Private Investigator, Bail Enforcement Agent, Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency Application
Experience Required:
The law requires every partner, officer or principal in a business to be licensed to conduct business, and one such individual in each business must provide proof of qualifying experience and pass the license examination.
PI / WGP: “Qualifying” applicants should not submit an application until they pass the appropriate written exam and then must provide proof that they meet one of the following minimum levels of experience, or equivalent position and experience:
Private Investigator applicants must have at least three years of full-time investigative experience as an employee of a licensed private investigator or as an investigator for a government investigative agency or police agency;
OR 3 years of full-time equivalent position and experience acquired in a position where the primary duties were to conduct investigations;
OR 3 years of full-time experience supervising and reviewing the work of at least three people performing investigations; OR 20 years of service as a police officer, regardless of specific title;
OR 20 years of full-time service as a Fire Marshall.
Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency applicants must have at least two years of full-time security experience as a sheriff, police officer, security guard in a government agency or with a licensed PI or WGP;
OR 2 years of full-time equivalent position and experience acquired in a position where the primary duties were the performance of security guard duties;
OR 2 years experience supervising and reviewing the work of at least three people performing security services.
Bail Enforcement Agent applicants must have 3 years experience as a police officer, an investigator in an agency of the state, county or federal government or employee of a licensed private investigator or at a firm, partnership, company or corporation where one member has been performing the duties described in the definition of bail enforcement agent;
OR 20 years experience as a police officer or Fire Marshal.
Training:
There is no specific training required for a PI or WGP. However, a BEA applicant must have completed a training program not less than 25 hours as approved by the Secretary of State. (Training may be waived when the person has served as a police officer for not less than 3 years.)
“Nonqualifier” applicant:
“Nonqualifier” applicants are those partners, officers or principals who are required to be licensed under the law but who do not need to claim qualifying experience in their application. Nonqualifier applicants must submit a completed application, as well as a receipt that provides proof of fingerprint completion.
PI / WGP entities need to be bonded or have insurance:
When your application has been reviewed and approved we will request a $10,000 surety bond. The surety company named on the bond must be duly authorized to do business in New York State and must be recognized and approved by the NYS Superintendent of Insurance.
If you employ security guards, you will also be asked to file evidence of liability coverage in the minimum amount of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate and a statement that the coverage includes false arrest or false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander and violation of privacy. No security guard company may knowingly employ a security guard unless liability coverage is filed
with the Department of State.
Employers of security guards are also responsible for registering security guards with the Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services. Separate application packages are available for this purpose.
BEA entities need to be bonded:
Yes. When your application has been reviewed and approved we will request a $500,000 surety bond. The surety company named on the bond must be duly authorized to do business in New York State and must be recognized and approved by the NYS Superintendent of Insurance.
Types of licenses:
You must indicate on the top of the application form whether you are applying for a PI, BEA or a WGP license and which type of license:
Individual. You will conduct business solely using your own name and cannot present yourself as being associated with any firm or company.
Trade Name. You will conduct business as a sole proprietorship doing business using a name other than your personal name. The trade name (“d/b/a”) must be filed in the County Clerk’s office of the county in which the business is located. By signing this application, you
are certifying compliance with this requirement.
Partnership. All partners in a partnership must be licensed; separate applications must be completed, signed, and submitted by each partner. At least one partner must meet the qualifying experience and examination requirements and be licensed to conduct business under the partnership name. A partnership certificate must be filed in the County Clerk’s office of the county in which the business is located. By
signing this application, you are certifying compliance with this requirement.
Corporation. All corporate officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer), all holders of 10 percent or more of the stock, and each officer and director working for the corporation within New York State and all other principals must be licensed; separate applications must be completed, signed, and submitted by each such person. At least one corporate officer must be licensed to conduct business under the