Today a male subject approached me as I was entering my home here in WW. He was carrying an alarm company sign and notebook (there were two of them canvasing the neighborhood). He walked right past my alarm company sign in the front yard as I said "See the sign?". He started to leave and I asked him "Are you licensed to sell alarms?". He said no, but the guy he was working for is. I told him that is not good enough. Anyone in the state of California that sells or installs alarm systems must be properly licensed. This is to protect the consumer from unscrupulous (and possibly dangerous) salespersons and installers.
Licensing requires registration, fingerprinting and a background check with the Department of Justice and the FBI before a license is granted. You do not want a convicted felon or criminal selling you something that is designed to protect you against people with bad intentions. These sales persons (and installers) will be in your home, around your valuables that you are attempting to protect. Do you really want to take the chance of someone being a criminal doing work in your home.
Background checks attempt to prevent this.
ALWAYS REQUEST AN ID AND A LICENSE WITH THE NAME OF THE PERSON PERFORMING THE SALES CONTACT OR DOING THE INSTALLATION. VERIFY THE LICENSE AT THE WEBSITE REFERENCED BELOW. MAKE SURE THE LICENSE IS VALID AND CURRENT.
http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/alarm_fact.shtmlAlarm Agent
An Alarm Agent is employed by an alarm company operator to sell (at the buyer's home or business), install, monitor, maintain, service, or respond to alarm systems or to supervise such actions. To be eligible to apply for registration as an alarm agent, you must meet the following requirements:
Be 18 or older
Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI; and
Pass the Power to Arrest examination (if your duties will include responding to alarm activations). This follows a eight-hour training course covering responsibilities and ethics in citizen's arrest, relationship with police, limitations on Power to Arrest, restrictions on searches and seizures, criminal and civil liabilities, terrorism, code of ethics and personal and employer liability. The training and exam may be administered by any licensed alarm company operator or qualified manager. A copy of the Alarm Company Act will be provided on request for a fee.
To apply for an Alarm Agent registration, submit a completed application, a $17 registration fee and an Alarm Company Employee Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ processing fee and a $17 FBI processing fee must be paid for each applicant at the Live Scan site. Send the application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.
Once you have submitted your application and the appropriate fees, you may work with a temporary registration card as an unarmed alarm agent if you have not been convicted of a crime. Disclaimer: I am an alarm employee that is licensed to sell and install and work for a licensed company. I give this advice to anyone regardless of who they are looking at for an estimate or installation. It is in your best interest to make sure everyone involved in protecting your valuables is honest and reputable.
