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
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
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • The business of each licensee must be operated under the direction and control of at least one manager. The designated manager for a Class E Unrestricted license must have completed all areas indicated from one of the following organizations:
    • NICET
      • Level III or Level IV
    • NESA
      • Electronics
      • Fire Installation and Wiring Codes
    • ESA
      • Level I
      • Level IIA - Electronics or ABAT
      • FAIM
    • Elite CEU
      • Level 1
      • AEIT
      • FAIT

 

  • The manager must also pass an exam administered by the Arkansas State Police.

 

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 
  • Documentation for each manager including:
    • If you are a non-U.S. Citizen, current/valid proof of eligibility to work in the US
    • 2 fingerprint cards
    • 2 passport style photos
  • For each applicant:
    • A list of all arrests, pending criminal charges, pleas of nolo contendere, pleas of guilty, or convictions for any felony, Class A misdemeanor offense involving theft, sexual offenses, violence, an element of dishonesty, or a crime against a person as determined by the department (Including all those that have been sealed or expunged)

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

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 June 11, 2025. Complete data last reviewed November 14, 2018.
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