Types of Licenses

Any person or firm that provides a security guard on a contractual basis for another person or firm, and performs common security functions such as prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on private property.

Requirements

Three years of experience as a manager, supervisor, or administrator with a contract security company, a proprietary security organization or law enforcement agency performing a guard and patrol function. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(6), G.S. 74C-8, G.S. 74C-9, G.S. 74C-10, and 14B NCAC.0301 for more details.

Any person who accepts employment on a contractual basis to make inquiries or conduct investigations concerning criminal activity, the behavior or conduct of another person, the disposition of lost or stolen property, the cause or responsibility of accidents or injuries, and more. No experience is needed to obtain a Private Investigator Associate license. However, an Associate must always work under the supervision of a licensed private investigator.

Requirements

Three years of experience in private investigative work, or three years in an investigative capacity as a member of a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(8), G.S. 74C-8, G.S. 74C-9, G.S. 74C-10, and 14B NCAC.0401 for more details.

Reciprocity
The Board currently has reciprocal licensing agreements with several states. These agreements allow currently licensed private investigators from states to come into North Carolina for a specific period of time (30 days maximum, except for Tennessee, which is 15 days) to work a case which originated in their home state. Likewise, licensed North Carolina investigators may enter that state to work a case originating there. Investigations exceeding the time limits must be handled by a private investigator licensed in the particular state. See Reciprocal Agreements.

Any person or firm that discovers, locates, or disengages listening or other monitoring equipment or signal transmission blocking devices on a contractual basis for another person or firm.

Requirements

Three years of experience within the past 10 years in counterintelligence, or successful completion of a counterintelligence course at a Board approved school. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(3), G.S. 74C-8, G.S. 74C-9, G.S. 74C-10, and 14B NCAC 16.0402 for more details. 

Any person or firm that uses any polygraph device or instrument, or reviews charts, tapes or other methods of record keeping, for the purpose of detecting deception.

Requirements

Successful completion of a Polygraph course at a Board approved school, successful completion of an examination and performance test administered by a panel of polygraph examiners designated by the Board, and one year of experience within the past three years. No experience is required to obtain a Polygraph Examiner Trainee license. However, a polygraph examiner trainee must complete a Board-approved polygraph school and always work under the supervision of a licensed polygrapher.

Note: If you do not have one year of experience, you will be required to complete six months as a trainee.

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(5), G.S. 74C-8, G.S. 74C-9, G.S. 74C-10, 14B NCAC 16 .0501, 14B NCAC 16 .0502, and 14B NCAC 16 .0503 for more details.

The PPSB relies on the N.C. Polygraph Association (NCPA) to administer polygraph testing for license applicants. The testing consists of three parts: a written test, a chart review, and a panel interview. For more information about testing, please review the NCPA’s study guide.

The testing will take place at the Private Protective Services office.

List of Polygraph Schools

Reciprocity
The Board currently has reciprocal licensing agreements with several states. These agreements allow for currently licensed polygraph operators in these states to obtain a license in North Carolina without having to take the examination and performance test administered by the Board. Likewise, currently licensed North Carolina polygraph operators may obtain a license in these states without having to take their examination and performance test.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These agreements do not exempt persons from obtaining a license, but rather, only from the testing requirements. See Reciprocal Agreements.

Any person or firm that contracts with another person or firm to place, lease, rent, or sell a trained dog for the purpose of protecting lives or property.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a manager, supervisor, administrator, or dog handler with a contract security company, proprietary security organization or a governmental agency performing guard dog functions. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(7), G.S. 74C-8, G.S. 74C-9, G.S. 74C-10, and 14B NCAC.0302 for more details.

Any person or firm that provides secured transportation of money, currency, coins, bullion, securities, checks, documents, stocks, bonds, jewelry, paintings, and other valuables.

Requirements

No experience required. General requirements still apply.

Any person or firm that transports documents, papers, maps, stocks, bonds, checks, or other small items of value which require expeditious services.

Requirements

No experience required. General requirements still apply.

Any person or firm that provides security measures to ensure the safety of a business executive, elected or appointed public official, celebrity, or other individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risk because of the individual's employment, status, wealth, associations, or geographical location.

Requirements

Three years of experience within the past 10 years conducting close personal protection services as a private person or with a governmental agency; or two years with the U.S. military in a relevant MOS within the past five years; or complete a 40-hour qualifying course. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(3a), 14B NCAC 16 .1501, and 14B NCAC 16 .1502 for more details.

Any person or firm that provides examination of digitally stored data to recover, image, analyze, or examine the data by using software to determine responsibility or reconstruct usage of the data for use in any criminal, civil, or administrative court proceeding.

Requirements

Three years of experience within the past five years conducting digital forensics examinations as a private person or with a governmental agency; or be a licensed PI and complete a qualifying 40-hour DFE course within the past two years; or been qualified as an expert witness under the Daubert Standard in DFE within the past three years; or two years with the U.S. military in a relevant MOS within the past five years. No experience is required for a DFE Associate license. 

See G.S. 74C-3(a)(5a) and 14B NCAC 16 .1601 for more details.

Any person or firm that uses any psychological stress detection device or instrument, or reviews charts, tapes or other methods of record keeping, for the purpose of detecting deception.

Requirements

Successful completion of a Board-approved PSE course or two years of experience with the U.S. military in a relevant MOS within the past five years.

See G.S. 74C-3(5) and 14B NCAC 16 .0601 for more details.

Any person who is licensed under N.C.G.S. 74D and provides armed alarm responders.

Requirements

Must be licensed under N.C.G.S. 74D. No experience required.

Any person or firm that employs armed security guards, armed alarm responders, armed armored car personnel, or armed couriers who work only for that firm to protect its business interests.

Requirements

No experience required.