The following code is intended to aid companies licensed by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure and their employees, individually and collectively, (hereinafter referred to as companies), in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct.

This code evolved out of the experience of the Board and is binding on all licensed companies and their employees.
Companies shall always render services at the highest level of quality. Companies performing unsolicited sales on the consumers of the State of Alabama shall take great care to uphold the ethical standards set forth by the Board.

1. (1) All licensees and employees of licensees shall have visible on their person a photo identification card issued by the licensing board at all times when providing licensed services. This requirement does not apply to administrative, management, and monitoring station employees who do not have contact with consumers in the field. Upon request, licensees shall give to each client or potential client their AESBL license number and each individual shall show his/her AESBL identification badge to all existing and potential clients, law enforcement personnel, AESBL Board Members, AESBL inspectors and investigators, and the AESBL staff.

2. (2) Solicitation:

   1. (a) Companies shall adhere to all laws related to the “Do Not Call List”, spoofing, and any laws or rules imposed by the Federal Trade Commission or the Federal Communications Commission.
   2. (b) Companies shall not misrepresent the status of another company. This includes, but is not limited to, falsely telling potential customers that another company has gone or is going out of business, is leaving the State of Alabama, has had their AESBL license revoked, is merging with another company, or that they are upgrading equipment for another company.
   3. (c) Companies shall advise potential customers who already have electronic security service that, since they already have a contract for services, they may be obligated for payments under the terms of their present contract as well as any new contract signed.

   4. (d) Companies shall not engage in high-pressured and/ or aggressive sales tactics, including but not limited to:

      1. 1. Entering any part of a premises, including a garage
         or carport, without the permission of the consumer.
      2. 2. Misleading the consumer into thinking the
         representative is from or working on behalf of the consumer’s current alarm system provider.
      3. 3. Using fear by giving false or misleading
         information regarding crime in the area.
      4. 4. Continuing to attempt to secure a sale after the
         consumer has clearly indicated they are not
         interested in the service being offered.
      5. 5. Lingering after the consumer has asked/told the
         salesperson/technician to leave the premises.
      6. 6. Preventing the consumer from closing their door.
   5. (e) Companies shall not engage in deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity targeting individuals and, especially, individuals aged sixty (60) or older or individuals who do not appear to be mentally competent. Doing so may result in their license being suspended on an emergency basis without a hearing if said activity is confirmed by the AESBL investigator or other law enforcement agency and/or personnel by a signed and notarized affidavit.
   6. (f) Companies shall not interfere with or coach potential customers or new customers obtained via unsolicited sales when pre-installation and/or installation surveys are conducted.

3. (3) Contracts:

   1. (a) Companies shall not sell customers pre-programmed panels without written disclosure to the consumer.
   2. (b) Prior to a contract being signed by a potential client, Companies shall clearly explain and disclose on the contract the financial terms and ongoing financial obligation for which the potential client shall be responsible.
   3. (c) Companies shall inform potential customers and obtain consent from said customers regarding the use of third-party lending for security and/or locksmith equipment.

   4. 
      (d) Companies shall include the following information at the bottom front of each contract for services:

      All complaints or concerns regarding the installation or service of a lock, alarm, or CCTV system may be directed to the: AESBL at 7956 Vaughn Road, PMB 392, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 (334)557-0983.

   5. (e) Companies shall inform each consumer of their rights, including their right to cancel a new contract within a specified time period.
   6. (f) Companies shall give to all new and potential customers a paper copy of their right to cancel a new security system. The instructions shall include contact information, how many days they have to cancel, and the method in which the notice of cancellation should be sent, including the company’s mailing address, email address, and fax number. The procedure for cancelling a contract must be clearly explained to the client.
   7. (g) Companies shall inform potential customers that a Consumer Report will be obtained through a Consumer Reporting Agency before a credit report is requested.
   8. (h) Companies shall not engage in white paging if a potential customer is denied credit based on their Consumer Report.
   9. (i) Companies shall not add an unauthorized co-signer to an account if a co-signer is required for a potential customer to obtain credit financing.
   10. (j) Companies shall encourage clients to maintain records of all activities and contracts related to the installation of locks or an electronic security system.
   11. (k) Companies shall take appropriate measures to protect consumer’s/client’s personal and confidential information and not engage in any form of identity theft.

