Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

  • I’m a registered/licensed alarm professional in another state. Is my registration/license transferable to N.C.?
    • No. Out-of-state alarm credentials are not valid in N.C.
  • What is the status of my registration application?
    • An application’s status may be checked on the company’s Permitium Dashboard. A company’s qualifying agent or approved designee has access to the Permitium Dashboard.
  • Can you send me my registration card? Or can I pick it up?
    • No. Registration cards are property of the company a registrant works for and are mailed to the company’s mailing address.
  • How do I get registered as an alarm technician?
    • The company an alarm technician works for is responsible for submitting a registration application on behalf of the employee. Individuals cannot submit their own registration applications.
  • What’s the difference between a license and a registration?
    • A license is typically issued to a company executive and authorizes a company to provide alarm services in N.C. A registration is typically issued to an employee who works for the license holder—such as an alarm technician.
  • What registration application documents need to be mailed to the office?
    • Just the completed FD-258 fingerprint card and a copy of the registration application receipt from Permitium. All other documents should be uploaded to the application.
  • How do I renew a registration?
    • The company an alarm registrant works for is responsible for renewing a registration. Individuals cannot renew their own registrations.
  • How many continuing education (CE) hours do I need to renew my registration?
    • You must obtain three hours of Board-approved CE during each 2-year registration period. Continuing education hours cannot be “carried over” from previous registration periods. Only registrants who engage in installation, service, sales, or monitoring of alarm systems shall be required to complete the continuing education requirements.
  • What documents are required to apply for a new registration?
  • How do I transfer an alarm registration?
    • The company the employee is transferring to needs the employee’s current Registrant ID number and BPN. This information is printed on each registration ID card. If the card is not available, email ppsasl@ncdps.gov to request this information.
  • How long does it take to become registered?
    • Most registration applications are processed within 45 days of submission and ID cards are mailed within 60 days of submission. New registrations may take longer to process due to the time it takes the N.C. SBI to process a fingerprint check.
  • How much does it cost to become registered?
    • A new alarm registration application costs $88, plus processing fees. A renewal alarm registration costs $50, plus processing fees.
  • How do I request my records?
  • What are the training requirements to obtain a registration?
    • No training is required for a new alarm registration. Three hours of Board-approved continuing education is required to renew an alarm registration.
  • What is a designee and how do I appoint one?
    • A designee is an employee who a company’s qualifying agent has appointed to assist with submitting and tracking registration applications. A designee must maintain an active registration while serving as a designee. A designee application may be submitted by the qualifying agent via the Permitium Dashboard. There is no cost to appoint a designee, nor is there a limit to the number of designees a qualifying agent may have.
  • Am I required to submit my fingerprints to apply?
    • All new registrations require a completed FD-258 fingerprint card with the application. A fingerprint card is not required for registration renewals.
  • How do I contact CriminalRecordCheck.com (CRC)?
  • How do I contact Permitium?
  • Do I have to register an employee who worked only a few days and then quit?
    • Yes. Employees subject to the registration requirements of NCGS 74D-8 must be registered within 30 days of beginning employment—even if their employment is terminated within the first 30 days.
  • My registration expired. Now what?
    • An alarm registration may be renewed up to 30 days late, with a late fee of $20. After the 30-day grace period expires, a new registration application must be submitted.
  • Can I be registered with more than one company at a time?
    • Yes. Alarm registrants may be registered with an unlimited number of companies.

