50-State Security Licensing Compliance Guide
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Private Investigator Licensing in Arkansas

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Private investigation licenses are typically issued for individuals and organizations conducting investigative services. This guide contains information about private investigator licensing in Arkansas. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Arkansas Security Company Licenses

Arkansas Alarm Systems Class E Unrestricted License

Agency:Arkansas State Police - Private Investigators / Security Companies / Alarm Installation & Monitoring Program
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Ownership Requirements:
  • If applying for a class “e” unrestricted company license, the designated manager must have completed all areas indicated from one of the following organizations:
    • NICET 
    • NESA
    • ESA
    • Elite CEU
  • If applying for a class “e” restricted company license, the designated manager must have completed all areas indicated from one of the following organizations:
    • NICET 
    • NESA
    • ESA
    • Elite CEU
  • If applying for a class “e-s” company license, the manager shall be required to successfully pass a written examination administered by the arkansas state police. The examination will test the manager’s knowledge in fire protection and the proper use and placement of single station fire and heat detectors pursuant to the afpc and nfpa (rule 9.2)
  • If applying as a manager for an alarm systems monitoring company the manager is not required to complete any courses or examinations. The manager of an alarm systems monitoring company must execute an affidavit that he or she has read and understands a.C.A § 17-40-101, et seq. And these rules (rule 9.3).
Insurance Requirements:
  • All class “E” companies must have public liability insurance with a minimum limit of $300,000. (please attach current certificate of insurance to this application).
  • All alarm systems companies that issue ul (underwriter’s laboratories) certificates must maintain public liability insurance of at least $300,000. (please attach current certificate of insurance to this application).
  • Class “G” companies must have public liability insurance not less than $500,000. (please attach current certificate of insurance to this application).
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

New Class E Unrestricted Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • Class “E” – Restricted Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E-S” – Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E-M” – Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E” – Unrestricted Alarm Systems Company - $600
  • Class “G" – General License - $1200
  • State background check fee $22.00
  • Federal background check fee $11.25
  • Federal background/ina fee $1.00
  • Federal background check fee $2.00
Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of insurance 
  • If company is a coproration, attach corporation papers 
  • Affidavit, if applicable 
  • If you are a non-u.S. Citizen, please attach current/valid proof of eligibility to work in the US
  • 2 fingerprint cards
  • 2 passport style photos

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Class E Unrestricted application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:
  • Class “E” – Restricted Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E-S” – Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E-M” – Alarm Systems Company ; Class “E” – Unrestricted Alarm Systems Company - $300
  • Class “G" – General License - $600
  • State background check fee $22.00
  • Federal background check fee $11.25
  • Federal background/ina fee $1.00
  • Federal background check fee $2.00
Due:

Annually by the date of issuance

Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of insurance 
  • If company is a coproration, attach corporation papers 
  • Affidavit, if applicable 
  • If you are a non-u.S. Citizen, please attach current/valid proof of eligibility to work in the US
  • 2 fingerprint cards
  • 2 passport style photos

Arkansas Private Investigation Agency License

Agency:Arkansas State Police - Private Investigators / Security Companies / Alarm Installation & Monitoring Program

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Investigator Company Applications

Agency Fee:

Varies by license class: $600 for an investigations firm, $850 for a combined security and investigations firm, or $1,200 for a general license including class A, B, and E licenses.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Private Investigator Company Renewal

Agency Fee:

$300 for an investigations firm renewal, $500 for a security and investigations firm renewal, or $600 for a general license renewal.

Due:

Licenses expire two years from the date of issuance.

Individual Licenses

Arkansas Individual Security Licenses

Arkansas Alarm Systems Manager License

Agency:Arkansas State Police - Private Investigators / Security Companies / Alarm Installation & Monitoring Program
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

New Manager form

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$40 license fee + $36.25 background check fee

Required Attachments:
  • If you are a non-US citizen, attach a current/valid proof of eligibility to work in the US
  • All applicants must have a background check
  • 2 Classifiable Finger Print Cards
  • Two current passport-style photos
     

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal - Manager form

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$40 renewal fee + $36.25 background check fee

Due:

Biennially by date of issuance

Required Attachments:
  • If you are a non-US citizen, attach a current/valid proof of eligibility to work in the US
  • All applicants must have a background check
  • 2 Classifiable Finger Print Cards
  • Two current passport-style photos

Arkansas Private Investigator License

Agency:Arkansas State Police - Private Investigators / Security Companies / Alarm Installation & Monitoring Program

Initial Registration

Form:

New Credential Private Investigator

Agency Fee:

$485

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Credentialed Private Investigator

Agency Fee:

$185

Due:

Licenses expire two years from the date of issuance.

Learn about security licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Firearm Qualification - An additional qualification attached to license applications for armed private investigators.

Private Investigator Apprentice - Apprentices are issued limited licenses and can only operate under the direction of a licensed investigator.

Qualified Representative - A licensed private investigator who is responsible for the operation and management of an investigative agency.

Reciprocity - When a private investigator is allowed to do business in a different state under the license issued by their home state.

National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
Industry association that sponsors education and certification efforts for members.

National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)
Private investigation and security advocacy group.

United States Association of Professional Investigators (USAPI)
Industry association focused on education and certification.

Revised September 14, 2023. Complete data last reviewed November 14, 2018.
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