ARTICLE 3. Regulation, Licensing, and Registration [7520. - 7539.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 3.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7520. Section 7520.

No person shall engage in a business regulated by this chapter; act or assume to act as, or represent himself or herself to be, a licensee unless he or she is licensed under this chapter; and no person shall falsely represent that he or she is employed by a licensee.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7520.3. Section 7520.3.

(a) As a condition of the issuance, reinstatement, reactivation, or continued valid use of a license under this chapter, a limited liability company shall, in accordance with this section, maintain a policy or policies of insurance against liability imposed on or against it by law for damages arising out of claims based upon acts, errors, or omissions arising out of the private investigator services it provides. (b) The total aggregate limit of liability under the policy or policies of insurance required under this section shall be as follows: (1) For a limited liability company licensee with five or fewer persons named as members pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 7525.1, the aggregate limit shall not be less than one million dollars ($1,000,000). (2) For a limited liability company licensee with more than five persons named as members pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 7525.1, an additional one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of insurance shall be obtained for each person named as members of the licensee except that the maximum amount of insurance is not required to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000) in any one designated period, less amounts paid in defending, settling, or discharging claims as set forth under this section. (c) Prior to the issuance, reinstatement, or reactivation of a limited liability company license as provided under this chapter, the applicant or licensee shall, in the manner prescribed by the bureau, submit the information and documentation required by this section and requested by the bureau, demonstrating compliance with the financial security requirements specified by this section. (d) For any insurance policy secured by a licensee in satisfaction of this section, a Certificate of Liability Insurance, signed by an authorized agent or employee of the insurer, shall be submitted electronically or otherwise to the bureau. The insurer issuing the certificate shall report to the bureau the following information for any policy required under this section: name, license number, policy number, dates that coverage is scheduled to commence and lapse, and cancellation date if applicable. The insurer shall list the bureau as the certificate holder for the purposes of receiving notifications related to the policy’s status. (e) (1) If a licensee fails to maintain sufficient insurance as required by this section, or fails to provide proof of the required insurance upon request by the bureau, the license is subject to suspension and shall be automatically suspended pursuant to this subdivision until the date that the licensee provides proof to the bureau of compliance with the insurance coverage requirement. (2) Prior to an automatic suspension, the bureau shall notify the licensee, in writing, that it has 30 days to provide proof to the bureau of having the required insurance or the license shall be automatically suspended. (3) If the licensee fails to provide proof of insurance coverage within this period, the bureau may automatically suspend the license. (f) If the license of a limited liability company is suspended pursuant to subdivision (e), each member of the limited liability company shall be personally liable up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) each for damages resulting to third parties in connection with the company’s performance, during the period of suspension, of any act or contract when a license is required by this chapter. (g) A licensee organized as a limited liability company shall report annually to the bureau the date and amount of any claims paid during the prior calendar year from any general liability insurance policy held pursuant to this section. The licensee shall report the information on a form provided by the bureau. The licensee shall report the claim information no later than March 1. The creation of the form shall not be subject to the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (h) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7520.5. Section 7520.5.

The director may authorize a licensed private investigator from another state to continue in this state for 60 days an investigation that originated in the state which is the location of the private investigator’s principal place of business if that state provides reciprocal authority for California’s licensees. The private investigator shall notify the department in writing upon entering the state for the purpose of continuing an investigation and shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter. For purposes of this section, “originated” means investigatory activities conducted subsequent to an agreement to conduct an investigation.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7521. Section 7521.

A private investigator within the meaning of this chapter is a person, other than an insurance adjuster subject to the provisions of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 14000) of Division 5 of the Insurance Code, who, for any consideration whatsoever engages in business or accepts employment to furnish or agrees to furnish any person to protect persons pursuant to Section 7521.5, or engages in business or accepts employment to furnish, or agrees to make, or makes, any investigation for the purpose of obtaining, information with reference to: (a) Crime or wrongs done or threatened against the United States of America or any state or territory of the United States of America. (b) The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person. (c) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property. (d) The cause or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, or damage or injury to persons or to property. (e) Securing evidence to be used before any court, board, officer, or investigating committee. For the purposes of this section, a private investigator is any person, as defined in Section 7512.3, acting for the purpose of investigating, obtaining, and reporting to any employer, or an agent designated by the employer, information concerning the employer’s employees involving questions of integrity, honesty, breach of rules, or other standards of performance of job duties. This section does not apply to a public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, or its employees.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7521.5. Section 7521.5.

