Private Investigator & Security Guard Licencing

You need to obtain a Certificate of Approval (COA). Your employer will give you an Application form (Form 10 for Private Investigators, Form 11 for Security Guards) to complete. This Form is to be completed in duplicate and forwarded to this office with three passport-sized photos and $80 ($70 during the period 1st October to 31st December).

Q.) What do I need to be able to obtain my own work as a Security Guard or Private Investigator?

You need to obtain a License. All the information, forms, costs etc. are available in Application Kits which you can download in Word format from here. Please note that there are different Kits for individuals and Company’s.

Q.) How long does it take to get a License or COA?

Sec 21 PISG Act 1974 states that the Registrar shall cause a copy of the application for a licence to be served on the Police.

The application shall not be heard before the expiry of one month from the date of the first advertisement in the newspaper, to allow any objections from the public.

Therefore it will take longer than one month from the date of first advertisement to get a licence

In relation to Certificates of Approval for both renewal and new COA`s - a copy is forwarded to the Police for them to advise whether they object - the issuing of the COA is dependant upon whether the Police object or not to the issuing the Certificate of Approval and the time taken by Police to consider the application and process it. It may take days to process the Certificates of Approval or during the busy renewal period of each year (January - March) it may take some weeks .

Q.) How long are the License and COA valid for?

They need to be renewed at the 31st March each year. If a new application is received by this office during one year, once granted, it will expire on the 31st March of the following year e.g. an application received during December 2002, once granted, will expire on 31 March 2003, if it is received during January 2003 it will expire on 31 March 2004.

Q.) How do I get a License or COA application processed quickly?

A License application cannot be done quickly, it just has to go through the process. For COA’s you may obtain temporary permission for up to 2 months from the Police while the actual application is being considered. This form is available as a download and must be forwarded to our office with the normal application. There is no additional cost for this.

Q.) If I have a criminal conviction will this prevent me from getting a License or COA?

The Police are the one’s who advise us if they object to a person or company obtaining a License or COA. However certain convictions within the last 5 years will result in an automatic objection by the Police. These convictions are listed on the various application forms. If you are not certain you can always go and speak to the Police officer at your local Police Station who handles these applications. Even if the Police do object there is still the opportunity to proceed to a hearing with the Registrar of Private Investigators and Security Guards. NB, for COA applications this is dependent on your employer being prepared to back you on your application during the hearing.

Q.) How do I transfer a COA from one License holder to an another?

There is no form for a transfer all we require is a letter from the new License holder. However if a new COA is required with the new License holders name on it there is a $20 charge.

Q.) How can I find out if a person or company holds a License or COA?

Ring the Private Investigator and Security Guard office on (09) 916-9045 or (09) 916-9265 or email us at pisghelp@justice.govt.nz

Q.) How do I object or complain about a License or COA holder?

You need to send a letter to the Registrar of Private Investigators and Security Guards clearly detailing the grounds of your objection, serve (physically) a copy on the other party within 7 days, and advise us that you have done this.

Q.) What do I do if my License or COA has been lost?

Sec 67 PISG Act 1974 states that should a licence be lost - A $20 replacement fee is payable and on receipt of 2 identical photographs of the holder a substitute licence or COA will be issued subject to the Registrar confirming that the requirements of the Act have been complied with.

Q.) How do I renew my License or COA?

Renewals are to be done during January and February of each year. The forms, instructions and costs are available in Renewal Kits which can be downloaded here. These Kits will be updated yearly and available from November of the preceding year. COA renewals are handled by the License holder. Please note that as all Licenses and COA's expire on 31st March each year, once this date passes the Licence or COA will have expired, and a new application will need to be made.

Q.) Non - active directors - What does the Registrar of PISG required in relation to non - active directors of a company ?

All or any directors of a company who have no involvement in the security activities of the company, may submit to the Registrar, a statement signed by the director concerned, certifying that that person does not undertake such activities. Such persons will not then be required to hold Certificates of Approval to be employees of the company. However, all licensed companies must have at least one officer who is responsible for the security operations of the company, and who holds a Certificate of Approval to be the responsible employee of the company.