Part IV. Training School Application Procedures; Administrative Requirements; Standards of Conduct
6VAC20-173-40. Initial training school application.
A. Prior to the issuance of a training school certification, the applicant shall meet or exceed the requirements of certification and application submittal to the department as set forth in this section.
B. Each person seeking certification as a private security services training school shall file a completed application provided by the department to include:
1. For each principal of the applying training school, the principal's fingerprints pursuant to this chapter;
2. A certificate of insurance reflecting the department as a certificate holder, showing a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per individual occurrence and $300,000 general aggregate issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Virginia;
3. For each nonresident applicant for a training school, on a form provided by the department, a completed irrevocable consent for the department to serve as service agent for all actions filed in any court in this Commonwealth;
4. For each applicant for certification as a private security services training school except a sole proprietor and partnership, on a certification application provided by the department, the identification number issued by the Virginia State Corporation Commission for verification that the entity is authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth;
5. A physical location in Virginia where records required to be maintained by the Code of Virginia and this chapter are kept and available for inspection by the department. A post office box is not a physical location;
6. On the training school certification application, designation of at least one individual as training director who is not designated as training director for any other training school, and who is certified as an instructor pursuant to this chapter. A maximum of four individuals may be designated as an assistant training school director;
7. A copy of the curriculum in course outline format for each category of training to be offered, including the hours of instruction with initial and in-service courses on separate documents;
8. A copy of the training school regulations;
9. A copy of the range regulations to include the assigned DCJS range identification number if firearms training will be offered;
10. On the certification application, selection of the category of training the applicant is seeking to provide. The initial training school certification application fee includes one category. A separate fee will be charged for each additional category of training. The separate categories are identified as follows: (i) security officers/couriers/alarm respondents (armed and unarmed) to include arrest authority, (ii) private investigators, (iii) locksmiths and electronic security personnel to include central station dispatchers, (iv) armored car personnel, (v) personal protection specialists, (vi) detector canine handlers and security canine handlers, (vii) special conservators of the peace pursuant to § 9.1-150.1 of the Code of Virginia, (viii) bail bondsmen pursuant to § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia and bail enforcement agents pursuant to § 9.1-186 of the Code of Virginia, and (ix) firearms;
11. The applicable, nonrefundable category fee; and
12. The applicable, nonrefundable training school certification application fee.
C. When the department has received and processed a completed application and accompanying material, the department may inspect the training facilities, including an inspection of the firearms range, if applicable, to ensure conformity with the minimum requirements set forth in 6VAC20-174 and this chapter.
D. Upon completion of the initial training school application requirements, the department may issue an initial certification for a period not to exceed 24 months.
E. The department may issue a letter of temporary certification to training schools for not more than 120 days while awaiting the results of the state and national fingerprint search conducted on the principals and training director of the business, provided that the applicant has met the necessary conditions and requirements.
F. A new certification is required whenever there is any change in the ownership or type of organization of the certified entity that results in the creation of a new legal entity. Such changes include:
1. Death of a sole proprietor;
2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and
3. Formation or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, or an association or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
G. Each certification shall be issued to the legal entity named on the application, whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, and shall be valid only for the legal entity named on the certification. No certification shall be assigned or otherwise transferred to another legal entity.
H. Each certified training school shall comply with all applicable administrative requirements and standards of conduct and shall not engage in any acts prohibited by applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 5, eff. November 28, 2018.
6VAC20-173-50. Renewal training school application.
A. Applications for certification renewal should be received by the department at least 30 days prior to expiration. The department will provide a renewal notification to the last known mailing address or email address provided by the certified training school. However, if a renewal notification is not received by the training school, it is the responsibility of the training school to ensure renewal requirements are filed with the department. Certification renewal applications received by the department after the expiration date shall be subject to all applicable, nonrefundable renewal fees plus reinstatement fees. Outstanding fees or monetary penalties owed to DCJS must be paid prior to issuance of said renewal.
B. Upon completion of the renewal training school application requirements, the department may issue a renewal certification for a period not to exceed 24 months.
