Private Detective and Security Agency: FAQ
FAQ Sections
General Questions
Find out if a company, employee, or instructor have an active license using the Licensee Search. Enter the requested information, click "search", and the license information should populate.
Complaints should be submitted from within GOALS. Learn more about filing online complaints on the How To Submit A Licensing Complaint page. Complaints are confidential by Georgia law in OCGA § 43-1-2 (k) (4) and OCGA § 43-1-19 (h) (2) and are not subject to the Open Records Act. The Board encourages complainants to provide as much detail and supporting documents as possible.
Refer to the Fee Schedule for a current listing of the various fees.
Many state boards will accept a printout of the on-line verification showing the Secretary of State logo. However, if you need a Board certified verification, you may request one through your GOALS account. After logging in, go to the “Licenses” section, click “Take Action” for the license that you need to purchase a verification for, and then click “Request License Verification”.
Login into your GOALS account to print a copy of your license or to purchase a paper copy of your license to be mailed to you. After logging in, go to the “Licenses” section, click “Take Action” for the license that you need a copy of your license for, and then click “Print License”.
Companies
Please refer to the Quick Reference Guide: Applying for a Private Security or Private Detective Company License & Authorized Business Agent (ABA)/Designee Role. You must have previously verified your existing account in GOALS or have registered as a new account in GOALS if one does not exist. An application for Company licensure cannot be considered without the candidate for designee submitting a designee application immediately after submitting the company application. In the designee application the candidate will be required to reference the application number for the company that they are seeking to be designee for. After the applications are approved by the Board the applicant will be required to do the following in order to complete the application process:
- Take and pass the appropriate designee exam(s);
- Submit the appropriate License Fee. (see fee schedule); and
- Submit ONE of the following:
- Original $25,000 Surety Bond with the company name exactly as it appears on the application, OR
- $1 million ($1,000,000) General Liability Certificate of Insurance, showing the policy number and naming the Georgia State Board of Private Detective & Security Agencies, 3920 Arkwright Rd, Suite 195, Macon, GA 31210, as the certificate holder, OR
- A certified audited financial statement showing a net worth in excess of $50,000.00. (This option requires Board review prior to issuance of license.)
Yes, consult the PSI candidate bulletin, which includes the exam’s content outline and a list of any reference materials used to develop the exams.
Yes. All applicants must take the designee exam(s) for Private Detective and/or Security company licensure. There are no exceptions for experience or licensure held in other states.
Licensed Security and Detective companies/agencies may request a change of company/agency name or location by submitting the request via a license amendment through the company/agency’s GOALS account. Please note that any change of ownership or change of business structure requires a new company application and fee.
Yes, there are no exemptions for company / agency licensure.
The Board does not regulate the use of tasers/electronic control devices. Federal laws under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) broadly prohibit individuals from owning, possessing, or transporting a firearm if convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Further, O.C.G.A. § 16-11 includes stun guns, tasers, and/or other weapons which will or can be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge as weapons that classify as firearms. The Board concludes that anyone convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence who possesses a projectile type taser or stun gun while working as an unarmed security guard violates Georgia law, noting that their employment does not create any exemption to these laws. Anyone convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence who carries a projectile-type taser or stun gun while working as an unarmed security guard for a licensed Georgia security company violates Georgia law and has committed a felony. Additionally, any licensed security company that knowingly employs anyone convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence who carries a projectile-type taser or stun gun faces suspension of its company license without a prior hearing.
Employees
No. Please note that pursuant to O.C.G.A § 43-38-16, any person who engages in the private detective business or private security business or offers, pretends, or holds themselves out as eligible to engage in the private detective business or private security business and who is not legally licensed or registered under that chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day or fraction of a day that they practice in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense. Unlicensed practice can be grounds for the Board to refuse to grant a license or registration, and if a licensed company is found to be aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of an employee that can be grounds for disciplinary action against the company, up to and including suspension or revocation of the company license.
Instruction must be conducted by instructors who are licensed with the Board. Companies typically utilize licensed instructors on staff or as needed to conduct training for their employees.
No. Each employee license is tied to a specific employer’s license.
No. When any licensee or registrant transfers from one employer to another, they must submit a new application and the appropriate fee to the Board to obtain a license under the new employer before they’re able to work for that employer. Employee registrations or licenses are not transferrable. Employees shall not use an existing registration or license to work for a company other than the company that is indicated on their license or registration, nor shall they solicit business outside of their employer.