(a) A private investigator may provide services to protect a person, but not property, which is incidental to an investigation for which the private investigator has been previously hired to perform. (b) If the private investigator provides those services, he or she shall comply with the requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 7540), as those provisions relate to the carrying of firearms and the receipt of a valid firearms qualification card from the bureau. (c) If the private investigator provides those services, he or she shall comply with the requirements of Sections 7583.39, 7583.40, and 7583.41, as those provisions relate to the maintenance of an insurance policy. (d) If a person acts for, or on behalf of a private investigator in providing those services, that person shall be an employee of the private investigator, as defined by Section 7512.11, and there shall be an employer-employee relationship, as defined in Section 7512.12, and that person shall comply with the requirements of this section, except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c).

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7522. Section 7522.

This chapter does not apply to: (a) A person employed exclusively and regularly by any employer who does not provide contract security services for other entities or persons, in connection with the affairs of that employer only and where there exists an employer-employee relationship if that person at no time carries or uses any deadly weapon in the performance of that person’s duties. For purposes of this subdivision, “deadly weapon” is defined to include any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, any dirk, dagger, pistol, revolver, or any other firearm, any knife having a blade longer than five inches, any razor with an unguarded blade and any metal pipe or bar used or intended to be used as a club. (b) An officer or employee of the United States, or of this state or a political subdivision thereof, while the officer or employee is engaged in the performance of that officer’s or employee’s official duties, including uniformed peace officers employed part time by a public agency pursuant to a written agreement between a chief of police or sheriff and the public agency, provided the part-time employment does not exceed 50 hours in any calendar month. (c) A person engaged exclusively in the business of obtaining and furnishing information as to the financial rating of persons. (d) A charitable philanthropic society or association duly incorporated under the laws of this state which is organized and maintained for the public good and not for private profit. (e) An attorney at law in performing the attorney’s duties as an attorney at law. (f) Admitted insurers and agents and insurance brokers licensed by the state, performing duties in connection with insurance transacted by them. (g) Any bank subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation under Division 1 (commencing with Section 99) of the Financial Code or the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States. (h) A person engaged solely in the business of securing information about persons or property from public records. (i) A peace officer of this state or a political subdivision thereof while the peace officer is employed by a private employer to engage in off-duty employment in accordance with Section 1126 of the Government Code. However, nothing herein shall exempt a peace officer who either contracts for the peace officer’s services or the services of others as a private investigator or contracts for the peace officer’s services as or is employed as an armed private investigator. For purposes of this subdivision, “armed private investigator” means an individual who carries or uses a firearm in the course and scope of that contract or employment. (j) A licensed insurance adjuster in performing the adjuster’s duties within the scope of the adjuster’s license as an insurance adjuster. (k) Any savings association subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation or the Comptroller of the Currency. ( l ) Any secured creditor engaged in the repossession of the creditor’s collateral and any lessor engaged in the repossession of leased property in which it claims an interest. (m) The act of serving process by an individual who is registered as a process server pursuant to Section 22350. (n) (1) A person or business engaged in conducting objective observations of consumer purchases of products or services in the public environments of a business establishment by the use of a preestablished questionnaire, provided that person or business entity does not engage in any other activity that requires licensure pursuant to this chapter. The questionnaire may include objective comments. (2) If a preestablished questionnaire is used as a basis, but not the sole basis, for disciplining or discharging an employee, or for conducting an interview with the employee that might result in the employee being terminated, the employer shall provide the employee with a copy of that questionnaire using the same procedures that an employer is required to follow under Section 2930 of the Labor Code for providing an employee with a copy of a shopping investigator’s report. This subdivision does not exempt from this chapter a person or business described in paragraph (1) if a preestablished questionnaire of that person or business is used as the sole basis for evaluating an employee’s work performance. (o) Any joint labor-management committee established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (Section 175a of Title 29 of the United States Code), or its employees, where either the committee or employee is performing a function authorized by the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978, which includes, but is not limited to, monitoring public works projects to ensure that employers are complying with federal and state public works laws.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7523. Section 7523.

