PURPOSE: In accordance with generally recognized policing standards, board has established testing requirements for those seeking individual licensing pursuant to these provisions, and has established qualification standards pursuant to the duties carried out by individuals providing private security services.

1. (1) All applicants for licensing shall successfully pass a written examination as presented by department to potential licensees. Board establishes categories of testing that reflect responsibilities and qualifications required for the type of licensing sought by the applicant. Information for each testing phase will be available from the Private Officers Licensing Section (POLS). In order to obtain a license as an armed security person, the applicant must successfully complete the required training and successfully qualify annually with their weapon. The qualification will be equivalent to that required for department police officers. In addition, any person holding an armed license shall requalify any time they change to a weapon of a different caliber or style (i.e., revolver to semi-automatic, .38 caliber to .40 caliber, etc.). A requalify fee will be charged anytime a weapon change is made.

   1. (A) Applicants for Class A licensing, in addition to those topics listed in subsection (1)(B) of this rule, shall also be tested on crime and criminal liability, firearms responsibility and liability, and patrol techniques. Class A licenses issued to those requesting designation as private investigators shall also be tested on investigative techniques, the role of the investigator in police notification and illegal electronic surveillance.
   2. (B) Applicants for Class B licensing as provided in this chapter shall be tested on detention and seizure, how to interact with the general public and public officials, the licensing process, including rules, how to react to crisis situations and liability issues.
   3. (C) Applicants for private investigator must possess a high school diploma and one of the following: A two (2) year degree in Administration of Criminal Justice or a bachelor’s degree; two (2) consecutive years prior investigative experience in law enforcement, military police or military intelligence functions; or two (2) years consecutive experience with a licensed private security agency, and be certified by that agency as to knowledge of the law and investigative techniques.
2. (2) A person failing to obtain a passing score as established by board may be allowed to retake the written test three (3) times. An additional fee and a new Form 5409 P.D. is required each time the test is retaken. The test may not be taken more than one time per day. An applicant shall have the right to review their test. POLS may refuse to test any person if evidence exists that there is grounds for denial of the license.
3. (3) As all applicants for Class A licenses are granted the authority to detain or apprehend, each applicant or his/her employer must certify to the satisfaction of board that the applicant is physically capable of being able to safely detain or apprehend suspects without the necessity of resorting to the displaying or discharging of a weapon except in selfdefense or in defense of another. Board may investigate the certification and may reject the application if there is evidence that the certification is false or incorrect.

4. (4) Additionally, each applicant for a license under these provisions shall meet these standards—

   1. (A) Be a citizen of the United States;
   2. (B) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to hold an armed license and be at least eighteen (18) years of age to hold an unarmed license;
   3. (C) Be able to read, write and understand the English language;
   4. (D) Meet physical and mental standards equivalent to those required of department police officers;
   5. (E) Be capable of understanding and performing the duties and responsibilities of a licensee;
   6. (F) If the applicant served in the Armed Forces of the United States within ten (10) years prior to the date of application, the final discharge of the applicant from the armed forces must be honorable or general under honorable conditions;
   7. (G) Be of good moral character by having no felony, misdemeanor or city ordinance convictions involving moral turpitude;
   8. (H) Have no felony conviction, and in addition, for armed applicants, have no felony or misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence assault or have issued against them a full order of protection issued after a hearing by a court of competent jurisdiction;
   9. (I) Not be on probation as the result of any federal, state or city ordinance violation except probation assessed as a result of a violation of city traffic ordinances;
   10. (J) Not be awaiting a court date or have any trial date pending on any arrest. Such persons will be denied until such time as the case or cases have been finally adjudicated;
   11. (K) Have no prior revocation of a security license; and
   12. (L) Be free of any type of chemical dependency.

5. (5) When an applicant has successfully completed the requirements as established herein, board may issue a license. Additionally, an applicant may be denied a license for any of the following reasons:

   1. (A) Failing to meet the standards as set out herein;
   2. (B) Falsifying information provided to POLS to establish eligibility. Applicants who falsify documents shall be ineligible to receive a private security license and cannot reapply for at least six (6) months after the false information was submitted;
   3. (C) Failing to provide information deemed necessary in order to establish eligibility;
   4. (D) Providing references, employment background, or both, which indicate a poor or unsatisfactory character or work record;
   5. (E) Providing other facts or actions which demonstrate that the applicant is unsuitable or ineligible for license; and
   6. (F) Being terminated from or resigning under investigation or threat of discharge from the department shall make an individual ineligible for a license, but s/he may appeal to board pursuant to the appeal process contained in this chapter.
6. (6) Applicants and their employers, in the event of license denial, will be given a written notification. Applicants may appeal in writing to board within thirty (30) days of denial notification. The appeal should contain a brief statement responding to the reasons for denial. Board will then notify the applicant in writing of its formal decision on the matter. Applicants have no right to a hearing or presentation to board.
7. (7) Board reserves the right to prohibit the holder of a license from carrying any firearm.
8. (8) All licenses granted by board as set out herein may be temporary until the completion of the applicant’s background investigation.

AUTHORITY: section 84.720, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Dec. 5, 1979, effective March 17, 1980. Amended: Filed May 3, 1988, effective Sept. 29, 1988. Rescinded and readopted: Filed May 28, 1993, effective Jan. 31, 1994. Amended: Filed April 14, 1997, effective Oct. 30, 1997. Rescinded: Filed Dec. 15, 1999, effective Aug. 30, 2000. Readopted: Filed Jan. 13, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 84.720, RSMo 1939, amended 1943, 1993.