Q: What is a private investigator?
A: Chapter 74C-3, Private Protective Services, Article 1, also known as the Private Protective Services Act, defines a private detective or private investigator as follows: “Any person who engages in the profession of, or accepts employment to furnish, agrees to make, or makes inquiries or investigations concerning any of the following on a contractual basis:
a. Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or any state or territory of the United States.
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, damages, or injuries to persons or to properties.
e. Securing evidence to be used before any court, board, officer, or investigative committee.
f. Protection of individuals from serious bodily harm or death.”
Q: In which states is Blackman Detective Services licensed?
A: Blackman Detective Services is licensed in North Carolina with reciprocity granted to operate in most states. Chapter 74C-18, Private Protective Services, Article 1, also known as the Private Protective Services Act, defines reciprocity and temporary permit as follows:
a. To the extent that other states which provide for licensing of any private protective services profession provide for similar action for citizens of this state, the board, in its discretion, may grant a private protective services license to a nonresident who holds a valid private protective services license of the same type from another state upon satisfactory proof furnished to the board that the standards of licensure in such other states are at least substantially equivalent to those prevailing in this State. Applicants shall make application to the board on the form prescribed by the board for all applicants, shall comply with the provisions of G.S. 74C-10, and shall pay the fees required of all applicants.
b. The director, in his discretion and subject to the approval of the board, may issue a temporary permit to a nonresident who has complied with the provisions of G.S. 74C-10 and who is validly licensed in another state to engage in a private protective service activity incidental to a specific case originating in another state. A temporary permit may be issued for a period of no more than 30 days and may be renewed. A temporary permit may contain such restrictions which the Board, in its discretion, deems appropriate. (1979, c. 818, s. 2; 1983, c. 67, s. 4; 1989, c. 759, s. 15; 2001-487, s. 64(j).)
