The below list of accepted courses is a summation of A.C.A. 17-40-101 through 350 as well as the Rules and Regulations of the Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies. It is not intended to replace either of those documents. Each person that looks at our list should also consult the original text for accuracy.

Sales

Sales staff are called Alarm Agents by our licensing board and include those individuals “that sell on site, performs a survey of the premises to be protected, or responds to alarm signal devices, burglar alarms, or cameras.” There are currently two options for training. Only one of the two must be successfully passed to become an Alarm Agent.

Note: The requirements for Agents and Technicians are identical. An Agent can ONLY sell, while a technician can sell, install, service and repair. It is strongly recommended by the Licensing Board to register ALL sales persons and technicians as “Technicians.”

Alarm Agents must take and successfully pass one of the options listed below.

  • NESA – Level I Course
  • ESA (formerly NBFAA) – Level I Course
  • NICET Level II (fire)

Technicians

“Alarm systems technician” means any individual employed by an alarm systems company who installs, services or repairs on site. There are currently two options for training. Only one of the listed courses must be successfully passed to become a technician.

Note: The requirements for Agents and Technicians are identical. An Agent can ONLY sell, while a technician can sell, install, service and repair. It is strongly recommended by the Licensing Board to register ALL sales persons and technicians as “Technicians.”

Technicians must take and successfully pass one of the options listed below.

  • NESA- Level I Course
  • ESA (formerly NBFAA)- Level I Course
  • NICET Level II  (fire)

Managers

Every alarm company must have one manager. This person is: “in the case of a corporation, an officer or supervisor, or, in the case of a partnership, a general or unlimited partner meeting the experience qualifications set forth in A.C.A. 17-40-306 for managing a security services contractor or an investigations company.” There are currently three options for training.

Managers must obtain certifications from one of the options listed below.

  • NESA – Electronics & Fire Installation & Wiring Codes (both courses)
  • ESA (formerly NBFAA)- Level I, Level 2A – Electronic or ABAT & Level 2B Fire System Standards or FAIM (all three courses)
  • NICET – Fire Level III (must be Level III)

Monitors

Central station operators are designated as “Monitors” by our board. They are defined as “any individual employed by an alarm systems company who monitors or responds…”

There are currently no training requirements for monitors.

Training

The only thing worse than training an employee and having them leave, is to not train them, and have them stay.
– Zig Ziglar