Licensing, Board Administration, and Professional Conduct Requirements
This domain tests licensing mechanics and the conduct standards the Board enforces: qualifications, applications, agency and individual licenses, renewals, continuing education, insurance, reporting obligations, complaint handling, and discipline.
Licensing mechanics
- Applicants must meet age, background, experience, examination, and insurance requirements set by statute and board rule.
- Both the individual and the agency must be licensed; a licensed individual may not operate an unlicensed agency.
- Licenses must be renewed and kept current; continuing education is required.
- Licensees must report certain events, such as criminal convictions or disciplinary actions, as required by the Board.
Professional conduct
- Keep client information confidential and use it only for the engagement.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and clearly define fees, scope, and reporting in writing.
- Advertise truthfully; do not imply official status or guarantee outcomes.
- Cooperate with Board investigations and respond to complaints.
Worked example
A private detective is convicted of a misdemeanor assault and does not notify the Board. During renewal, the Board discovers it. The conviction may or may not independently disqualify the licensee, but the failure to report is a separate violation and supports discipline. Reasoning: licensing is continuous, not just an initial gate; reporting duties protect the public and the Board’s oversight.
Traps
- Working while a renewal is pending or after expiration.
- Using an unlicensed subcontractor for regulated tasks.
- Assuming a business entity license covers employees automatically.
- Treating Board correspondence as optional.