Yes. Employees working in roles that require licensure must hold a separate license for each company they are employed with.
To be employed as a private detective or armed security guard with a licensed company, you must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age for armed licenses) and must meet the minimum requirements established by the Board, as detailed in O.C.G.A. 43-38-7 (and O.C.G.A. 43-38-10 for armed licenses). The company that hires you is responsible for your training by a Board-approved instructor; however, you may attend Board-approved training on your own prior to being hired by a licensed company.
Private Detective applicants must complete a minimum of 70 hours of classroom instruction in a basic training program. Please refer to Board Rule 509-3-.06 for information on topics required in the course.
Security Guard applicants must complete a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction in a basic training program. Please refer to Board Rule 509-3-.02 for information on topics required in the course.
Applicants for weapons permits/armed licenses or registrations must complete a minimum of 15 hours of classroom instruction in a firearms training program. Please refer to Board Rule 509-3-.10 for information on topics required in the course.
Applicants seeking authorization to carry a shotgun must complete a minimum of 2 hours of additional classroom instruction in a firearms training program. Please refer to Board Rule 509-3-.08 for information on topics required in the course.
Applicants for weapons permits/armed licenses or registrations must obtain a minimum passing score of 80% on a firing range, proctored by a firearms instructor who is licensed by the Board, and must requalify annually with the weapon carried or assigned. Please refer to Board Rules 509-3-.10 and 509-4-.01 for information on requirements.sing our License Verification page.
Board Rule 509-4-.01 authorizes private detectives and security officers to carry a revolver of no greater caliber than a .357, or to carry a semi-automatic handgun of no greater caliber than a .45. In addition, upon written request from the employer being approved by the Board, a security officer can be authorized to carry a 12-gauge riot-type shotgun.
For armed registrations or licenses applicants can request exposed handgun, concealed handgun, and/or shotgun.
Annually.
Unarmed security guards are not required to be registered with the Board but are required to be trained in accordance with the Board’s laws and rules.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 43-38-14, effective July 1, 2022, any person with a valid peace officer certification issued pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 35, the "Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act," who is employed by or works as an independent contractor for a licensed private security business or private detective business is not required to obtain a license. Note that the certification must be active to qualify.
This exception does not apply to all valid P.O.S.T. certifications, only those that meet the definition of a Peace Officer, which is defined in O.C.G.A. § 35-8-2(8). This exception does not apply to any individual who was previously a P.O.S.T. certified Peace Officer, but no longer holds a valid certification. This exception does not apply to companies/agencies or their designees.
An individual who is a P.O.S.T. certified Peace Officer may still elect to be licensed under this chapter, but in that case, will be required to complete all required training, provide fingerprints for the required background check, and any other requirements to be licensed according to the current practice act and Board Rules.
Yes. Computer forensics professionals are required to obtain a private detective company license if they own their own business that provides such services. The person is also required to obtain a registration or license to work as a private detective under the company license. Computer forensics meets the definition of “private detective business,” as defined in O.C.G.A. 43-38-3(3).
An agreement between Georgia and another state that allows a licensed private detective in another state to enter Georgia for a period not to exceed 30 days per case per year, to complete a case that originated in the state that they are licensed in. A Georgia-licensed detective would also be able to work in the other state for a 30-day period on a case that originated in Georgia. Currently, the Board has Limited License Recognition Agreements with California, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
According to Rule 509-3-.12, private detective employees must obtain 16 hours of continuing education, security guard employees must obtain 8 hours of continuing education, and employees registered as private detective and security guards must obtain 16 hours of continuing education. Continuing education is required every two years, in addition to the weapon requalification requirements. Licensees are required to register and report their continuing education coursework and submit proof of completion of continuing education to CE Broker.
Instructors
View a list of active training instructors via the GOALS Licensee Search. Enter the requested information, click "search", and the license information should populate. Please note that this list reflects all licenses that are active as well as ones that are no longer active when searching by license type so it’s important to note the license status.
You may also purchase a roster of active training instructors >>>
Visit the How to Guide: Apply to be a Classroom Firearm Training Instructor page for more information on the application process and review the instructor application to make sure you meet the qualifications. Review the Board Rules for details on what information instructors must cover with students. Review the Lesson Plan Template provided by the Board. A lesson plan is a total training package and outlines and course listings will not be accepted. Include the timeline of instruction for each topic of instruction, showing the breakdown of training minutes/hours for each section. If applying for Classroom and Firearms Training Instructor license, you must submit a lesson plan for both the classroom instruction and firearms instruction.