§ 37:3514 — Investigator registrant; card; application; qualifications; investigation; denial, suspension, or revocation; validity; renewal; change of address

A.(1) Each person who in performing the functions and duties of a private investigator in this state on August 21, 1992, shall have one hundred eighty days after the board is duly constituted to apply to the board for a registration card.
(2) A registration card may be issued to an apprentice by the board pending issuance of a permanent registration card. The registration card for the apprentice shall be valid for not more than one year.
(3) Individuals required to obtain a registration card under the provisions of this Chapter shall request an application form from the board and upon completion thereof shall immediately forward the sworn application to the board.
(4)(a) The board shall prescribe by rule the form for such applications and procedures for their submission, consideration, and disposition, including the fee to accompany the application.
(b) To be eligible to apply for a registration card, an individual shall have the same qualifications required of an applicant listed under R.S. 37:3507.
B. Each investigator shall carry his registration card whenever he is performing the duties of a private investigator, and it shall be exhibited upon request. The registration card shall entitle the registrant to perform the duties of a private investigator as long as the registrant maintains his eligibility under the provisions of this Chapter.
C. The registration card shall bear the name of the employer, an identifying number, photograph, and any other identifying data required by the board.
D. After receipt of an application for a registration card, the board shall conduct an investigation to determine whether the facts set forth in the application are true. Actions by the board to approve or deny an application for a registration card shall be the same as that action taken to deny or approve an application for license as provided under R.S. 37:3510.
E.(1) In the event that the board denies, suspends, or revokes a registration card, the cardholder, upon receipt of the notice of denial, suspension, or revocation, shall immediately cease to perform the duties of a private investigator, unless specifically authorized to continue work by order of the board or by a court of competent jurisdiction within the state.
(2) Both the cardholder and the employer shall be notified by the board of its final action to deny, suspend, or revoke a registration card.
F.(1) Registration cards issued by the board shall be valid for one year. The registrant shall be required to advise the board of any changes in his status or permanent address during that period. The cardholder shall file a registration card renewal form with the board not less than thirty days prior to the expiration of the card, together with the fee for renewal. The renewal application shall include a statement by the registrant that he continues to meet the qualifications for a private investigator as set forth by the board. The renewal application shall be accompanied by a statement from a licensee that the registrant has satisfactorily completed the required training as prescribed by the board.
(2) The board may refuse to renew a registration card and shall promptly notify the cardholder of its intent to refuse. The cardholder, within fifteen days after receipt of such notice, may request a hearing on the refusal, in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedure as that provided in R.S. 37:3510.
(3) A licensee or employer shall notify the board within ten days after the death or termination of employment of any of its employees who are registrants. Licensees or employers subject to this Chapter shall notify the board within ten days upon receipt of information relating to a registrant's loss of eligibility to hold such a card.
G.(1) Any individual who changes his permanent residence to this state from any other state which the board determines has selection, training, and similar requirements at least equal to those required under this Chapter, and who holds a valid registration, commission, identification, or similar card issued by the other state through the licensee, may apply for a registration card on a form prescribed by the board upon the payment of a transfer fee. Upon certification by the licensee that the individual has completed the training prescribed by the other state, the board shall issue the individual a registration card.
(2) In the event that a person who holds a registration card terminates employment with one employer and is reemployed within five calendar days as an investigator with another employer, the new employer, within seventy-two hours of such reemployment, shall submit to the board a notice of the change on a form prescribed by the board, together with a transfer fee. The board shall then issue a new registration card reflecting the name of the new employer.
(3) Upon receipt of that new card, the cardholder shall immediately return the old card to the board. The holder may continue to work as an investigator for the new employer while the board is processing the change in application. The holder of a registration card who terminates employment and who is not reemployed as an investigator within five calendar days, shall surrender, within twenty-four hours of the fifth calendar day, the registration card to the former employer. The employer shall return the cancelled registration card to the board within five business days after receiving it.
H. A registration card shall be subject to expiration and renewal during the period in which the holder of the card is subject to an order of suspension.

Legislative History

Acts 1992, No. 245, §2; Acts 1999, No. 675, §1.