Changes in Your Private Investigator or Security Guard License

It is very important to keep your licensing information up to date. If you fail to report a new employee or register a trade name (dba), a complaint against you could result in official action.

Name

If you change the business name under which you operate or add a trade name, business filings are required. It is illegal to operate under a trade name which is not registered.

• A sole proprietorship or general partnership must register the name change or new trade name (dba) with the State Tax Department. The trade name (dba) must also be registered with Secretary of State by filing a Trade Name (Form TN-1).

• A corporation, LLC, LP, LLP or voluntary association must file an amendment to change the business name, and must register a new trade name. Both changes may be filed online through the One Stop Business Portal.

Take care of the business filings first through the Secretary of State's Business Division, then report the change to the Secretary of State's Licensing Division, Private Investigator/Security Guard section.

Contact Information
Notify the Secretary of State by letter if your contact address or telephone number changes. Also, if your firm opens additional offices in the state, report those new locations.

Firm Employees
Report all new investigative or security guard employees to the Secretary of State by letter or file the standard form. Report all persons leaving the firm for your own protection.