C. The department may renew a certification when the following are received by the department:
1. A properly completed renewal application;
2. A certificate of insurance reflecting the department as a certificate holder, showing a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per individual occurrence and $300,000 general aggregate issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Virginia;
3. On the application, designation of at least one certified instructor as training director who has satisfactorily completed all applicable training requirements;
4. Fingerprints for each new and additional principal pursuant to § 9.1-139 H of the Code of Virginia;
5. The applicable, nonrefundable certification renewal fee and category fees; and
6. Any documentation required for any new categories of training.
D. Each training school applying for a certification renewal shall be in good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed, registered, or certified in private security services or related field. This subsection shall not apply to any probationary periods during which the individual is eligible to operate under the license, registration, or certification.
E. Any renewal application received after the expiration date of a certification shall be subject to the requirements set forth by the reinstatement provisions of this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 5, eff. November 28, 2018.
6VAC20-173-60. General requirements.
All private security services certified training schools are required to maintain administrative requirements and standards of conduct as determined by the Code of Virginia, department guidelines, and this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.
6VAC20-173-70. Training school administrative requirements.
A training school shall:
1. Maintain at all times with the department its physical address and email address if applicable. A post office box is not a physical address. Notification of any change shall be in writing and received by the department no later than 10 days after the effective date of the change.
2. Employ at all times one individual designated as training director who is currently certified as an instructor pursuant to this chapter and who is not currently designated as training director for another training school. A training school may designate a maximum of four individuals as assistant training school directors.
3. Upon termination of the services of a certified instructor, notify the department in writing within 10 calendar days. Should the instructor also be designated as the training director for the training school, this notification shall include the name of the instructor responsible for the training school's adherence to applicable administrative requirements and standards of conduct during the period of training director replacement.
4. Within 90 days of termination of employment of the sole remaining training director, submit the name of a new instructor eligible for designation pursuant to this chapter and who is not currently designated for another training school. Individuals not currently eligible may pursue certification pursuant to this chapter. Such notification shall be in writing and signed by a principal of the training school and the designated training director.
5. Notify the department in writing of any certified instructors or subject matter specialists eligible to provide instruction at the training school. The notification shall be received by the department prior to the individual conducting any training for the training school and signed by the training school director and the designated instructor or subject matter specialist.
6. Prominently display at all times, in a conspicuous place where the public has access, the training school certification issued by the department.
7. Maintain at all times current liability coverage at least in the minimum amounts prescribed by the application requirements of this chapter. Each day of uninsured activity would be construed as an individual violation of this requirement.
8. Inform the department in writing within 10 days of any principal, partner, officer, instructor, or employee regulated or required to be regulated by this chapter pleading guilty or nolo contendere or being convicted or found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor as outlined in § 9.1-139 K of the Code of Virginia.
9. Inform the department in writing within 10 days of any principal, partner, officer, instructor, or employee regulated or required to be regulated by this chapter having been found guilty by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to have violated the private security services business statutes or regulations of that jurisdiction.
10. Report in writing to the department any change in its ownership or principals that does not result in the creation of a new legal entity. Such written report shall be received by the department within 10 days after the occurrence of such change to include fingerprint cards submitted pursuant to this chapter.
11. Maintain at all times with the department its current operating name and fictitious names. Any name change reports shall be submitted in writing within 10 days after the occurrence of such change and accompanied by certified true copies of the documents that establish the name change.
12. Report in writing to the department any change in the entity of the training school that results in continued operation requiring a certification. Such written report shall be received by the department within 10 days after the occurrence of such change.
13. Maintain written authorization from the department for any subject matter specialists being used to provide instruction.
14. Develop lesson plans for each training curriculum and subject being offered in accordance with the topical outlines submitted to the department to include hours of instruction as set forth in 6VAC20-174.
15. Maintain comprehensive and current lesson plans for each entry level training curriculum and subject being offered.
16. Maintain comprehensive and current lesson plans for each in-service training curriculum and subject being offered.
17. Maintain comprehensive and current lesson plans for each firearms training curriculum and subject being offered.
18. Date all lesson plans and handout material, including the initial date of development and subsequent revisions.
19. Ensure that current copies of the following requirements are provided to and maintained with the department, including:
a. A list of all training locations used by the training school, excluding hotel or motel facilities;
b. A list of all firing range names and locations;
c. A list of all subject matter specialists currently employed or otherwise utilized; and
d. Copies of current topical outlines for all lesson plans and curriculums. The lesson plans and subsequent course outlines shall include (i) specific reference to the course content involving the Code of Virginia, 6VAC20-174, and this chapter and (ii) the hours of instruction.