Licenses

  • How do I apply for a license?
  • How much does a license cost, and how long do I have to pay for it?
    • The fee to apply for a license is $188 (plus fees). If approved, the fee to receive your license is $550 (plus fees). You have 60 days from the date of approval to pay your license issuance fee.
  • How do I pay for my license?
  • How long does it take to obtain a license?
    • Typically, 3-4 months.
  • How do I access the Permitium Dashboard?
    • Go here. The Permitium Dashboard is available to licensed persons only.
  • Can my license application fees be refunded if I don’t get approved for a license?
    • No. License application fees are non-refundable.
  • What kind of experience or training do I need to qualify for a license?
  • What kind of documentation do I need to show my experience as a licensee in another state?
    • A Letter of Good Standing that shows your dates of licensure from every date in which you are licensed.
  • I’m licensed in another state. Will N.C. accept my license using reciprocity?
    • No. The N.C. ASLB does not accept reciprocity.
  • How many continuing education (CE) hours do I need to renew or reinstate my license?
    • You must obtain six hours of Board-approved CE during each 2-year license period. Continuing education hours cannot be “carried over” from previous license periods.
  • Can I take all my continuing education (CE) courses online?
    • Yes.
  • Can I use Livescan to submit my fingerprints electronically?
    • Yes, with the following limitations: You must be an N.C. resident and must have your fingerprints taken at a N.C. law enforcement agency. In addition, you must use the Livescan Fingerprint Packet. Contact us at ppsasl@ncdps.gov to request the packet.
  • What’s the difference between a license and a registration?
    • A license is typically issued to a company executive and authorizes a company to provide alarm services in N.C. A registration is typically issued to an employee who works for the license holder—such as an alarm technician.
  • What license application documents need to be mailed to the office?
    • Just the completed FD-258 fingerprint card and a copy of your Permitium license application payment receipt. All other files should be attached to the online application.
  • How do I request my records?
  • What is a designee and how do I appoint one?
    • A designee is an employee who a company’s qualifying agent has appointed to assist with submitting and tracking registration applications. A designee must maintain an active registration while serving as a designee. A designee application may be submitted by the qualifying agent via the Permitium Dashboard. There is no cost to appoint a designee, nor is there a limit to the number of designees a qualifying agent may have.
  • Am I required to submit my fingerprints to apply?
    • Yes. Please mail the completed FD-258 fingerprint card and a copy of your Permitium license application payment receipt to the PPS office.
  • How do I contact CriminalRecordCheck.com (CRC)?
  • How do I contact Permitium?
  • My license expired. Now what?
    • A license may be renewed up to 90 days late, with a $100 late fee. After 90 days has passed, a license may be reinstated up to one year after the expiration date.
  • Can I solicit or advertise for my business before getting my license?
    • No. State law (N.C.G.S. 74D) requires persons or firms to be licensed before engaging in advertising activity.
  • Can I be licensed with more than one company at a time?
    • Yes. There is no limit to the number of companies a person may be licensed with. However, you must submit a request and be approved for each additional company you wish to be licensed with. In addition, there is a $500 license fee for each additional company.
  • What is a qualifying agent?
    • The Qualifying Agent is the individual licensee who is responsible for the alarm services business.

Continuing Education

  • Is CE required for a new license?
    • No. Continuing education is required only for license renewals and reinstatements, and registration renewals.
  • Is CE required to renew a license?
    • Yes. Six hours of CE is required to renew a license.
  • Is CE required to renew a registration?
    • Yes. Three hours of CE is required to renew a registration for employees who engage in installation, service, sales, or monitoring of alarm systems.
  • How many hours of CE do I need to renew my license?
    • Six hours.
  • How many hours of CE do I need to renew my registration?
    • Three hours.
  • Can I take my CE online?
    • Yes, as long as the course is Board-approved.
  • Where can I find a list of approved CE courses?
  • What qualifies for continuing education?
    • Attending a Board-approved CE course
    • Attending a Board meeting (three hours of CE for in-person attendance, one hour for virtual attendance)

Complaints

  • How do I file a complaint?
  • Does the Board investigate alleged Code of Conduct violations or ethics complaints?
    • No. The Board’s jurisdiction is limited to its law (NCGS 74D) and its administrative rules. There is no Code of Conduct or ethical standards those licensed with the Board are required to adhere to.
  • What is the Board’s jurisdiction?
  • What can the Board do to someone who has violated its laws or rules?
    • The Board may find a violation and choose to impose no penalty. If a penalty is imposed, however, the Board has several options, including: issue a letter of reprimand; suspend or revoke a license, registration or certification; or assess a monetary civil penalty. The Board may also agree to enter into a settlement agreement with the licensee, registrant, or certified trainer. The Board’s ability to impose a penalty against someone who is not licensed or registered with the Board is limited to issuing cease-and-desist orders and obtaining an injunction (court order) that orders an unlicensed or unregistered person to stop providing alarm services.
  • How long does a complaint investigation take?
    • Typically, 2-4 months.
  • Can I submit an anonymous complaint?
    • Yes, but the complaint allegation(s) must constitute a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, as determined by the Director. Anonymous complaints that do not constitute a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare will not be investigated.