A Guide to Georgia Private Detective and Security Agency Licensing and Bonding

Feb 28 Posted on

Georgia private detective

Georgia private detective and security agencies have to obtain a license and file a surety bond with the state before offering their services to consumers. Here’s how you can get licensed and bonded.

Licensing an agency

Before even beginning the licensing process for Georgia private detective and security agencies, determine if you’re eligible to sit for the required examination. Here’s the criteria:

  • Be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old
  • Be of good moral character
  • Have no felony convictions, or convictions for any crime involving dangerous weapons or moral terpitude
  • Must not have committed an act of fraud or dishonesty

Eligible applicants must also have qualifying experience:

  • Two years employed full-time at a licensed private detective or security agency
  • Two years of full-time law enforcement experience
  • Four-year degree in criminal justice or a related subject

If an employee of a security agency will be armed, they also need to obtain a license through Georgia Board of Private Detectives & Security Agencies. All employees of a private detective agency must be licensed.The following is some of the information the agency application requires:

  • $100 application fee
  • 2 in. x 2 in. photo and fingerprints of company designee (if company is a partnership or corporation)
  • Notarized letter of experience or sealed, certified college transcript
  • Federal Employer ID number
  • Business’s trade name
  • Business email and physical and mailing addresses
  • Information for authorized licenseholder

This list is far from exhaustive, so be sure to read the application in its entirety to ensure you answer every question and include all necessary documentation. Don’t forget to register any eligible employees and pay their application fee ($45-$80).

After your private detective or security agency is licensed, you’ll need to pay the licensing fees:

  • $300 for private detective agencies
  • $500 for security companies
  • $700 for dual licensure

Licenses expire on June 30 in odd years. Do not purchase the $25,000 surety bond until you have passed the exam. A surety bond isn’t the only valid proof of financial security; you can also show proof of $1,000,000 of general liability insurance coverage or a net worth in excess of $50,000.

Why do agencies need this surety bond?

Though there are two other options for proof of financial security, a surety bond tends to be the most affordable option. At $25,000, the Georgia private detective and security agency bond will cost most buyers less than 3% of that�so less than $750. The bond is in place as licensees’ promise to obey state law for their business. Agencies’ main set of laws are known as the Georgia Private Detective and Security Agencies Act. The bond protects the state and consumers from financial damages as a result of an agency’s negligent business practices.

Pass the licensing exam and ready to get to the next step? Get a quote for your Georgia bond from Single Source Insurance today!

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How to Get Licensed and Bonded: California Credit Services Organizations

Feb 26 Posted on

California credit services organizations

California credit services organizations are regulated by the state’s Department of Justice. Keep reading to find out how to register and get a surety bond.

Registering with the AG

California credit services organizations offer assistance to consumers with credit problems. The state defines them as organizations that provide and accept payment for performing or assisting a consumer with improving the consumer’s credit or helping them get a loan or extension of credit.

To get a Certificate of Registration from the Department organizations need to complete the application and then mail it in, along with a $100 filing fee and copies of contracts and any other documents consumers will have to sign. Here’s some of the information the application asks for:

  • Date business was or will be first advertised
  • Business name and DBAs
  • Type of ownership and name of primary contact person
  • Contact and personal information for any business owners
  • Description and copies of all advertising materials, including radio and TV advertisements
  • Description of credit services offered

Registration expires annually on December 31, and the Department does not send reminders to licensed businesses.�Credit services organization applicants must file a $100,000 surety bond with the California Secretary of State. Applications won’t be processed until the bond is on file and the $30 filing fee paid.

Why is this bond required?

California credit services organizations are required by law to get a surety bond because of the risky nature of their business. Handling consumer funds comes with a high risk of fraud, so registration and bonding are the state’s way of preventing fraud. In another protective measure, the bond has to be maintained for two years after the organization ceases operations.

The surety bond must be $100,000 with a term of no less than two years. If the organization disobeys the law and defrauds consumers or the state, claims can be made against the bond. If they’re paid out, the organization must reimburse the surety�meaning the bondholder is liable for the entirety of any paid claims. Those can be avoided by abiding by the bond’s terms and those of the Credit Services Act of 1984.

