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BSIS licensing update: baton permits, separate qualified-manager licenses, fingerprint delays and planned fee adjustments
Summary
BSIS said baton permits are now issued through the bureau's portal, qualified manager status will become a separate license type, DOJ fingerprint backlogs continue to delay approvals, and the bureau plans fee increases to address fund shortfalls.
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services licensing staff gave the advisory committee an update on implementation steps and forthcoming changes to licensure processing.
Assistant Chief Sam Studalski and Licensing Deputy Chief Andrea Daley reported the bureau implemented the new baton-permit process this year: the paper application went live in January and the online portal opened in February. Daley, who was recently appointed deputy chief of licensing, told the committee staff have not encountered major technical problems and are working with training facilities to complete the transition.
The bureau said it will implement new separate qualified-manager (QM) licenses under AB 1244 (the change will make QM an individual license, permitting discipline and renewal separate from the company license). Sam explained that historically QMs were a designation tied to an examination and not a standalone license; under the planned change the QM will become a separate license and holders will receive renewal notices when the change takes effect.
Staff reminded applicants that the California Department of Justice fingerprint processing remains slower than usual and can be the primary cause of delays; the bureau said DOJ processing times have at times stretched to six weeks or more. The bureau also encouraged online application and renewal, citing faster processing when applicants submit complete, accurate materials.
On fees, the bureau said a multi-year audit previously recommended larger increases; the bureau raised fees earlier (about 30%) and now proposes an additional increase within statutory authority (roughly another 10% remaining under previously authorized increases) to stabilize the fund and cover staffing and enforcement needs. The bureau said it plans to pursue fee regulations later this year and expects more detailed updates in the fall.
Ending: Licensing staff said they will continue outreach to training providers, publish updated FAQs and application instructions, and provide further updates on fee regulation development at future meetings.