(a) Unless specifically exempted by Section 7522, no person shall engage in the business of private investigator, as defined in Section 7521, unless that person has applied for and received a license to engage in that business pursuant to this chapter. (b) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who conspires with another person to violate any provision of this chapter, relating to private investigator licensure, or who knowingly engages a nonexempt unlicensed person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (c) A proceeding to impose the fine specified in subdivision (b) may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General or by any district attorney or city attorney, or with the consent of the district attorney, the city prosecutor in any city or city and county having a full-time city prosecutor for the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred. If the action is brought by the district attorney, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment is entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered and one-half to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by the Attorney General, all of the penalties collected shall be deposited in the Private Security Services Fund. (d) Any person who: (1) acts as or represents themselves to be a private investigator licensee under this chapter when they are not a licensee under this chapter; (2) falsely represents that they are employed by a licensee under this chapter when they are not employed by a licensee under this chapter; (3) carries a badge, identification card, or business card, indicating that they are a licensee under this chapter when they are not a licensee under this chapter; (4) uses a letterhead or other written or electronically generated materials indicating that they are a licensee under this chapter when they are not a licensee under this chapter; or (5) advertises that they are a licensee under this chapter when they are not a licensee, is guilty of a misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (e) A proceeding to impose the fine specified in subdivision (d) may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General or by any district attorney or city attorney, or with the consent of the district attorney, the city prosecutor in any city or city and county having a full-time city prosecutor for the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred. If the action is brought by the district attorney, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment is entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered and one-half to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by the Attorney General, all of the penalty collected shall be deposited in the Private Security Services Fund. (f) Any person who is convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section shall not be issued a license under this chapter, within one year following that conviction. (g) Any person who is convicted of a violation of subdivision (a), (b), or (d) shall not be issued a license for a period of one year following a first conviction and shall not be issued a license for a period of five years following a second or subsequent conviction of subdivision (a), (b), or (d), or any combination of subdivision (a), (b), or (d). (h) The chief shall gather evidence of violations of this chapter and of any rule or regulation established pursuant to this chapter by persons engaged in the business of private investigator who fail to obtain a license and shall gather evidence of violations and furnish that evidence to prosecuting officers of any county or city for the purpose of prosecuting all violations occurring within their jurisdiction. (i) The prosecuting officer of any county or city shall prosecute all violations of this chapter occurring within their jurisdiction.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7523.5. Section 7523.5.

(a) The superior court in and for the county wherein any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act which constitutes a violation of Section 7523 may, upon a petition filed by the bureau with the approval of the director, issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining this conduct and may impose civil fines not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The proceedings under this section shall be governed by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except that there shall be no requirement to allege facts necessary to show or tending to show lack of adequate remedy at law or irreparable injury. (b) The superior court for the county in which any person has engaged in any act which constitutes a violation of Section 7523 may, upon a petition filed by the bureau with the approval of the director, order this person to make restitution to persons injured as a result of the violation. (c) The court may order a person subject to an injunction or restraining order, provided for in subdivision (a), or subject to an order requiring restitution pursuant to subdivision (b), to reimburse the bureau for expenses incurred by the bureau in its investigation related to its petition. (d) A proceeding to impose the fine specified in subdivision (a) and enjoin the unlicensed operation may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General or by any district attorney or city attorney, or with the consent of the district attorney, the city prosecutor in any city or city and county having a full-time city prosecutor for the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred. If the action is brought by the district attorney, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment is entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered and one-half to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by the Attorney General, all of the penalty collected shall be deposited in the Private Security Services Fund. (e) The remedy provided for by this section shall be in addition to any other remedy provided for in this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7524. Section 7524.

