Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensing Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Private Investigation board cites contract delays, notes Florida reciprocity and speedy licensing turnaround
Summary
The Private Investigation Board told the committee it has improved licensing turnaround, gained reciprocity with Florida, and is working through a contract that was signed retroactively by the governor’s office, creating a delay for the board.
Claire Austin, executive director for the Alabama Private Investigation Board, told the Joint Sunset Committee that the board had worked to resolve administrative problems and had won reciprocal licensing with Florida after legislation passed last year.
Austin said the board’s contract review was delayed in the governor’s office and the contracts for private investigators and assisted living administrators were signed retroactively in July 2025. “They signed the contract and, back to September 2024. And that happened on both contracts for PI and for assisted living,” Austin said.
Austin described casework and complaint handling: one complaint she said had been resolved after multiple letters and a judge’s review, with a final letter in July 2023; a second originated from a social‑media posting and ended with a final letter dated July 17, 2024. She emphasized the board’s customer service: offices open at 7:30 a.m., live‑answer phones, application turnaround in 24 hours, and same‑day issuance of certificates and ID cards once background checks and fees are complete. Austin said typical licensing can be completed within about seven days depending on background checks.
Representative Underwood and Representative Wilcox questioned procedural and cost issues; Austin said the board is labor intensive because of a new apprentice license, additional paperwork and mentoring requirements, and that most applicants pay $300 every two years for licensure. She also told the committee the board was under budget for the prior year and had deposits exceeding operating revenue.
There were no formal board votes reported during the hearing.
