Private Detective/Security Agency - Renewal After 5 Years

You must have held Wisconsin Private Detective/Security Agency credential that has been expired more than 5 years.

If you have held a Wisconsin Private Detective/Security Agency credential that has been expired for less than 5 years, you must submit a late renewal application (please see Renewal Information on Private Detective/Security Agency main page).

There are no other pre-application requirements, such as education.

The documents required for a Private Detective/Security Agency application vary based on the information provided in the application and the organization's business structure. Review the Application Information section below to determine which documents and forms apply to your business, including which individuals within the organization are required to complete them.

Below is a list of items that are always required:

• A completed application via LicensE

• Form 3039

• Form 2687

  • A PO Box without a complete location address is inadequate

• A recent photograph of head and shoulders only

• Fingerprints 

  • Instructions will be sent after Form 2687 and recent photograph have been uploaded to application

• Insurance (only need one)

  • Form 1482 and Certificate of Liability Insurance

    • This is required if firearms will be required

  • Form 1483 and Bond

• Form 225X (Convictions and Pending Charges), if applicable

• Additional documents as requested related to the information within the application

Depending on your business structure and application responses, you may also be required to provide:

• Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution (DFI)

• A written Firearms Policy that details the care, storage, and use of firearms

• Registered Agent

  • For foreign corporations, this must be an individual with a Wisconsin address

Below are some general instructions for applying for a credential on LicensE. 

1. Create or log into your LicensE account. Please visit LicensE account Information page for detailed guidance on selecting your account type.

2. Select "Apply for a License."

3. Select your Category.

4. Select your License Type.

5. Select your Application Method, then "Next."

6. Review your Personal Information.

7. Enter the requested Information on each page of the application. Information may include Examination, Education, or License History, depending on your profession.

8. If applicable, request a Veterans Fee Waiver or Initial Credential Fee Reduction.

9. Submit the requested Documents you may already have. You do not need to have all documents ready to submit.

   Note: Forms are now hosted on AccessGov. Visit AccessGov Forms Directory to choose your form.

10. Respond to the Attestation questions.

11. Provide Payment Information. Fees may be found Credential Fees.

12. Submit your application.  

Profession specific application requirements can be found in the "Application Information" section.

After logging into your Organization LicensE account, select Apply for a License and choose:

• Category: Business

•  License Type: Private Detective/Security Agency

•  Application Method: Renewal After 5 Years

A partnership or limited liability company application shall be executed by all members of the partnership or limited liability company

The below items are required from ALL members of the LLC or LLP:

• Form 2687

• A recent photograph of head and shoulders only

  • If submitting files for multiple members, please ensure each filename clearly identifies the individual it belongs to

• Name and signature on both portions of form 3039 (Agency Individuals and Agency Declarations)

• Fingerprints

  • Instructions will be sent after Form 2687 and recent photograph have been uploaded to application

• Form 225X (Convictions and Pending Charges), if applicable

The below items are required for the LLC or LLP:

• Form 3039 (see above for who needs to sign)

  • Be sure to include the required officer titles of Secretary and either President or Vice President, even if an officer also has another title such as CEO

• Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution (DFI)

• Proof of insurance

  • Form 1482 AND Certificate of Liability Insurance

    • This is required if firearms will be required for employees

  • Form 1483 AND Bond

The below items may be required:

• Firearms Policy

  • Written policy that details the care, storage, and use of firearms

• Additional documents as requested related to the information within the application

A corporate application shall be executed by the Secretary and the President or Vice President and, in addition, in the case of a foreign corporation, by the Registered Agent.

A registered agent  must be an individual who can sign documents, complete fingerprints, and has a Wisconsin address.

The below items are required for the Secretary AND President or Vice President AND Registered Agent:

• Form 2687

  • Must include WI address for Registered Agent

• A recent photograph of head and shoulders only

  • Please ensure each filename clearly identifies the individual it belongs to

• Name and signatures on both portions of form 3039 (Agency Individuals and Agency Declarations)

• Fingerprints

  • Instructions will be sent after Form 2687 and recent photograph have been uploaded to application

• Form 225X (Convictions and Pending Charges), if applicable

The below items are required for the Corporation:

• Form 3039 (See above for who needs to sign)

  • Be sure to include the required officer titles of Secretary and either President or Vice President, even if an officer also has another title such as CEO

• Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution (DFI)

• Proof of insurance

  • Form 1482 AND Certificate of Liability Insurance

    • This is required if firearms will be required for employees

  • Form 1483 AND Bond

The below items may be required:

• Firearms Policy

  • Written policy that details the care, storage, and use of firearms

• Additional documents as requested related to the information within the application

A corporate application shall be executed by the Secretary AND the President or Vice President. If you are a foreign corporation, please see that section.