Ready to register as a California credit services organization? Call Single Source Insurance and get a free quote for your surety bond!�

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How To Get A Nebraska Car Dealer License

Feb 23 Posted on

Nebraska motor vehicle dealers

Photo by�Andrei IanovskiionUnsplash

In Nebraska, motor vehicle dealers need to get a license and surety bond. Keep reading to see what information the state needs, or apply online today to get the bond you need.

Get Bonded

Nebraska Dealer License Requirements

Licensing and bonding for car dealers are standard procedure in most states, including Nebraska. Nebraska motor vehicle dealers are issued licenses by the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board. The term “motor vehicle dealer” also includes motorcycles and trailers, meaning licensed dealers can also sell those vehicles.

The Board has created thorough instructions for motor vehicle dealer applicants, so review them completely before submitting an application. Listed below is some of the information the Board will need:

  • Dealership’s DBA, address, and phone number
  • Zoning permit or letter from zoning authority
  • Photos of business and signage
  • Posted business hours of at least 40 hours per week
  • Proof of workers compensation insurance or coverage waiver
  • Franchise agreement, if applicable
  • $50,000 surety bond

Nebraska motor vehicle dealers must have service facilities at the business location, or they need a Service Agreement with a repair shop. After the application is submitted, a field investigator will inspect the dealership and approve or deny the application. The dealership must have space to display at least ten of the vehicles it will be selling. If the applicant doesn’t own the location, they must provide a lease agreement. Licenses expire each year on December 31.

Dealer Bond Requirements

Auto dealers need a $50,000 surety bond in Nebraskaa standard amount for dealers across the country. The bond means that dealers are guaranteeing the state and their customers that they will adhere to the terms of their license. And when it comes to selling cars, that means obeying all the laws pertaining to their business.

Dealers have obligations to their customers�that they won’t misrepresent the vehicle they’re selling, that they will not misuse customer funds, and that they will provide titles for the vehicles they sell. (And those are only a few of their responsibilities!) Should they violate the terms of their license and the surety bond, causing financial damage, claims can be filed against the bond. The dealer must reimburse the surety, so it’s their best bet to avoid claims on the bond.

How Much Does The Bond Cost?

Nebraska motor vehicle dealers’ bond provides $50,000 of coverage, and it’s underwritten, meaning its premium varies depending on a review of the bondholder’s credit. But don’t worry�with a strong financial history, applicants pay as little as 1%, or $500, for their bond.

Even if your credit isn’t at its highest, give Single Source Insurance a call and we’ll help you get bonded in Nebraska!

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Licensing and Surety Bonds for Michigan Collection Agencies

Feb 21 Posted on

Michigan collection agencies

Michigan collection agencies need to be licensed and get a surety bond to legally operate in the state. Here’s a quick look at the licensing process and why the bond is required.

Getting licensed

Michigan collection agencies are licensed by LARA, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. In order to be eligible for a license, the applicant must:

Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Owner-managers submit their manager applications alongside the agency application. Here’s some of the information the agency application asks for:

  • Agency name, address, and phone number
  • Manager’s personal information
  • Surety bond
  • $225 new license fee

Michigan collection agencies’ licenses expire each year on June 30, and the state issues license renewals 60 days prior to that. Renewal is $125. Each agency branch needs its own separate license and surety bond.

Questions about licensure? LARA compiled a list of FAQs for applicantssee if your question is answered.

Why do collection agencies need a bond?

Michigan collection agencies need a surety bond to protect the state and the individuals from whom the agency collects. In their first year of being licensed, agencies need to get a $5,000 bond�one for each business license or location. In subsequent years, the bond amount is based on the agency’s average monthly business numbers as filed in their Annual Report of Business and Operations.

This�surety bond protects individuals in the event that an agency falsely collects money from them, or if the agency fails to report on funds that were collected. It serves as the collection agency’s promise to obey all applicable laws regarding the business, and the agency is liable if it violates those terms. That means if the surety has to pay out any claims on the bond, the bondholder is on the hook for reimbursement.

