50-State Security Licensing Compliance Guide
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Private Investigator Licensing in South Carolina

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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 South Carolina. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

South Carolina Security Company Licenses

South Carolina Burglar Alarm Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Insurance Requirements:

A Certificate of Liability Insurance ($100,000 minimum coverage) must be submitted in the DBA name, and have the same address. The insurer affording the general liability coverage must be licensed to write insurance policies in South Carolina. The “Certificate Holder” on the form must be listed as the “SC Contractor’s Licensing Board”.

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

All licensees must designate a primary qualifying party who has passed the required examinations and is a fulltime employee holding a managerial or supervisory position.

Initial Registration

Form:

Doc #130: Burglar and/or Fire Alarm Contractor Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$200

Notarize:Required
Required Attachments:
  • PSI exam score sheets
  • NTS Level I or II certificate
  • Criminal background report(s): All burglar alarm examinees and principal officers must submit a Criminal Background Check/Report.
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • List of owners/officers including title, social security number, date of birth, address, and telephone.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$85

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

South Carolina Combined Burglar & Fire Alarm Contractor License

Agency:South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation - Contractors Licensing Board
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Insurance Requirements:

A Certificate of Liability Insurance ($100,000 minimum coverage) must be submitted in the DBA name, and have the same address. The insurer affording the general liability coverage must be licensed to write insurance policies in South Carolina. The “Certificate Holder” on the form must be listed as the “SC Contractor’s Licensing Board”.

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

All licensees must designate a primary qualifying party who has passed the required examinations and is a fulltime employee holding a managerial or supervisory position.

Initial Registration

Form:

Doc #130: Burglar and/or Fire Alarm Contractor Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$400

Notarize:Required
Required Attachments:
  • PSI exam score sheets
  • NTS Level I or II certificate; or NICET Level II or III certificate (as applicable)
  • Criminal background report(s): All burglar alarm examinees and principal officers must submit a Criminal Background Check/Report.
  • Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • List of owners/officers including title, social security number, date of birth, address, and telephone.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$170

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

South Carolina Contract Security Agency License

Agency:South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Contract Security Business Application

Agency Fee:

$350

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Contract Security Business Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$350

Due:

Annually

South Carolina Private Investigation Agency License

Agency:South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Bond Requirements:

$10,000

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Investigation Business Application

Agency Fee:

$350

Registration Renewal

Form:

Private Investigation Business Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$350

Due:

Annually

South Carolina Proprietary Security Agency License

Agency:South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Proprietary Security Business Application

Agency Fee:

$350

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Proprietary Security Business Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$350

Due:

Annually

Individual Licenses

South Carolina Individual Security Licenses

South Carolina Private Investigator License

Agency:South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Investigation Employee Application

Agency Fee:

$350

Registration Renewal

Form:

Private Investigation Employee Registration (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$350

Due:

Annually

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 March 07, 2023. Complete data last reviewed November 14, 2018.
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