Owner, Manager Changes
Proposed Changes Relating to Owners and Managers
The following changes are proposed in response to Senate Bill 616 (86th Leg. Sess.), effective September 1, 2019. The proposals may be subject to further change pending final adoption of related administrative rules by the Public Safety Commission.
Qualified Managers and Supervisors
Effective September 1, 2019, Qualified Managers and Supervisors will no longer be regulated and pocket cards will no longer be required or issued for these registration types. All Qualified Manager and Supervisor registrations that have not already expired will expire on September 1, 2019.
If the business is a sole proprietorship, the owner must have the experience required and pass an examination to qualify for the business license.
If the business is a partnership or corporation, a partner or shareholder who owns at least a 25% interest in the company, or an officer who oversees the regulated services of the company must be designated as the company representative. The company representative will be the individual to whom the department may direct all correspondence and on whom the department may rely to ensure the company's compliance with all rule and statutory requirements. The company representative will also be the individual who meets experience requirements and who must pass the examination.
Owners, Partners, or Shareholders
Individuals holding less than a 51% interest in a company will no longer be issued a pocket card as an Owner, Partner, or Shareholder. Individuals holding less than a 51% interest in a company who wish to perform regulated services on an individual basis will need to apply for and obtain an individual license.
Individually licensed owners may perform any unarmed regulated service the company is licensed to offer. Any armed services a licensed owner wishes to perform in an individual capacity will require a security officer commission, and a personal protection officer license if applicable.
Who is required to submit an individual owner license application as part of a business application?
Individuals holding a 51% or more interest in the company will be required to submit an individual application as an owner.
Who will receive an owner pocket card?
Only an owner with a 51% or more interest in a company can be individually licensed as an owner and can receive an owner pocket card. The partner and shareholder designation will be replaced with the owner designation on the pocket card.
Who is required to submit fingerprints for a background check?
Each owner, partner or shareholder who owns at least a 25% interest in the applicant, and any officer who is to oversee the regulated aspects of the business, must submit fingerprints. Depending on the individual's licensing status at the time of submission, the background check fee may be required. Failure to pass a background will result in denial of the business application or suspension of the business license.
Will a licensed company be required to have a qualified manager?
No, qualified managers and supervisors will no longer be required. The services of managers are no longer regulated. However, companies must designate a company representative who meets the experience requirements and passes the company representative examination.
Who can be a company representative?
An owner, partner, or shareholder who holds a 25% or greater interest in the company, or an officer who oversees the regulated services of the business, can be a company representative. The company representative must meet the experience requirements and pass the company representative examination.
Are there changes to the experience or examination requirements?
No. The requirement for an individual to have experience in the services the company offers or to pass the examination has not changed.
Can a business have more than one company representative?
Yes. In the event the primary companyrepresentative does not meet the experience requirements for all regulated services the business provides, the business may designate additional company representatives who meet the experience requirements.
Will the company representative receive a pocket card?
No. The company representative is not a license type and the individual will not receive a pocket card in his or her capacity as the company representative.
Does my licensed company need to appoint a company representative on September 1, 2019 if I have a qualified manager?
No, those managers whose registrations will expire on September 1 may continue to function as their company's representatives until September 1, 2020, or when the company license expires, whichever is later. Instructions regarding this process will be posted on this website at a later date.
Individual License Changes
Effective September 1, 2019 an individual private security license is NO LONGER required to work as:
- Alarm Salesperson
- Branch Office Manager
- Employee of License Holder
As defined by Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 1702 §228 (Removed from Statute) - Security Consultant
- Security Salesperson
- Guard Dog Trainer
Alarm Salesperson, Branch Office Manager, Employee of License Holder, Security Consultant, Security Salesperson, Guard Dog Trainer will no longer be regulated. Pocket cards will no longer be required or issued for these registrations. Applications, including renewals and employee information updates for these registrations will no longer be required.
What happens to my license on September 1, 2019?
All Alarm Salesperson, Branch Office Manager, Employee of License Holder, Security Consultant, Security Salesperson, Guard Dog Trainer registrations will expire and a pocket card will no longer be required for these registrations.
What if I have submitted an application for one of the above licenses before September 1, 2019?
Applications received prior to September 1, 2019, will be processed. Application fees are non-refundable, will not be prorated or refunded. Applications that have not completed will be abandoned.
My license is about to expire or has expired. Should I submit an application?
The new laws do not take effect until September 1, 2019. Until this date, compliance with current law is still required. Applications submitted between now and August 31, 2019, will be processed. After August 31, 2019, the option to apply for the affected licenses will no longer be available. Application fees are non-refundable, and will not be prorated or refunded. Applications that have not completed will be abandoned.
Do I still need to complete all requirements for my application?
DPS will not issue any licenses or pocket cards until all requirements have been met.
Company License Changes
Guard Dog And Security Consulting Companies No Longer Require Licenses To Provide Services.
A private security business license is NO LONGER required to operate as a Guard Dog Company or Security Consulting Company.
My company license is about to expire or has expired, should I submit an application?
Applications submitted between now and August 31, 2019, will be processed. After September 1, 2019, the option to apply for the effected licenses will no longer be available. Application fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated or refunded. Applications that have not completed will be abandoned.
What if I have already submitted an application for one of the licenses that will no longer be required?
Applications will be processed. Application fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated or refunded.
What happens to Guard Dog and Security Consulting business licenses after September 1, 2019?
Guard Dog and Security Consulting business licenses will expire.
- Companies that provide services in addition to Guard Dog or Security Consulting will retain their other business licenses.
- The licenses of companies that provide only Guard Dog or Security Consulting services will expire.
What happens to a pending application after September 1, 2019?
Applications that have not completed will be abandoned.
Private Business Letter Of Authority, Governmental Letter Of Authority, And Telematics Company Changes
Private Business Letter of Authority (PLOA) and Governmental Letter of Authority (GLOA) will no longer be required to pay a licensing fee. Telematics Company will no longer be required to pay the annual exemption fee. PLOA, GLOA, and Telematics Company will be required to provide notice to be included in the Department’s registry. Instructions regarding registration, when available, will be posted in the Application Instructions. GLOA and PLOA will still be required to submit licensing applications for security guards and personal protection officers.
My Letter of Authority or Telematics exemption is about to expire or has expired, should I submit an application?
Applications submitted between now and August 31, 2019, will be processed. After September 1, 2019, the option to pay for the Letter of Authority or Telematics exemption will no longer be available. Application fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated or refunded. Applications that have not completed will be abandoned.
What if I have already submitted an application for one of the letter of authorities or telematics exemption that will no longer be charged a fee?
Applications will be processed. Application fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated or refunded.