South Carolina Private Investigation or Security Guard Agency Bond

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Why is a South Carolina Private Investigation or Security Guard Agency Bond Required?

The private investigation surety bond protects the State of South Carolina and its taxpayers in the event that the private detective violates state law and closes the business without paying applicable fines. The bond transfers the this liability up to the full bond amount of $10,000 to the surety company, and ultimately back to the private investigator through an indemnity clause.

Private Investigation or Security Guard Agency Bonds And Getting Your South Carolina Business License/Registration

The following are the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's general requirements in order to be considered for a business license.

• Annual license fee paid via cashier’s check, money order, or company check made payable to SLED.
• Completed, signed, and notarized application. For military service, a copy of the DD Form 214 is also required.
• Two complete sets of fingerprint cards.
• Recent digital photograph (instructions available on the SLED website).
• $10,000 surety bond posted with SLED In accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-70(B)
• Completed, signed, and notarized Judgment Statement Affidavit (or a certified statement by the Clerk of Court in the applicant’s county of residence in lieu of the affidavit).
• Completed, signed, and notarized Form PD/PS-9 per SLED instructions.
• Completed Disclosure of Principal(s) form.
• Sample contract for approval in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-70(F).
• Three years' experience are required in order to qualify as a private investigation business licensee
• Additional items may be needed and exact requirements may vary based on applicant, license type or obligee discretion. Please see obligee and state links in the Other Helpful Information and Links section below or contact the obligee directly for more information.

The following items are required for renewal of a business license. SLED indicates that failure to submit these items will result in the renewal application being returned and/or denied.

• A non-refundable annual license fee paid via cashier's check, money order, or company check made payable to SLED.
• A completed, signed, and notarized application.
• Two complete sets of fingerprint cards. Fingerprint cards are required every five (5) years.
• A recent digital photograph submitted in accordance with SLED Regulatory Services credentialing requirements.
• Submit $10,000 surety bond to SLED
• Completed, signed, and notarized Form PD/PS-9. If the company is not incorporated, the applicant for licensing must have a financial interest in the company. A corporate head of an incorporated business who does not wish to apply for a license may designate, in writing, a corporate official to complete application.
• A completed Disclosure of Principal(s) form.
• Documentation regarding continuing education including six hours annually, or a total of 12 hours of continuing education credit every 24 months.

Any of the following criteria would make an applicant ineligible for a private investigative business licenses or registration in South Carolina:

• Non U.S. citizen
• Under 18 years of age
• Discharge from military service that is other than honorable
• Currently holding any other position that would constitute dual-office holding and/or a conflict of interest, such as: Actively commissioned law enforcement officers, Coroners, Jailers or detention officers, Probation or Parole Officers, Reserve officers, State Constables, Federal officers, investigators, or inspectors (including military police/investigators)
• Conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude
• Criminal charge pending that, if convicted, would prohibit individual from being licensed or registered
• Applicant fails to meet any other criteria outlined in the S.C. Private Investigative or Contract Security Agencies Act, or falsifies the application for license and/or registration. Refer to S.C. Code Ann. § 40-18-70 and § 40-18-80 for complete licensing guidelines.

Additional South Carolina Private Investigation or Security Guard Agency Bond Resources & Links

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Private Investigation Business License / Employee Registrations