Ready to get the licensing process started? Get a quote for your Michigan surety bond today!�

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New Law in North Carolina Establishes Education Savings Account

Feb 19 Posted on

education savings account

Photo by�NeONBRANDonUnsplash

North Carolina SB 257, passed in June 2017, established an Education Savings Account for students in the state. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper, but his veto was overridden by the state’s General Assembly. Keep reading to see where surety bonds come in.

What’s an Education Savings Account?

North Carolina’s Education Savings Account(ESA)is a fund that will award eligible students with disabilities in the state with grants for educational spending. Applications opened on February 1, and the priority deadline is March 1; funds will be disbursed for the 2018-19 school year and recipients will be notified in April. This program is overseen by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).

No student can receive more than $9,000 from the ESA in a school year, with $3.4 million allocated for the program including administrative costs. The funds can only be used for educational expenses, including private school tuition and fees, textbooks, tutoring, extracurriculars, educational therapy, and approved educational technology. If the funds are used at a private school, it must be an approved school that is registered with the NCSEAA. Students’ eligibility is reevaluated every three years to ensure they are still eligible to receive ESA funds.

When students are granted ESA funds, their parent or guardian receives a debit card onto which their funds are loaded quarterly. Parents are responsible for tracking the money they spend and submitting quarterly expense reports with receipts to the NCSEAA. Any problems with expenses must be resolved each quarter before the student can receive any more funds.

When could a bond be needed?

The NCSEAA may require a bond if a school is receiving a certain amount of ESA funds. The surety bond would protect the state and recipients of ESA funds from loss of those funds should the school close, mishandle funds, or otherwise cause financial damages. While there is no current surety bond mandate by the state, SB 257 gives NCSEAA the option to require the bond if they deem it necessary.

You might not yet need this bond, but get in touch with Single Source Insurance for a quote for another North Carolina surety bond.

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How To Get A Missouri Dealer License

Feb 16 Posted on

Missouri auto dealer

Becoming a Missouri auto dealer involves getting licensed and bonded, like it does in many states. Learn more about the process, and apply online for the bond you need today.

Get Bonded

Getting Licensed

If you want to be a Missouri auto dealer, you’ll submit an application to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, a division of the Department of Revenue. If you sell six or more new or used vehicles in a year, you need to get this license. Here’s some of the other information the Bureau will need:

  • Business name, DBA, and address
  • Type of business (LLC, corporation, etc.)
  • Contact person
  • Requested dealer plate quantity
  • Franchise agreements (if applicable)
  • Owner information
  • $25,000 surety bond
  • Garage liability policy (if applicable)
  • Photos of building, lot, and sign

If you will be a used car dealer, you will also need a Certificate of Completion of the Dealer Educational Seminar. You’ll also need to pay licensing fees, which are prorated depending on when you apply, since Missouri auto dealer licenses expire annually on December 31. The fee starts at $150 for January applicants, decreasing monthly to $12.50 for December applicants. You’ll also need to pay $50 for your first dealer license plate, plus $10.50 for each additional plate. Those fees are also prorated if you are applying later than January.

Missouri Dealer Bond Requirements

The surety bond form Missouri auto dealer applicants need to use is available on page 54 of the Dealer Operating Manual. Auto dealers have a responsibility to customers and the state to conduct business fairly, in accordance with the law. That’s where the $25,000 surety bond comes in: when you sign the bond, it’s your promise that you will follow state and federal laws and abide by the terms of your license. If you don’t, and cause financial damage to a consumer, they can file a claim against your surety bond. If the claim is proven, the surety will pay the claimbut you’ll have to reimburse the surety for that claim amount. That means if a $10,000 claim is paid, you owe that amount to the surety company.

Get Bonded

How Much Does The Bond Cost?

The bond amount required is $25,000, and it’s subject to underwriting. That means your premium depends on a review of your credit history by the underwriter. Applicants typically pay 1-5% of the bond’s total amount, which means you might pay $250-$1,250�or more, or less. The only way to know is to get a free quote from Single Source Insurance�get in touch today!

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North Carolina Electrical Contractors’ Surety Bond Guide

Feb 14 Posted on

North Carolina electrical contractors need to get a license and a surety bond�keep reading to find out how to get yours.