The below items are required for the Secretary AND President or Vice President:

• Form 2687

• A recent photograph of head and shoulders only

  • If submitting files for multiple members, please ensure each filename clearly identifies the individual it belongs to

• Name and signatures on both portions of form 3039 (Agency Individuals and Agency Declarations)

• Fingerprints

  • Instructions will be sent after Form 2687 and recent photograph have been uploaded to application

• Form 225X (Convictions and Pending Charges), if applicable

The below items are required for the Corporation:

• Form 3039 (see above for who needs to sign)

  • Be sure to include the required officer titles of Secretary and either President or Vice President, even if an officer also has another title such as CEO

• Certificate of Authority from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution (DFI)

• Proof of insurance

  • Form 1482 AND Certificate of Liability Insurance

    • This is required if firearms will be required for employees

  • Form 1483 AND Bond

The below items may be required:

• Firearms Policy

  • Written policy that details the care, storage, and use of firearms

• Additional documents as requested related to the information within the application

Please note that a single-member LLC is a different legal business entity. If you are a single-member LLC, please review the LLC section for information on what to submit with your application.

The below items are required from the Sole Proprietor:

• Form 2687

• A recent photograph of head and shoulders only

• Form 3039

  • Name and signature on both portions of form 3039 (Agency Individuals and Agency Declarations)

• Fingerprints

  • Instructions will be sent after Form 2687 and recent photograph have been uploaded to application

• Form 225X (Convictions and Pending Charges), if applicable

• Proof of insurance

  • Form 1482 AND Certificate of Liability Insurance

    • This is required if firearms will be required for employees

  • Form 1483 AND Bond

The below items may be required:

• Firearms Policy

  • Written policy that details the care, storage, and use of firearms

• Additional documents as requested related to the information within the application

After you upload all required documents, submit your application, and pay the required fee(s):

1. Preliminary Application Reference Number (PAR)

   1. Your application will be assigned a Preliminary Application Reference number or PAR number. This number allows you and trusted parties to look up the status of your application without logging in. You can also reference this number in any support tickets you submit in regard to your application.

      • A trusted 3^rd party can look up your credential status by visiting LicensE, clicking “Application Status Lookup” and entering the PAR number you have provided to them.

2. Review Timeline

   1. Your materials will be reviewed within approximately 10 days by a member of the credentialing team.

      • Note: Some licenses do take longer to process due to complexity. You can see the performance data on our LicensE Dashboard to see what date we are reviewing for certain application types under "Application Review Times by Profession."

3. Pending Applicant Input Status

   1. After this review, if anything is missing or the credentialing team has any questions on your application, your application will go back into a status called “Pending Applicant Input.”  You will receive an email letting you know your application was moved into this status. You should then log into LicensE and check your application “Due Diligence.”

4. To check your "Due Diligence" 

   1. Your Due Diligence is a checklist of items required for your credential.

   2. The Due Diligence section is how DSPS staff will communicate with you regarding your credential requirements.

   3. Log in to your LicensE account

   4. Click on "Check Application Status" 

   5. Your credential application should be shown on this page. Under “Action” select the button that looks like an upside-down triangle. If you are on mobile, you will need to turn your phone into landscape view. Note: LicensE is best viewed on a desktop or laptop.

   6. After clicking the upside-down triangle, select “View Due Diligences.”

   7. The Due Diligence column lets you know what the requirement is.

   8. The “STATUS” column will you know if the item is “Met”, “Not Met”, or “Not Applicable.”

      • Items listed as “Not Met” are items that are needed by the Department.  

   9. The “NOTES” column of your Due Diligence will provide further written details or instructions about what is still needed.

5. To upload documents

   1. Some applications require additional document uploads.

   2. Log into your LicensE account

   3. Click on "Check Application Status"

   4. Your credential application should be shown on this page. Under "Action" select the button that looks like an upside-down triangle. If you are on mobile, you will need to turn your phone into landscape view. Note: LicensE is best viewed on a desktop or laptop. 

   5. After clicking the upside-down triangle, select "Upload Document."

   6. The document must be an allowable document type. 

   7. After uploading the document, click "submit." If you do not, it will not be sent to a reviewer. 

6. If you have any questions, you can submit a support ticket on LicensE by logging in and clicking "request support" at the top of the page.

LicensE statuses that require action from applicant:

LicensE statuses that indicate the application is with Department staff:

Support Ticket
Submit a support ticket on LicensE and click "request support." Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your concern so we can work to answer your question with a one touch resolution. 

Call
608-266-2112

Email
dsps@wisconsin.gov

Office Hours
7:45am-4:30pm
Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI, 53705

Note: The in-person office does not process same day.