(a) Every agreement to provide a service regulated by this chapter, including, but not limited to, contract agreements and investigative agreements, shall be in writing. An initial client service agreement shall contain, but not be limited to, the following: (1) The licensed private investigator’s name, business address, business telephone number, and license number. (2) A disclosure that private investigators are licensed and regulated by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services within the Department of Consumer Affairs. (3) Approximate start and completion dates of the work to be provided. (4) A description of the scope of the investigation or services to be provided. An agreement shall indicate whether or not a written report is to be provided to the client and the agreed upon method of delivery of that written report, as applicable. (5) All labor, services, and materials to be provided for the scope of work conducted by the private investigator. (6) An explanation of the fees agreed upon by the parties, including a breakdown of how the fees are assessed by the licensee. (7) Any other matters agreed upon by the parties. (b) Any amendment, addendum, or other modification to an initial client service agreement shall be in writing and is subject to the requirements of this section. An amendment, addendum, or other modification shall include a description of the changes to the scope of work, start and completion dates, method of delivery, fees to be charged, and other matters agreed upon in the initial client service agreement, as applicable. (c) (1) The initial client service agreement and any amendment, addendum, or other modification to the agreement shall be legible and clearly indicate any other document incorporated into it. (2) Before any work commences, the client shall receive a signed copy of the written initial client service agreement and any amendment, addendum, or other modification to the agreement that was agreed to before commencement of the work. (3) Services detailed under the scope of work shall not be performed and charges shall not accrue before written authorization to proceed is obtained from the client. (d) Upon completion of the investigation, any written report, as agreed upon by all parties and indicated in the agreement, shall be provided to the client within 30 days from the completion date and in accordance with the agreed upon delivery method. (e) The licensee shall maintain a legible copy of the signed agreement and investigative findings, including any written report, for a minimum of two years. These records shall be made available for inspection by the bureau upon demand. Making these records available for inspection by the bureau shall not violate, waive, or extinguish the lawyer-client privilege under Article 3 (commencing with Section 950) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code, the attorney work product doctrine as restated in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2018.010) of Title 4 of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the duty to maintain the confidence and preserve the secrets of an attorney’s client under subdivision (e) of Section 6068, or the protections of any other rule or law related to attorney work product or the attorney-client privilege. (f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2025.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7525.1. Section 7525.1.

An application shall be verified and shall include: (a) The full name and business address of the applicant. (b) The name under which the applicant intends to do business. (c) A statement as to the general nature of the business in which the applicant intends to engage. (d) A verified statement of their experience qualifications. (e) (1) If the applicant is an individual, a qualified manager, a partner of a partnership, an officer of a corporation designated in subdivision (h), or a member, officer, or manager of a limited liability company designated in subdivision (i), one personal identification form provided by the bureau upon which shall appear a photograph taken within one year immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application together with two legible sets of fingerprints, one set of which shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of a background check, on a form approved by the Department of Justice, and a personal description of each person, respectively. The identification form shall include residence addresses and employment history for the previous five years and be signed under penalty of perjury. (2) The bureau may impose a fee not to exceed three dollars ($3) for processing classifiable fingerprint cards submitted by applicants, excluding those submitted into an electronic fingerprint system using electronic fingerprint technology. (f) In addition, if the applicant for a license is an individual, the application shall list all other names known as or used during the past 10 years and shall state that the applicant is to be personally and actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought. If any other qualified manager is to be actively in charge of the business, the application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by the applicant, under penalty of perjury. If any other person is to be actively in charge of the business, the application shall also be subscribed, verified, and signed by that person under penalty of perjury. (g) If the applicants for a license are copartners, the application shall state the true names and addresses of all partners and the name of the partner to be actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought and list all other names known as or used during the past 10 years. If a qualified manager other than a partner is to be actively in charge of the business, then the application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by all of the partners under penalty of perjury. If any other person is to be actively in charge of the business, the application shall also be subscribed, verified, and signed by that person, under penalty of perjury, under penalty of perjury by all of the partners and the qualified manager, or by all of the partners or the qualified manager. (h) If the applicant for a license is a corporation, the application shall state the true names and complete residence addresses of the chief executive officer, secretary, chief financial officer, and any other corporate officer who will be active in the business to be licensed. The application shall also state the name and address of the designated person to be actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought. The application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by a duly authorized officer of the applicant and by the qualified manager thereof, under penalty of perjury. (i) If the applicant for a license is a limited liability company, the application shall state the true name and complete residence address of each member, manager, and any officer who will be active in the business to be licensed. A certified copy of the articles of organization, as filed by the Secretary of State, shall be supplied to the bureau upon request. In the case of a manager-managed limited liability company, the application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by a manager; otherwise, in the case of a member-managed limited liability company, the application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by a duly authorized member of the applicant and by the qualified manager thereof. The application shall also state whether any of the members, managers, officers, or the qualified manager has ever used an alias. (j) Any other information, evidence, statements, or documents as may be required by the director. (k) At the discretion of the applicant, a valid email address. (l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7525.2. Section 7525.2.

