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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
security guards; private investigators; licensure
Purpose
Extends the validity, from two years to four years, for private investigator and security guard agency licenses and related registration certificates and removes the 90-day limit on renewing licenses and certificates after expiration.
Background
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) must issue a private investigator agency license for a period of two years to a person that submits a completed application and all application and fingerprint processing fees, a surety bond of $2,500 and a certificate of workers' compensation insurance, if applicable (A.R.S. § 32-2425). The Director of DPS (Director) may renew a private investigator agency license, or the registration certificate of an employee of a business holding an agency license, after receiving the required application and fees.
DPS
must issue a security guard agency license for a period of two years to a
person that submits a completed application and all application and fingerprint
processing fees, proof of required liability and workers' compensation insurance
and an identification of the certified security guard and firearms safety
training instructors that the applicant uses. A security guard, armed security
guard, security guard training instructor or firearms safety training
instructor registration certificate may be issued after submitting a completed
application and required fees, proof of the completion for any required
training and a statement from the applicant's employer requesting and
authorizing armed security guard registration status for the applicant (A.R.S.
§§ 32-2607;
32-2613;
32-2614;
32-2623;
and 32-2624).
DPS may conduct periodic state criminal history checks to ensure the continued qualification of licensees. The renewal of an agency license or registration certification may not be granted more than 90 days after expiration and no licensee or registrant may engage in any private investigator activity or private security guard service during the period between the date of expiration and renewal of the license or registration (A.R.S. § 32-2407).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Extends, from a period of two years to a period of four years, the validity of an original or renewed agency licenses for private investigators and security guards.
2. Removes the prohibition on renewing the following licenses and certificates 90 days after expiration:
a) a private investigator or security guard agency license;
b) the registration certificate of an employee of a business holding a private investigator agency license; and
c) a registration certificate for a security guard, armed security guard, security guard training instructor or firearms safety training instructor.
3. Expands the allowance for DPS to conduct periodic criminal history checks to ensure continued qualification of the outlined licensees and registrants, rather than state criminal history checks.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2025
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