Ever wonder who regulates Executive Protection? What “license” is needed? Who governs it? “C” or “D”? Good or Bad?
Who Regulates Executive Protection?
In most every state, there is no oversight of the Executive Protection Industry. No licenses, no state certifications.
At ESS Global Corp, much like the rest of the Executive Protection and Security industry, we are eagerly awaiting the day when Executive Protection will have its own license. No more wondering if you need a C, D or any other letter in the alphabet license that there is.
For years, industry professionals have been trying to figure out why Executive Protection has been lumped under the same license as Private Investigation. Especially when the two industries are so extremely different. We all know that the State-mandated C License course covers about 2% of what you need to know to work in the Executive Protection industry. But the fact that Executive Protection is lumped under the C License has made it a bit more difficult for those with aspirations of entering the Executive Protection industry.
But, is that a bad thing? Let’s talk about Executive Protection being just under the D License.
What would happen if lumped in with the “D” License?
Now, the requirements to enter the Executive Protection industry would be much easier if it were classified under the class D License, but at the same time, what types of individuals would now, by law, qualify to do Executive Protection work?
You got it!
Those same lackluster individuals that sat next to you in your D License training course that you said in the back of your mind, “I can’t believe this guy is going to be protecting somebody or securing an area!” Just think, you and Paul Blart working the same Executive Protection detail! The mall cop next to you during your threat analysis…
And let’s talk about what this will do to the pay rates in the Executive Protection industry. Now that any security guard qualifies as an Executive Protection agent (by law only), prospective clients will use those same security rates when it comes to pay. Additionally, you’ll see security companies offering Executive Protection services (because they can by law) and asking for security guard rates. This will totally undercut true Executive Protection companies and lower the bar for the entire industry. There are companies already doing this is the “D” arena. You know of them. They bid jobs at ridiculously low rates and then put out a Craigslist ad to fill them.
Well, we hope you found this insightful – Until then, stay alert and stay safe!