Getting licensed

North Carolina electrical contractors’ licenses are issued by the state’s Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Contractors are licensed by classification:

  • Limited classification�Can work on projects valued at no more than $50,000 and 600 volts
  • Intermediate classification�Can work on projects valued at no more than $130,000
  • Unlimited Classification�Can work on any project regardless of value

On the application, contractor applicants must list one or more qualified individuals, those who have taken the required exam and passed, and those who are authorized to perform electrical contracting work under the licensee. The application asks for other general business information, such as the address, DBA, and phone numbers, and licensure carries an annual fee as well:

  • Limited license�$85
  • Intermediate license�$130
  • Unlimited license�$180

North Carolina practices reciprocity with several states, so electrical contractors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Virginia can fill out a reciprocity application instead.

North Carolina electrical contractors that let their license lapse for more than a year need to reactivate it, which they can do by filing for reactivation and completing 16 hours of continuing education.

Why do electrical contractors need a bond?

Like any contracting profession, working as an electrical contractor can be risky business. To protect the state and the Board from liability, licensees get a surety bond. By getting the bond, contractors promise to assume liability when a customer suffers financial damage as a result of their illegal business practices. This means that if work is not performed as contracted, or an electrical contractor breaks a law while working on a project, the customer can file a claim on the contractor’s surety bond. If the claim is proven and paid out, the contractor must reimburse the surety.

Licensees with an intermediate or unlimited classification are subject to the surety bond requirement:

The cost of these surety bonds varies depending on a review of the applicant’s financial history. Ready to get a North Carolina electrical contractor’s bond? Get the licensing process started by getting in touch with Single Source Insurance today!

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Oregon Contractors: Becoming Licensed and Bonded

Feb 12 Posted on

Oregon contractors

In Oregon, contractors need to get licensed and get a surety bond. Keep reading to find out how to do just that.

Getting an Oregon contractors’ license

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board licenses professionals in the state; most any type of contractor needs the license. Licenses are needed for electrical, roofing, heating, concrete, and many other kinds of contractorsif you perform any kind of home improvement for compensation, you most likely need this license.

First, you need to decide if you’d like to work on commercial or residential projects. If you choose to be licensed as a commercial contractor and later want to bid on a residential project, or vice versa, you’ll need to apply for the other endorsement type. Next, you’ll need to complete at least 16 hours of approved training and pass the examyou must apply for your Oregon contractor’s license within two years of passing the exam. Register your corporation, LLC, or DBA with the Secretary of State, and obtain general liability insurance in the correct amount ranging from $100,000 to $2,000,000 per occurrence. If you’re hiring employees, you will need workers’ compensation insurance as well.

Finally, fill out an application for either the residential, commercial, or dual license, and pay the $225 two-year license fee. You can submit your application, along with your bond, proof of insurance, and fee, either in person or via mail.

Mail to:

P.O. Box 14140
Salem, OR 97309-5052

Deliver in person to:

201 High St. SE
Ste. 600
Salem, OR 97301-3416

Why do contractors need a bond?

Construction is a high-risk business, and surety bonds help to protect clientele and anyone the contractor works with. Should the contractor fail to pay a bill, wages, or fail to complete a project according to their contract, the bond provides a means for those who suffer financial damage to seek reimbursement.

Oregon contractors’ surety bond amounts depend on the type of license they apply for. Residential contractors’ bond amounts are as follows:

  • General contractor�$20,000
  • Specialty contractor�$15,000
  • Limited contractor�$10,000
  • Developer�$20,000
  • Home services contractor�$10,000
  • Locksmith services contractor�$10,000
  • Home inspector services contractor�$10,000
  • Home performance score contractor�$10,000

Commercial contractors’ bond amounts are generally a bit higher:

  • General contractor level 1�$75,000
  • General contractor level 2�$20,000
  • Specialty contractor level 1�$50,000
  • Speciality contractor level 2�$20,000
  • Developer�$20,000

Make sure your bond is issued on the correct form, and submit the original bond, NOT a copy. Contractors working on public works projects totaling $100,000 or more need to submit a $30,000 Public Works surety bond before starting the project.

Ready to get an Oregon contractor’s surety bond? Single Source Insurance is ready to help you get bonded!