4. (4) Installation and Service:

   1. (a) Company representatives shall make a reasonable attempt to identify the owner of a residence, a commercial establishment, or vehicle before performing work.
   2. (b) Companies must wait four (4) business days before performing unsolicited services for an individual age 75 or older and must provide these same customers with a 30 day right to cancel in their contract.
   3. (c) Companies shall take proper care while installing electronic security system equipment, locks, etc., to minimize the impact on the client’s property.
   4. (d) Companies shall adequately train each client in the proper use of their locks or electronic security system.
   5. (e) Companies shall provide clients lockout codes upon receipt of written requests within ten (10) business days.
   6. (f) Companies must provide an electronic or paper copy to each customer in which alarm, locksmith, or CCTV services have been provided. The electronic copy provided to a customer must be emailed to the customer at the customer provided email address within 24 hours of the completed sell, service, or installation.

5. (5) Company Operations:

   1. (a) Any advertising, including social media and internet advertising, must include the company’s AESBL license number or an internet address where licensing information can be found on said advertising. The company’s AESBL license number shall be visible on any vehicle displaying advertising information.
   2. (b) Companies shall respond within ten (10) business days to customer complaints regarding sales, installation, servicing or monitoring of their locks or electronic security systems or the conduct of any individual employed or sub-contracted by the company.
   3. (c) Companies shall ensure that all new employees who will work in the State of Alabama read and acknowledge that they have read this Code of Ethics.
   4. (d) Upon proof (proof being a civil order or criminal conviction) that any licensee or licensed company has engaged in behavior that has violated any Federal, State, or Local law, the Board shall take immediate disciplinary action.

   5. (e) Pursuant to Code of Alabama 1975 34-1A-3(10), all licensed companies are to be inspected, and the Board has determined that inspections shall occur on an annual basis. Company personnel shall comply when contacted by an AESBL inspector, whether in person, by telephone or text, or via email, in by allowing the inspector into a company’s main office and/or branch office, returning an inspector’s voicemail, email, and/or text within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the inspector, meeting in person with an inspector at a designated location outside a home office, and/or providing information requested by the inspector, i.e., employee roster, proof of licensing numbers on company vehicles, proof of licensed disciplines conducted by the company and its employees, etc.

      Any company, including all employees of a company, and any individual who violates one or more canon of ethics in this code shall be subject to disciplinary action. If, after a hearing, the Board determines that a company or individual is, in fact, guilty of a violation, the Board may impose a monetary penalty, a sanction, suspend or revoke a license.

Author: Fred Crawford

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-1A.

Editor’s Note: Rule 304-X-1-.05 was renumbered to 304-X-1-.07 per certification filed November 19, 2018; effective January 3, 2019.

History: New Rule: Filed April 26, 2000; effective May 31, 2000. Amended: Filed May 25, 2004; effective June 29, 2004. Amended: Filed November 13, 2007; effective December 18, 2007. Amended: Filed February 18, 2010; effective March 25, 2010. Amended: Filed November 14, 2011; effective December 19, 2011. Amended: Filed May 27, 2014; effective July 1, 2014. Amended: Filed November 19, 2014; effective December 24, 2014. Amended: Filed November 19, 2018; effective January 3, 2019. Amended: Published November 30, 2021; effective January 14, 2022. Amended: Published May 31, 2022; effective July 15, 2022. Amended: Published August 29, 2025; effective October 13, 2025. Repealed and New Rule: Published November 26, 2025; effective January 10, 2026.