20. Ensure that range qualification for all firearms training is completed pursuant to the requirements set forth in 6VAC20-174 except with written authorization from the department.
21. On a form provided by the department and within 10 calendar days of an incident, submit a report of any incident in which any instructor, student, or employee has discharged a firearm while on duty, excluding any training exercise.
22. Not act as or be a certified training school for undisclosed persons who directly or indirectly control the operation of the training school.
23. Inform the department and compliance agent of the employing business if applicable, in a format prescribed by the department, within seven days of any person regulated by the board who fails to requalify with a minimum passing score on the range.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.
6VAC20-173-80. Training school standards of conduct.
A training school shall:
1. Conform to all requirements pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
2. Ensure that the owners, principals, training directors, and all instructors employed by the training school conform to all applicable application requirements, administrative requirements, and standards of conduct pursuant to the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
3. Utilize only certified instructors or other individuals eligible to provide instruction pursuant to this chapter in the conduct of private security training sessions.
4. Maintain current files that include copies or electronic images of attendance records, a master final examination, pass/fail recording of examination and firearms qualification scores, training completion rosters, and training completion forms for each student for three years from the date of the training session in which the individual student was enrolled.
5. Permit the department during regular business hours to inspect, review, or copy those documents, electronic images, business records, or training records that are required to be maintained by the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
6. Permit the department to inspect and observe any training session. Certified training schools that conduct training sessions not located within Virginia may be required to pay the expenses of inspection and review.
7. Include the training school certification number issued by the department on all business advertising materials pursuant to the Code of Virginia.
8. Not violate or aid and abet others in violating the provisions of Article 4 (§ 9.1-138 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia, 6VAC20-172, 6VAC20-174, or this chapter.
9. Not commit any act or omission that results in a private security license, registration, or certification being suspended, revoked, or not renewed or the licensee, registrant, or certificate holder otherwise being disciplined in any jurisdiction.
10. Ensure that the owners, principals, training directors, and all instructors employed by the training school have not been convicted or found guilty in any jurisdiction of the United States of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, assault and battery, damage to real or personal property, controlled substances or imitation controlled substances as defined in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia, prohibited sexual behavior as described in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia, or firearms. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this chapter. The record of conviction certified or authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be prima facie evidence of such guilt.
11. Not obtain or aid and abet others to obtain a license, license renewal, registration, registration renewal, certification, or certification renewal through any fraud or misrepresentation.
12. Conduct entry-level and in-service training sessions separately. In-service subjects and curriculums may not be incorporated or included as a part of the entry-level subjects and curriculums unless otherwise authorized by the department.
13. Not conduct a private security services training school in such a manner as to endanger the public health, safety, and welfare.
14. Not falsify, or aid and abet others in falsifying, training records for the purpose of obtaining a license, registration, certification, or certification as a compliance agent, training school, school director, or instructor.
15. Not represent as one's own a certification issued to another private security services training school.
16. Not perform any unlawful or negligent act resulting in loss, injury, or death to any person.
17. Not use or display the state seal of Virginia, or any portion thereof, as a part of any logo, stationery, business card, badge, patch, insignia, or other form of identification or advertisement.
18. Not use or display the seal of the Department of Criminal Justice Services, or any portion thereof, or the seal of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any portion thereof, as a part of the training school's logo, stationery, letter, training document, business card, badge, patch, insignia, or other form of identification or advertisement.
19. Not engage in acts of unprofessional conduct in the practice of private security services.
20. Not engage in acts of negligent or incompetent private security services.
21. Not make any misrepresentation or false promise to a private security services business client or potential private security services business client.
22. Not violate any state or local ordinances related to private security services.
23. Satisfy all judgments to include binding arbitrations related to private security services not provided.
24. Not publish or cause to be published any material relating to private security services that contains an assertion, representation, or statement of fact that is false, deceptive, or misleading.
25. Not provide false or misleading information to representatives of the department.
26. Not act as or be an ostensible certified training school for undisclosed persons who do or will control directly or indirectly the operations of the training school.
27. Not provide materially incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or untrue information on any email, application, or other document filed with the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 25, eff. September 9, 2015.