(a) An applicant for a qualified manager license shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (1) Be at least 18 years of age. (2) Demonstrate they meet the experience requirements specified in Sections 7541 and 7541.1. (3) Complete and forward to the bureau a private investigator qualified manager license application on a form prescribed by the director and signed by the applicant. (4) Submit to the bureau two recent photographs of the applicant of a type prescribed by the director, two classifiable sets of the applicant’s fingerprints or proof of completion of a live scan, and the applicant’s residence address and residence telephone number. (5) Demonstrate passage of the private investigator licensing examination. (6) Pay the required application and examination fees to the bureau, if applicable. (b) The application form shall contain a statement informing the applicant that a false or dishonest answer to a question may be grounds for denial or subsequent suspension or revocation of a qualified manager license. (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7525.3. Section 7525.3.

(a) The bureau shall require each applicant for a private investigator license and qualified manager, as defined in Sections 7512.6, 7512.7, and 7521, to undergo a fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background check. (b) Pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code, the bureau shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for each individual applicant, if the applicant is an individual, each partner, if the applicant is a partnership, each officer, if the applicant is a corporation, each member and manager, if the applicant is a limited liability company, and each qualified manager, as defined in Sections 7512.7, 7512.14, 7512.15, and 7525.1. (c) The Department of Justice shall provide a state- and federal-level response pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7526. Section 7526.

Before an application for a license is granted, the applicant for a license or his or her qualified manager shall meet all of the following: (a) Be at least 18 years of age. (b) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of a license under Section 480. (c) Comply with the requirements specified in this chapter for the particular license for which an application is made. (d) Comply with other qualifications as the director may fix by rule.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7526.1. Section 7526.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the director may, in his or her sole discretion, grant a probationary license to an applicant subject to terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the director, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Continuing medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment. (2) Ongoing participation in a specified rehabilitation program. (3) Abstention from the use of alcohol or drugs. (4) Compliance with all provisions of this chapter. (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and for purposes of this section, when deciding whether to grant a probationary license, the director shall request that an applicant with a dismissed conviction provide proof of that dismissal and shall give special consideration to applicants whose convictions have been dismissed pursuant to Section 1203.4 or 1203.4a of the Penal Code. (2) The director shall also take into account and consider any other reasonable documents or individual character references provided by the applicant that may serve as evidence of rehabilitation as deemed appropriate by the director. (c) The director may modify or terminate the terms and conditions imposed on the probationary license upon receipt of a petition from the applicant or licensee. (d) For purposes of granting a probationary license to qualified new applicants, the director shall develop standard terms of probation that shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A three-year limit on the individual probationary license. (2) A process to obtain a standard license for applicants who were issued a probationary license. (3) Supervision requirements. (4) Compliance and quarterly reporting requirements.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7527.1. Section 7527.1.

(a) When creating or updating the licensing examination required pursuant to Section 7527, the bureau shall consider all of the following: (1) Including in the examination questions on the subject of laws relating to privacy and professional ethics. (2) Supplementing the examination with a separate examination on the subject of professional ethics. (b) If the bureau determines pursuant to subdivision (a) that a separate professional ethics examination is necessary, the bureau shall require that current licensees take the separate professional ethics examination if this requirement is appropriate.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7527.5. Section 7527.5.

Payment of the application fee prescribed by this chapter entitles an applicant or his or her qualified manager to one examination without further charge. If the person fails to pass the examination, he or she shall not be eligible for any subsequent examination except upon payment of the reexamination fee prescribed by this chapter for each subsequent examination.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7528. Section 7528.

The chief shall issue a license, the form and content of which shall be determined by the chief in accordance with Section 164. In addition, the chief shall issue a “Certificate of Licensure” to any licensee, upon request and upon the payment of the fee prescribed in Section 7570.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7529. Section 7529.

