, currently licensed North Carolina polygraph operators may obtain a license in these states without having to take their examination and performance test. IMPORTANT NOTE: These agreements do not exempt persons from obtaining a license, but rather, only from the testing requirements. See Reciprocal Agreements.

Guard Dog Service License:
Two years of experience within the past ten years as a manager, supervisor, administrator, or dog handler with a contract security company, proprietary security organization or a governmental agency performing guard dog functions. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(7), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0300].

Psychological Stress Examiners License:
Successful completion of an approved P.S.E. school. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(5), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D .0600]. There are no approved schools at this time. The Board will have to approve the curriculum at the time of the application.

Armored Car Profession License:
No experience required.

Courier Service Profession License:
Two (2) years experience performing courier functions within the past ten (10) years, as a manager, supervisor, administrator, or courier with a contract security or courier company, proprietary security organization, governmental agency, or the U.S. Armed Forces. [See G.S. 74C-3(a)(4), 74C-8, 74C-9, 74C-10, 12 NCAC 7D.1200].

Firearms Trainer:
Must meet the minimum standards established by 12 NCAC 7D .0703 [Security guard registration]; have a minimum of one year supervisory experience in security with a contract security company or proprietary security organization or one year experience with any federal, U.S. Military, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency; successfully complete a training course approved by the Board and the Attorney General that includes a minimum of 40 hours of classroom and practical range training in handgun and shotgun safety and maintenance, range operation, night firearm training, control and safety procedures, and methods of handgun and shotgun firing [See 74C-5, 74C-9, 74C-10, 74C-13, NCAC 7D .0900]; attain a 90 percent score on the approved firearms qualification courses; and must complete the Firearms Trainer course prior to applying.

Persons interested in attending the Firearms Trainer Course should submit a written request to the PPS office. Applicants meeting the requirements will be notified once selected to attend the class. The North Carolina Justice Academy is currently the only agency approved to conduct this course.

Applying for a License

If, after reviewing the above requirements, you determine that you qualify for a license, see the Application Checklist.

Notice to Current License Holders

If you currently hold a PPS license, a renewal application will be mailed to your address of record 90 days prior to the expiration of the license(s). If you wish to apply for an additional license, a change of status, change of company, or any other changes, you should contact the PPS licensing staff directly for instructions and application forms.