§ 3173 - Private detective and private detective agency licenses
§ 3173. Private detective and private detective agency licenses
(a) No person shall engage in the business of a private detective or operate a private detective agency in this state without first obtaining a license to do so from the board. The board shall not issue a license to a private detective or private detective agency without first obtaining and approving the following:
(1) An application filed in proper form.
(2) An application fee as established pursuant to section 3178a of this title.
(3) Evidence that the applicant has attained the age of majority.
(4) Evidence that the applicant has successfully passed the examination required by section 3175 of this title.
(b) The board may inquire of the Vermont criminal information center for any information on criminal records of the applicant, and the center shall provide such information to the board. The board, through the Vermont criminal information center, may also inquire of the appropriate state criminal record repositories in all states in which it has reason to believe an applicant has resided or been employed, and it may also inquire of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for any information on criminal records of the applicant. When fingerprinting is required, the applicant shall bear the costs associated with the return and resubmission of illegible fingerprint cards. The board may also make such additional inquiries it deems necessary into the character, integrity and reputation of the applicant.
(c) The board shall require that the person has had appropriate experience in investigative work, for a period of not less than two years, as determined by the board. Such experience may include, but not be limited to, having been regularly employed as a private detective licensed in another state or as an investigator for a private detective licensed in this or another state, or has been a sworn member of a federal, state or municipal law enforcement agency.
(d) An application for a license may be denied upon failure of the applicant to provide information required, upon a finding that the applicant does not meet a high standard as to character, integrity and reputation or for unprofessional conduct defined in section 3181 of this title. (Added 1981, No. 98, § 1; amended 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 67; 1995, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 26.)