(a) (1) Upon the issuance of and with each biennial renewal of a license, a license in the form of an enhanced photo identification card of the size, design, and content as may be determined by the director or the director’s designee shall be issued by the bureau to each licensee, as follows: (A) If the licensee is an individual, the enhanced photo identification card shall be issued to the licensee and to the licensee’s qualified manager. (B) If the licensee is a partnership, the enhanced photo identification card shall be issued to each partner of the partnership licensee active in the business and to the licensee’s qualified manager. (C) If the licensee is a corporation, the enhanced photo identification card shall be issued to each officer active in the business and to the licensee’s qualified manager. (D) If the licensee is a limited liability company, the enhanced photo identification card shall be issued to each member, officer, and manager of the licensee active in the business and to the licensee’s qualified manager. (2) The enhanced photo identification card is evidence that the licensee is licensed pursuant to this chapter. The card shall contain the name of the licensee, license expiration date, and a photograph of the licensee. The enhanced photo identification card shall clearly state that the person is licensed as a private investigator or is the qualified manager or officer of the licensee. The enhanced photo identification card is to be composed of a durable material and may incorporate technologically advanced security features. The bureau may recover its costs in an amount sufficient to reimburse the department’s costs for furnishing the enhanced photo identification card. The fee charged shall not exceed the actual direct costs for system development, maintenance, and processing necessary to provide this service. The total amount of costs shall be recovered by including that amount in the fee charged for the initial application of and renewal of licensure. When the position, office, or association with a licensee belonging to a person to whom a card is issued is terminated, the person shall surrender the card to the licensee and, within five days thereafter, the licensee shall mail or deliver the card to the bureau for cancellation. Every person, while engaged in any activity for which licensure is required, shall display the person’s valid enhanced photo identification card as provided by regulation. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7530. Section 7530.

(a) Except as provided in this section, a license issued under this chapter is not assignable. (b) A licensee may apply to the chief for consent, and upon receipt of the consent and payment of the processing fee authorized by Section 7570, may assign a license to another business entity as long as the direct and indirect owners of the assignor own all of the assignee immediately after the assignment.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7532. Section 7532.

(a) No licensee shall conduct a business under a fictitious or other business name unless and until the licensee has obtained the written authorization of the bureau to do so. (b) The bureau shall not authorize the use of a fictitious or other business name which is so similar to that of a public officer or agency or of that used by another licensee that the public may be confused or misled thereby. (c) The authorization shall require, as a condition precedent to the use of any fictitious name, that the licensee comply with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Part 3 of Division 7. (d) A licensee desiring to conduct their business under more than one fictitious business name shall obtain the authorization of the bureau in the manner prescribed in this section for the use of each name. (e) The licensee shall pay a fee of at least seventy-five dollars ($75), which may be increased to not more than eighty-two dollars ($82), for each authorization to use an additional fictitious business name and for each change in the use of a fictitious business name. If the original license is issued in a nonfictitious name and authorization is requested to have the license reissued in a fictitious business name, the licensee shall pay a fee of at least seventy-five dollars ($75), which may be increased to not more than eighty-two dollars ($82), for the authorization.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7533. Section 7533.

Each licensee shall file with the bureau the complete address of his or her principal place of business including the name and number of the street, or, if the street where the business is located is not numbered, the number of the post office box. The director may require the filing of other information for the purpose of identifying the principal place of business.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7533.2. Section 7533.2.

(a) At the time of an initial application for licensure or reassignment, an applicant for an initial license or a licensee applying for reassignment of the license shall notify the bureau on the application for licensure or reassignment if the applicant or licensee is a limited liability company for the purposes of this chapter during the period of licensure. The bureau shall include this information on the Department of Consumer Affairs BreEZe License Verification Internet Web page. (b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2018.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7533.5. Section 7533.5.

(a) A licensee shall notify the bureau within 30 days of any change in its corporate officers required to be named pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 7525.1 or members or managers required to be named pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 7525.1, and of any addition of a new partner. (b) Applications, on forms prescribed by the director, shall be submitted by all new officers, members or managers, and partners. The director may suspend or revoke a license issued under this chapter if the director determines that the new officer, member or manager, or partner of a licensee has committed any of the acts constituting grounds to deny an application for a license or to take disciplinary action against a licensee pursuant to Section 7538 or 7538.5, respectively. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7534. Section 7534.

