§ 47-2839. Private detectives; "detective" defined; regulations.
(a) Private detectives, or detective agencies, by whatsoever name called, shall pay a license tax of $158 per annum; provided, that no license shall be issued under this section without the approval of the Chief of Police.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term "detective" or "detective agency" means and includes any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of, or advertising, or representing himself, or itself, as being engaged in the business of detecting, discovering, or revealing crime or criminals, or securing information for evidence relating thereto, or discovering or revealing the identity, whereabouts, character, or actions of any person or persons, thing or things.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of detective, or operate, manage, or conduct a detective agency, for profit or gain, or to advertise or represent his business to be that of a detective, or that of conducting, managing, or operating a detective agency, without first obtaining a license so to do.
(d) The Council of the District of Columbia is authorized and empowered to make such reasonable regulations as it deems advisable for the government and conduct of the business of private detectives licensed hereunder, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized and empowered to revoke the license of a private detective when in his judgment such is deemed advisable in the public interest.
(e) All laws which govern the Metropolitan Police force of the District of Columbia in the matters of persons, property, or money shall be applicable to all private detectives licensed hereunder, and such detectives shall make like returns and dispositions of such matters as is required by existing law and the rules of the Mayor of the District of Columbia governing the Metropolitan Police Department.
(f) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall be issued as a Class A Public Safety endorsement to a master business license under the master business license system as set forth in subchapter I-A of this chapter.
Source link: DC Code
EXCEPTIONS:
§ 47-2851.02. License required.
(a) No person shall engage in or carry on any business in the District of Columbia without having first obtained a master business license and any necessary endorsements in accordance with this subchapter; provided, however, that no license shall be required of:
(1) A person who does not maintain a business address in the District of Columbia and who engages in business only in affiliation with a licensed business providing the same or similar services; or
(2) A person whose annual gross receipts are $2,000 or less in any calendar year; provided, that the person is not required to obtain a license under one of the Class A License endorsement categories set forth in § 47-2851.03.
(b) Each license shall specify the particular business or businesses the licensee is authorized to operate, as defined by District law or regulation, and no licensee shall be permitted to engage in activities outside the scope of the license.
(c) A license shall be required for each business location.
(d) No person issued a license under this subchapter shall willfully allow any other person required to obtain a separate license to operate under his or her license.
(e) Licenses granted under this subchapter may be assigned or transferred upon approval by the Department and payment of the applicable fee.
Source link: DC Code
TO APPLY:
Security Officers Management Branch
Metro Police Security Unit
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
phn: 202-671-0500
fax: 202-673-7418
(Web site pending till 2010)