1. What is a compliance agent?
   A natural person employed by a licensed private security services business to assure the compliance of the private security services business and its personnel with the Code of Virginia and the state regulations relating to private security services.
   
   
2. What are the duties of the compliance agent?
   Compliance agents ensure that the licensee and all employees conform to all application requirements, administrative requirements and standards of conduct pursuant to the Code of Virginia and the state regulations.  In addition, the agent ensures that all regulated employees carry a state issued photo identification. Compliance agents also maintain documentation for all employees, or persons otherwise utilized, that verifies compliance with requirements pursuant to the Code of Virginia and the state regulations.
   
   
3. What are the qualifications for becoming a compliance agent?
   Compliance agents must have (i) three years of managerial or supervisory experience in a private security services business, a federal, state, or local law-enforcement agency, or in a related field; or (ii) five years experience in a private security services business, with a federal, state or local law-enforcement agency, or in a related field.
   
   
4. What does DCJS consider a "related field"?
   Employment in a related field is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Such fields may include loss prevention or assets protection for a proprietary business; electrical work if applying for an electronic security business; military experience and/or other employment or experience that relates to security functions.
   
   
5. How do I apply for certification or renew certification as a compliance agent?
   Please see the Apply & Renew section of our website for details.
   
   
6. What is "official documentation" regarding compliance agents?
   The term "official documentation" refers to personnel records; DD214; copies of business licenses indicating ownership; law enforcement transcripts; certificates of training completion; a signed letter provided directly by a current/previous employer detailing dates of employment and job duties; college transcripts; letters of commendation; private security services registrations, certifications, and/or licenses from other states; and/or other employment, training, or experience verification documents. A resume is not considered official documentation.
   
   
7. I applied for compliance agent training. Why didn't I get the training date/location I requested?
   Individuals are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. If the training you requested was already full, you were scheduled for the next available training date prior to your expiration date.
   
   
8. I applied for compliance agent in-service training and was scheduled for a class that is far from where I live. Do I have to attend?
   Individuals are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. If the training you requested was already full, you were scheduled for the next available training date prior to your expiration date. Apply early to reserve the training you wish to attend. If it is prior to your expiration date, we will try to put you in a training that is closer to you. However, you now have the option of completing your training online. Go to the Training Alternatives webpage for details.
   
   
9. I need to complete compliance agent training before my certification expires in 30 days. You do not have a training class in my area in that time. What can I do?
   We try to schedule training all over Virginia. All of our training dates/locations are posted on the website about one year in advance. We try to accommodate everyone, but you will need to take training prior to your expiration date in order to remain current. Sometimes, that means attending a training in a location that is farther away than you would like. However, you now have the option of completing training online. Go to the Training Alternatives webpage for details.
   
   
10. If a certified compliance agent is employed solely for the purpose of being designated as such for a licensee, must he/she maintain a valid registration in a category that the business offers as a service?
    No, the compliance agent does not have to be trained and registered in any category unless he/she is actually providing regulated services in addition to compliance agent duties.
    
    
11. How long must a licensee maintain appropriate documentation to verify compliance of its employees with DCJS regulations?
    Documents must be maintained after employment is terminated for a period of not less than 3 years.
    
    
12. What must a business do upon termination of the sole remaining compliance agent?
    The business must submit the name of a new, certified compliance agent who is not designated for another licensee within 90 days following the sole compliance agent's termination.
    
    
13. When must compliance agent in-service training be completed?
    This training must be completed within 12 months preceding the expiration date.
    
    
14. Can compliance agents reinstate?
    Yes, but they only have 30 days to complete training provided they submit a renewal application, renewal fee and $25 delinquent training fee.
    
    
15. Can a private security services business be issued an initial license without a compliance agent?
    No, a compliance agent must be designated in writing on forms provided by DCJS.
    
    
16. Can a compliance agent work for more than one employer?
    No. State regulations maintain that a compliance agent can only work for one business at a time. However, a business may have more than one compliance agent.
    
    
17. As a compliance agent I can verify "legal presence" of my employees. How do I do that?
    For a list of documents that are accepted to verify legal presence, you may view the following list of acceptable documents to verify legal presence. You must sign the application confirming that they have verified your legal presence. You should keep copies of the documents you used to verify legal presence in their employee file.
    
    
18. What does the term "date of hire" mean?
    This term refers to the date any employee of a private security services business or training school performs services regulated or required to be regulated by DCJS.
    
    
19. Can an individual serve as a compliance agent for one company and be employed by another company in a registered position, such as a private investigator? 
    Yes, an individual can serve as a compliance agent for one company and be employed by another company in a registered position.  The current regulation [6 VAC 20-171-50.B.6] and business license application only require the designation of at least one compliance agent who is not designated as compliance agent for any other licensee.  This regulation does not restrict an individual to act as a compliance agent for one company and be employed in a registered category for another company.  Please note, some employers may prohibit such actions when acting in a dual capacity between private security services businesses, as it may be considered a conflict of interest.  You should check with your employer's policy for more clarification.
    
    

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