Every advertisement by a licensee soliciting or advertising business shall contain his or her business name, business address or telephone number, and license number as they appear in the records of the bureau. For the purposes of this section, “advertisement” shall include any business card, stationery, brochure, flyer, circular, newsletter, fax form, printed or published paid advertisement in any media form, or telephone book listing. Every advertisement by a licensee soliciting or advertising their business shall contain his or her business name, business address or telephone number, and license number, as they appear in the records of the bureau.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7535. Section 7535.

(a) A licensee shall not advertise or conduct business from any location other than that shown on the records of the bureau as their principal place of business unless they have received a branch office certificate for the location after compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any additional requirements necessary for the protection of the public as the director may by regulation prescribe. A licensee shall notify the bureau in writing within 30 days after closing or changing the location of a branch office. (b) The branch office certificate shall be posted below the private investigator operator’s license. The qualified manager certificate shall be posted below the branch office certificate. (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7536. Section 7536.

(a) The business of each licensee shall be operated under the active direction, control, charge, or management, in this state, of the licensee, if they are qualified, or the person who is qualified to act as the licensee’s qualified manager, if the licensee is not qualified. (b) No person shall act as a qualified manager of a licensee until they have complied with each of the following: (1) Demonstrated their qualifications by a written or oral examination, or a combination of both, if required by the director. (2) Made a satisfactory showing to the director that they have the qualifications prescribed in Section 7526 and that none of the facts stated in Section 7538 or 7538.5 exist as to them. (c) If the holder of a qualified manager certificate wishes to be associated with more than their own private investigator license, they shall apply to the bureau for a qualified manager license in accordance with Section 7525.2. A person shall not act as a qualified manager of more than five licensees. The person acting as a qualified manager shall possess a qualified manager license and share equally with the licensee the responsibility and any liability for the conduct of the business of the licensee and the actions of the employees and other personnel of the licensee. This section shall not apply to any licensee that notifies the bureau in writing that they are not conducting any business, but requests to maintain a current license status with the bureau. Whenever the licensee resumes conducting business, the licensee shall inform the bureau in writing within 30 days. (d) Any person acting as a qualified manager of their own private investigator license shall be the holder of a qualified manager certificate issued by the bureau. The certificate shall be predominantly displayed below the private investigator’s license. Any person acting as qualified manager of an additional private investigator license shall be the holder of a qualified manager license issued by the bureau. A copy of the qualified manager license shall be predominantly displayed below the private investigator’s license. (e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7537. Section 7537.

(a) In case of the death of a person licensed as an individual, a member of the immediate family of the deceased licensee shall be entitled to continue the business under the same license for 120 days following the death of the licensee, provided that written application for permission is made to the bureau within 30 days following the death of the licensee. At the end of the 120-day period, the license shall be automatically canceled. If no request is received within the 30-day period, the license shall be automatically canceled at the end of that period. (b) If the qualified manager ceases for any reason whatsoever to be connected with the licensee to whom the license is issued, the licensee shall notify the bureau in writing 30 days from this cessation. If the notice of cessation is filed timely, the license shall remain in force for a period of 90 days after cessation or for an additional period, not to exceed one year, as approved by the director, pending the qualification of another qualified manager as provided in this chapter. After the 90-day period or additional period, as approved by the director, the license shall be automatically suspended, unless the bureau receives written notification that the license is under the active charge of a qualified manager. If the licensee fails to notify the bureau within the 30-day period, his or her license shall be automatically suspended and may be reinstated only upon the filing of an application for reinstatement, payment of the reinstatement fee, and the qualification of a qualified manager as provided in this chapter. (c) In the case of the death or disassociation of a partner of an entity licensed as a partnership, the licensee shall notify the bureau, in writing, within 30 days from the death or disassociation of the individual. If notice is given, the license shall remain in force for 90 days following the death or disassociation. At the end of this period the license shall be automatically canceled. If the licensee fails to notify the bureau within the 30-day period, the license shall be automatically canceled. (d) A license extended under this section is subject to all other provisions of this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7538. Section 7538.

