Pennsylvania Requirments

[ShutDown24]

I have a few higher profile contacts who are in need of personal protection. Already having a relationship with me, they have asked if I would serve as a bodyguard when needed as they would rather do that than go through an agency. I have worked in loss prevention, in-house and contract security but have never done anything like EP.

So my question is, can I simply work for this potential client "in-house" so to speak, without any licensing? I know in some states you have to obtain a PI license, but I could not find any information on whether or not that is required here in PA. I have also searched this and other forums to see if there was an answer in other threads, but could not find one.

My guess is that you don't have to be licensed. I know a couple LEO's who do executive protection when they are off duty and none of them have a PI license, but they were both hesitant to tell me it was fine for me to do the same.

Any insight would be appreciated, thank you.

[Curtis Baillie]

In PA if you are working in-house, meaning you are truly an actual employee of the company, you do not need to be licensed. If you are hired as a 1099 employee (independent contractor) you mist be licensed. Your LEO friends probably didn't want to tell you as they themselves are required to be licensed if they are working off-duty and not through the police department. I suggest they are violating the law.

I guess you have a concealed carry permit?

[HotelSecurity]

Google is your friend.

[ShutDown24]

In PA if you are working in-house, meaning you are truly an actual employee of the company, you do not need to be licensed. If you are hired as a 1099 employee (independent contractor) you mist be licensed. Your LEO friends probably didn't want to tell you as they themselves are required to be licensed if they are working off-duty and not through the police department. I suggest they are violating the law.

I guess you have a concealed carry permit?

CCW, and ACT 235 although I was a bit shaky on how that would work considering I would be on the job but not at a job site. I assumed if I had to use the firearm and my ACT 235 wasn't valid due to being on a non-employers property I could invoke the CCW.

Thank you for the clarifications, I have to say I suspected about the same as far as the LEO's working it on the side but I wanted to hear it from someone else.

[Pop pop]

Interesting question SD24, Act 235 is a good start, Try Guns For Hire in NJ or Bristol's PA gun Ranges, some offer shoot out houses and training aspects related to close portection.Close Protection is a funny squirrel, You can class up all your training into the PI world on -line and get certified as free lance Investigator and then get your prints and license through the PA State Police and work for several companies at one time. It's so much more different in the PI world then say taking classes for your security license because everything in security is done in a class room setting. Like the LP world, your best training is starting in the field with a great company and work up to get your certified certificate, I'm sure Curtis would agree. That said, close protection operations is almost "always" done through a security contracting company because of the cost liability factor, always remember, your always responsible for your bullet. Having your security license and work in the field for awhile and work your way up through the company ladder to "close Protection is your best bet.

Keep searching for more training, try Covenant Security, Strike force, or become a in- house corporate security operator and work from there, I hope this helps a bit. Good Luck Dude.

[psycosteve]

If you have a Concealed carry permit from another state you could do an interview and pay for a background check to get your LTCF (License to carry firearms ) which allows you to conceal carry everywhere in PA but Philly. Philly says that they require there own permit because they are know as a city of first class but state law trumps that but that does not mean Philly pd wont F with ya about it . I do believe they have reciprocity with VA and some other states but I am not sure about that .