Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions about special licenses?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about special licensing here. This includes how to apply for a private detective license and how to apply for a security service license.

How do I apply for a Private Detective license in Connecticut?

Applicants must reference Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 29-154 and Declaratory Ruling

Employment as a security officer SHALL NOT be considered as employment as an investigator. If the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, the person filing the application in behalf of such corporation, association or partnership shall meet the qualifications set out herein for an individual applicant, and shall be an officer of such corporation, or member of such association or partnership. If the commissioner grants a private detective license to an applicant based on such applicant’s experience as an investigator with an organized municipal fire department, such license shall restrict such license to performing the same type of investigations as he performed for the municipal fire department.

To obtain a license you must:

• Accurately complete an application, (DPS-366-C); (hyperlink to the form)
• Two (2) recent photographs, 2"x 2", full-face passport style with blue background;
• The FBI Privacy rights form
• Fingerprint background payments are now done via FLEXCHECK. Please login to https://ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.lo/cchrspreenroll and enter the service code. Instructions for flex check will be provided by the instructor.
• Return signed and completed fingerprint card (front only). *Note fingerprints can be taken at DESPP Headquarters for a $15.00 fee by appointment only, or any certified location that does fingerprints. Also, send a copy of the applicant tracking number obtained from Flex check.
• Motor vehicle abstract (driving record) for the past three (3) years from the motor vehicle agency in the state you reside;
• A copy of applicant’s current operator’s drivers license;
• If the applicant has been in the military, a copy of his/her DD-214 or other documentation to indicate type of discharge;
• Four (4) letters of character reference (licensee only) to be sent directly from the authors to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. Letters must include the addresses and telephone numbers of the authors. Form letters are not acceptable and will be returned;
• If the applicant is retired or separated from a local or state police department, a letter of discharge must be sent from the former employer to this department. This letter from said department must describe length of service, duties and date of retirement or separation;
• A recent credit bureau report (licensee only);
• Minimum High School Education, provide a copy of high school diploma, GED, college transcript, or college degree;
• The applicant must be a U.S Citizen, or a naturalized U.S. Citizen, or possess an INS Green card.  Proof of said documents is required. An I.C.E. work permit is not acceptable to work in the Investigative Industry;
• Documentation from previous employers, verifying license eligibility, must be sent directly to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. These letters must indicate, in chronological order, the following: date of hire and termination; duties (what, when, where and how long) in each position, reason for leaving employment. All information from previous employer(s) must be sent directly from past employer(s) to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. All letters must include telephone numbers and addresses of past employers;
• Out of state applicants must submit written verification from the state agency regulating private detective/security companies stating the licensee’s name, type of license held, length of time license has been held and if the applicant is currently in good standing;
• If a corporate license is being sought, a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Connecticut Secretary of State must be submitted. If the corporate entity is an out-of-state corporation, a copy of the Certificate of Authority To Do Business as a Foreign Corporation from the Connecticut Secretary of State must be included. No corporate license will be issued until said documentation has been supplied to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit.
• Corporate Officials. All persons engaged as Corporate Officials must be registered with the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit (Corporate Official meaning President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer). Failure to register a Corporate Official may result in your license not being issued. Refer to Connecticut Public Act # 04-192 (Corporate officials may not work as an investigator, or bodyguard, unless he/she has been properly registered as an employee of the company.) AN ACT CONCERNING LICENSING AND TRAINING OF PRIVATE DETECTIVES AND GUARD SERVICES AND SECURITY PERSONNEL SERVICES.
• Each Corporate Official must complete the Application for License (DPS-366-C), indicating that he/she is a Corporate Official (only the individual acting as licensee will mark the box "licensee"). Each Corporate Official must submit two (2) 2" x 2" photographs (full face), Fingerprint background payments are now done via FLEXCHECK. Please login to https://ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.lo/cchrspreenroll and enter the service code. Instructions for flex check are included in packet.
• Return signed and completed fingerprint card (front only). *Note fingerprints can be taken at DESPP Headquarters for a $15.00 fee by appointment only, or any certified location that does fingerprints. Also, send a copy of the applicant tracking number obtained from Flex check.

What do I need to apply for a Security Service License?

Applicants must reference Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 29-161h

To obtain a license you must:

• Accurately complete an application, (DPS-366-C);
• Two (2) recent photographs,"2 x 2", full-face passport style with blue background;
• The FBI Privacy rights form
• Fingerprint background payments are now done via FLEXCHECK. Please login to https://ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.lo/cchrspreenroll and enter the service code. Instructions for flex check are included with the packet.
• Motor vehicle abstract (driving record) for the past three (3) years from the motor vehicle agency in the state you reside;
• A copy of applicant’s current operator’s drivers license;
• If applicant has been in the military, a copy of his/her DD-214 or other documentation to indicate type of discharge;
• Four (4) letters of character reference (licensee only) to be sent directly from the author to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. Letters must include the addresses and telephone numbers of the authors.  Form letters are not acceptable and will be returned;
• If applicant is retired or separated from a local or state police department, a letter of discharge must be sent from the former employer to this department. This letter from said department must describe length of service, duties and date of retirement or separation;
• A recent credit bureau report (licensee only);
• Minimum High School Education, provide a copy of high school diploma, GED, college transcript, or college degree;
• The applicant must be a U.S Citizen, or a naturalized U.S. Citizen, or possess an INS Green card.  Proof of said documents is required. An INS work permit is not acceptable to work in the Investigative Industry;
• Documentation from previous employers, verifying license eligibility, must be sent directly to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. These letters must indicate, in chronological order, the following: date of hire and termination; duties (what, when, where and how long) in each position; reason for leaving employment. All information from previous employer(s) must be sent directly from past employer(s) to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. All letters must include telephone numbers and addresses of past employers;
• Out-of-state applicants must submit written verification from the state agency regulation private detective/security companies stating the licensee’s name, type of license held, length of time license has been held and that the license is currently in good standing;
• If a corporate license is being sought, a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Connecticut Secretary of State must be submitted. If the corporate entity is an out-of-state corporation, a copy of the Certificate of Authority To Do Business as a Foreign Corporation from the Connecticut Secretary of State must be included. No corporate license will be issued until said documentation has been supplied to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit.
• Corporate Officials. All persons engaged as Corporate Officials must be registered with the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit (Corporate Official meaning President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer). Failure to register a Corporate Official may result in your license not being issued. (Corporate Officials may not work as Security Officers or Bodyguards, unless he/she has obtained the Security Officer Certification Identification Card and has been properly registered as an employee of the company).
• Each Corporate Official must complete an Application for Licensing, (DPS-366-C), indicating that he/she is a Corporate Official (only the individual acting as licensee will mark the box "licensee"). Each Corporate Official must submit two (2) 2"x 2" photographs (full face) the FBI Privacy rights form, and must pre-enroll online for fingerprint background check, where payment of $75.00 and $13.25 fees are paid through CCHRS (online portal). Tracking bar code should be submitted with fingerprint card if fingerprints not electronically submitted (Contact office for Pre-enrollment instructions).