(a) After a hearing the director may deny a license unless the applicant makes a showing satisfactory to the director that the applicant, if an individual, and the applicant’s qualified manager have not, or, if the applicant is a person other than an individual, that its qualified manager and each of its officers, partners, members, or managers have not: (1) Committed any act that, if committed by a licensee, would be a ground for the suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter. (2) Committed any act constituting dishonesty or fraud. (3) Committed any act or crime constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480, including illegally using, carrying, or possessing a deadly weapon. (4) Been refused a license under this chapter or had a license revoked. (5) Been an officer, partner, qualified manager, member, or manager of any person who has been refused a license under this chapter or whose license has been revoked. (6) While unlicensed committed, or aided and abetted the commission of, any act for which a license is required by this chapter. (7) Knowingly made any false statement in their application. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7538.5. Section 7538.5.

(a) The director may refuse to issue any license provided for in this chapter to any of the following: (1) An individual who has had any license revoked, has a license currently under suspension, or failed to renew their license while under suspension. (2) An individual who, while acting as a partner of a partnership, an officer or director of a corporation, or a member, manager, or officer of a limited liability company, had their license revoked, has a license currently under suspension, or failed to renew their license while under suspension. (3) An individual who, while acting as a partner of the partnership, an officer, director of the corporation, or a member, manager, or officer of a limited liability company meets both of the following conditions: (A) The individual was a partner of any partnership, an officer or director of any corporation, or a member, manager, or officer of any limited liability company whose license was revoked, is currently under suspension, or was not renewed while under suspension. (B) While acting as a partner, officer, director, member, or manager, they participated in any of the prohibited acts for which the license was revoked or suspended. (4) An individual who is serving or has served as the qualified manager for any licensee that has had its license revoked, is currently under suspension, or failed to renew while under suspension. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7539. Section 7539.

(a) Any licensee or officer, director, partner, member, manager, or qualified manager of a licensee may divulge to any law enforcement officer or district attorney, or their representative, any information they may acquire as to any criminal offense, but they shall not divulge to any other person, except as otherwise required by law, any information acquired by them except at the direction of the employer or client for whom the information was obtained. (b) A licensee or officer, director, partner, member, manager, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee shall not knowingly make any false report to their employer or client for whom information was being obtained. (c) A written report shall not be submitted to a client except by the licensee, qualified manager, or a person authorized by one or either of them, and the person submitting the report shall exercise diligence in ascertaining whether or not the facts and information in the report are true and correct. (d) A licensee, or officer, director, partner, manager, member, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee shall not use a badge in connection with the official activities of the licensee’s business. (e) A licensee, or officer, director, partner, manager, member, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee, shall not use a title, or wear a uniform, or use an insignia, or use an identification card, or make any statement with the intent to give an impression that they are connected in any way with the federal government, a state government, or any political subdivision of a state government. (f) A licensee, or officer, partner, manager, member, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee shall not use any identification to indicate that they are licensed as a private investigator other than the official identification card issued by the bureau or the business card regularly used by the business. However, a licensee may issue an employer identification card. (g) A licensee, or officer, director, partner, manager, member, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee, shall not enter any private building or portion thereof, except premises commonly accessible to the public, without the consent of the owner or of the person in legal possession thereof. (h) A licensee shall not permit an employee or agent in their own name to advertise, engage clients, furnish reports or present bills to clients, or in any manner conduct business for which a license is required under this chapter. All business of the licensee shall be conducted in the name of and under the control of the licensee. (i) A licensee, or officer, director, partner, manager, member, qualified manager, or employee of a licensee shall not knowingly and directly solicit employment from any person who has directly sustained bodily injury or from that person’s spouse or other family member to obtain authorization on behalf of the injured person as an investigator to investigate the accident or act that resulted in injury or death to that person or damage to the property of that person. Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit the soliciting of employment from that injured person’s attorney, insurance company, self-insured administrator, insurance adjuster, employer, or any other person having an indirect interest in the investigation of the injury. This subdivision shall not apply to any business agent or attorney employed by a labor organization. A licensee, or officer, director, partner, manager, member, or qualified manager of a licensee shall not pay or compensate any of their employees or agents on the basis of a bonus, bounty, or quota system whereby a premium is placed on the number of employer or client rule violations or infractions purportedly discovered as a result of any investigation made by a licensee. (j) A licensee shall not use a fictitious business name in connection with the official activities of the licensee’s business, except as provided by the bureau. (k) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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