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What You Need to Know About the Oregon Highway Use Tax Bond

Feb 9 Posted on

highway use tax

Photo by�Robson Hatsukami MorganonUnsplash

In Oregon, private and for-hire carriers need to get a highway use tax bond and maintain appropriate records. Keep reading to see what carriers need to do.

Who needs the highway use tax bond?

Motor carriers operating trucks over a certain weight in Oregon need to register with the state’s Department of Transportation in order to legally travel in the state. Carriers operating certain vehicles or combinations of vehicles need to register and get a surety bondcheck the Oregon Vehicle Code Chapter 825 for a complete look at who is subject to registration and bonding.

If you’re a carrier that needs to register, here’s what ODOT asks you to do. First, you’ll need to fill out an application for an Oregon Motor Carrier Account. If applicable, complete an application for an Oregon IRP and IFTA license. Your business’s Assumed Business Name must be on file with the Secretary of State, assuming your business is based in the state. In-state carriers also need an established place of business in the state and proof of their Oregon residency.

If you’re an out-of-state applicant, you may need to submit a few more documents, so check ODOT’s requirements before submitting your registration application.

How to get bonded

The highway use tax bond ensures motor carriers are paying their taxes as the state and federal law require. The amount of the surety bond needed depends on how many vehicles the motor carrier operates in the state. It also varies depending on if the carrier is a new or established carrier. A new applicant may be treated as an established applicant if they have substantial control over the carrier’s operations in Oregon.

New carriers need surety bonds in these amounts, with a maximum bond amount of $10,000:

  • $2,000 for one vehicle
  • Plus $375 per vehicles two through five
  • Plus $250 per vehicles six through ten
  • Plus $125 per vehicle above ten vehicles

Established carriers need surety bonds in these amounts, with a maximum bond amount of $20,000:

  • $2,000 for one vehicle
  • Plus $750 per vehicles two through five
  • Plus $500 per vehicles six through ten
  • Plus $250 per vehicle above ten vehicles

Get in touch with ODOT if you have questions about registering as a motor carrier in Oregon�and get in touch with Single Source Insurance to get your surety bond today!

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Florida Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Industry Requires Surety Bond

Feb 7 Posted on

alcoholic beverage

Photo by�David StraightonUnsplash

Florida alcoholic beverage and tobacco businesses that sell, manufacture, or distribute those substances must be licensed and bonded to do so. Keep reading to find out how it works.

How to get an alcohol and tobacco license in Florida

The state of Florida requires alcoholic beverage and tobacco businesses to get a license before they can sell or manufacture any of those products. Licenses are issued through the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There are many different types of licenses issued based on the types of products the licensee will sell, manufacture, or distribute, and licensing fees and surety bond amounts vary along with the different licenses.

Since there are so many different license types, the Division has created a flow chart for applicants to ensure they don’t miss a step in the process. Let’s take a look at what it takes to get licensed as a distributor of beer and wine (JDBW). Here’s some of the information you’ll need to provide:

  • $1,250 fee for permanent license; $312.50 if temporary
  • Completed license application
  • Fingerprints (if applicable)
  • Floor plan drawn in ink of the entire premises
  • Zoning compliance approved by local zoning authority
  • Names of all interested business parties
  • Surety bond in the correct amount

Once the license application has been submitted and any mistakes corrected, the state will conduct an inspection of the business location. After the inspection, the decision is made about whether or not the license will be issued.

What does this bond do?

The reason this bond is required is to ensure alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees pay taxes as the law requires. The amount of the bond needed varies widely. Cigarette manufacturers and distributers need a bond that is 110% of their monthly tax liability amount, but is no less than $2,000. The amount varies even more among alcoholic beverage licenseestheir bond can range from $1,000 to $100,000. Taken into account are the kinds of alcoholic beverages the license allows the licensee to sell, distribute, or manufacture, and the licensee’s total tax liability. A bond over $25,000 is not common; the $100,000 surety bond is required of spiritous liquor distributors.

The purpose of the bond is to make sure that alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees are paying their taxes on time and as required by state law. Make sure to understand how your tax schedule works as a licensee and contact the Division with your questions about licensing and taxation.

Know your bond amount and ready to get the licensing process started in Florida? Request a free quote from Single Source Insurance and get your bond fast!�

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