Specifications

under Article 4413 (29bb) V.A.C.S., a Class B license is required. To qualify, you must have two (2) years consecutive
experience for each category for which the application is being made prior to application. Experience must be
documented in the form of signed and notarized affidavits. (At this time, the Texas Board Of Private Investigators And
Private Security Agencies is allowing companies and individuals to show that if it has been installing access control
devices on a regular basis for the last two years, this would be accepted in lieu of the two year apprenticeship
requirement. Others would not qualify). Fees for a Class B license is $225.00, with an annual renewal requirement of
$225.00. There is also a $25.00 original application fee.
A Class A, Class B and Class C license must also have what is termed a “qualified manager.” A qualified manager must
be 18 years of age; Be a Texas resident; Pass a written examination (there is no fee for the first examination, however,
each additional test costs $100.00 and the examination is given by invitation only and will not be
scheduled until the application has been approved); and be registered as the qualified manager. Fees
for a qualified manager is $25.00 for the original application, with an annual renewal requirement of
$25.00.
If you are an Owner, Officer, Partner of Shareholder of a company, you must register as such; and
submit a police and sheriff letter from the city and county of residence (this is a letter of character
containing any objection or recommendation as to the application). Fees for registration is $25.00 for
original application and a $25.00 renewal fee every two (2) years.
In addition to the above, if you are the system or electronic lock installer, you must have an Alarm
System Installers license. The fee for this is $25.00 with an annual renewal fee of $25.00. If you are
responsible for the sales of such a system or device, you must possess a Security Sales license. The fee for this is $25.00
with an annual renewal fee of $25.00. If you are the sole proprietor of a business who not only sells electronic locking
devices or access control systems, but also installs the system as well, you must possess both the Security Sales license
and the Alarm System Installers license, in addition to all the previous requirements.
Background Checks
Every applicant in Texas must also submit to two kinds of criminal history checks, one by the Department of Public
Safety and one by the F.B.I. There is a $25.00 fee for the F.B.I. criminal history check as well as a $25.00 original
application fee. Along with the original application and two criminal history checks, two (2) F.B.I. fingerprint cards must
also be submitted. There is a $25.00 fee for the F.B.I. fingerprint cards and the Texas Board Of Private Investigators And
Private Security Agencies will only accept F.B.I. fingerprint cards which have been purchased through its office.
Personal Profile
Other applicant qualifications are:
1. You must not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of any felony (unless a full pardon has been granted). 2. You
must not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude during the seven year
period preceding the date of application (unless a full pardon has been granted) 3. You must not have been declared
incompetent by reason of mental defect. 4. You must not be suffering from habitual drunkenness or from narcotics
addiction. 5. You must not have been discharged from the armed services of the U.S. under conditions other than
honorable.
Insurance Requirements
To obtain any class of license described above, you must also submit evidence of a policy of general liability insurance
on a form prescribed by the Texas Board Of Private Investigators And Private Security Agencies. The insurance policy
must contain a minimum limit of $100,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, and $50,000.00 per
occurrence personal injury, with a minimum total aggregate amount of $200,000.00 for all occurrences.
Just The Beginning
As I said previously, this is just a brief overview of the Alarm license requirements. (And you thought
a Locksmith license would be rigid, invasive and restrictive!) If you are going to embark on the alarm
license journey, I suggest that you dot all your “I’s” cross all your “T’s” read every direction and
instruction thoroughly — following it to the letter — and be sure to get every form you fill out notarized.
Any minor mistake, oversight, or careless action on your part can be grounds for a rejection. License
application forms can be obtained from the Texas Board Of Private Investigators And Private Security
Agencies, P.O. Box 13509, Austin, Texas 78711. If you have specific questions concerning licensing
requirements, address your questions in writing to Clema D. Sanders, Executive Director, at the
same address. To hear a recorded version of the license requirements call [phone].
Industry Objective
The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and members of the National Locksmiths
Suppliers of America (NLSA) have gathered together to discuss future strategies to thwart the all encompassing
restrictions of House Bill 713, and monitor more closely the future tactical moves made by the NBFAA. Through
enhanced monitoring and industry awareness, this pesky problem may be able to be resolved. Texas is the testing ground
for House Bill 713. If this industry can stop, or at the very least, modify the enforcement of House Bill 713 upon this
industry, this would prevent this same enforcement from coming to a neighborhood near you. Lets not turn our back on
this issue. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Diligence and persistence will prevail. Let’s cut the cancer before it’s too
late.
8 • The National Locksmith
Continued from page 6
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