Illinois Electronic Security Association

Illinois Licensure

Illinois Private Alarm Contractor License Eligibility Requirements

Private Alarm Contractors and Agencies are regulated by the State of Illinois 225 ILCS 447 Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. 

Per 225 ILCS 447/20-10, a person is qualified for licensure as a Private Alarm Contractor if all of the following requirements are met:

  • Is at least 21 years of age.

  • Has not been convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction or at least 10 years have elapsed since the time of full discharge from a sentence imposed for a felony conviction.

  • Is of good moral character.

  • Has not been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be incompetent by reason of mental or physical defect or disease, unless a court has subsequently declared him or her to be competent.

  • Is not suffering from dependence on alcohol or from narcotic addiction or dependence.

  • Has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States.

  • Has passed an examination authorized by IDFPR.

  • Submits his or her fingerprints, proof of having general liability insurance and the required license fee.

  • Has not violated 225 ILCS 447/10-5 "Requirement of a License".

  • Has a minimum of three years experience during the five years immediately preceding the application

    1. working as a full-time manager for a licensed Private Alarm Contractor Agency, or

    2. working for a government, one of the armed forces of the United States, or private entity that inspects, reviews, designs, sells, installs, operates, services, or monitors alarm systems, that in the judgement of the (Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith) Board, satisfies the standards of alarm industry competence.

The Board and IDFPR may accept, in lieu of this experience requirement, alternative experience working as a full-time manager for a private alarm contractor agency licensed in another state or for a private alarm contractor agency in a state that does not license such agencies, if the experience is substantially equivalent to that gained working for an Illinois licensed Private Alarm Contractor Agency.  Required experience credit shall be given to applicants with credentials in programs approved by the Board:

  • Two years credit for a four-year degree or higher in electrical engineering or a related field.

  • Two years credit for a business degree from an accredited college or university.

  • One year for successful completion of a national certification program.

Sources of Additional Information

Illinois General Assembly Compiled Statues
225 ILCS 447 Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004

Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
68-VII-1240.100 Application for Examination and Licensure - Private Alarm Contractor
68-VII-1240.110 Application for Licensure - Private Alarm Contractor Agency

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Licensing Information for Alarm Professions
Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor and Locksmith Board Information



Contact Us

Illinois Electronic Security Association
1200 N Arlington Heights Rd
Suite 240
Itasca, IL 60143
Phone:  224-347-9061
Fax:  224-339-8140
Email: info@iesa.net

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